Cited by 138Genomics and Chromatin DynamicsChromatin Remodeling and CancerEpigenetics and DNA Methylation

Mechanisms governing the pioneering and redistribution capabilities of the non-classical pioneer PU.1

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Minderjahn, Julia, Schmidt, Andreas, Fuchs, Andreas, Schill, Rudolf, Raithel, Johanna, Babina, Magda, Schmidl, Christian, Gebhard, Claudia +11 more·2020·Nature Communications

Abstract

Establishing gene regulatory networks during differentiation or reprogramming requires master or pioneer transcription factors (TFs) such as PU.1, a prototype master TF of hematopoietic lineage differentiation. To systematically determine molecular features that control its activity, here we analyze DNA-binding in vitro and genome-wide in vivo across different cell types with native or ectopic PU.1 expression. Although PU.1, in contrast to classical pioneer factors, is unable to access nucleosomal target sites in vitro, ectopic induction of PU.1 leads to the extensive remodeling of chromatin and redistribution of partner TFs. De novo chromatin access, stable binding, and redistribution of partner TFs both require PU.1's N-terminal acidic activation domain and its ability to recruit SWI/SNF remodeling complexes, suggesting that the latter may collect and distribute co-associated TFs in conjunction with the non-classical pioneer TF PU.1.

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Crossref · 10.1038/s41467-019-13960-2

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  • PU.1 binds specific DNA sequences known as ETS motifs, which are located predominantly in enhancers but also in promoters of target genes.

    “PU.1, as an ETS family transcription factor, binds specific DNA sequences known as ETS motifs, which are located predominantly in the enhancers but also in the promoters of target genes [30, 31].”

    From Targeting Microglial Transcriptional Reprogramming as a Therapy Strategy for Alzheimer's Disease (2026) · cites this paper as [31]

    The Results sections on PU.1 binding and ETS-family interactions show that PU.1 binds sequence-specific motifs and that PU.1-binding sites can occur in promoters. The Discussion links PU.1 to enhancer establishment, but the passages do not establish that its binding sites are predominantly in enhancers rather than promoters. Page numbers are unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.83)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • PU.1, IRF8, and BHLHE40/41 regulate multiple downstream targets that orchestrate microglial immune response functions, including phagocytosis, cytokine production, and inflammatory signaling.

    “PU.1, IRF8, and BHLHE40/41 regulates multiple downstream targets that orchestrate microglial immune response functions, including phagocytosis, cytokine production, and inflammatory signaling”

    From Targeting Microglial Transcriptional Reprogramming as a Therapy Strategy for Alzheimer's Disease (2026) · cites this paper as [31]

    The Results section, “Immediate consequences of de novo PU.1 expression” (page unavailable), reports that PU.1 induces genes associated with myeloid activation and differentiation. The Introduction identifies IRF8 as a PU.1 interaction partner. Our copy does not establish that PU.1, IRF8, and BHLHE40/41 jointly regulate downstream targets in microglia, or link them to the specified functions of phagocytosis, cytokine production, and inflammatory signaling. (LLM, conf=0.87)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • PU.1 is a non-canonical pioneer transcription factor that functions as a master regulator of myeloid and lymphoid lineage differentiation.

    “PU.1, a non-canonical pioneer transcription factor that functions as a master regulator of myeloid and lymphoid lineage differentiation18–20.”
  • This suggests compromised differentiation-relevant chromatin rearrangement.

    “suggesting a compromised differentiation-relevant chromatin rearrangement, in line with recent reports (41).”
  • Exceptions to the rule that PU.1 binding is largely unperturbed by DNA methylation have been reported.

    “exceptions have been reported in the past (41).”

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Authors
Minderjahn, J., Schmidt, A., Fuchs, A., Schill, R., Raithel, J., Babina, M., Schmidl, C., Gebhard, C., Schmidhofer, S., Mendes, K., Ratermann, A., Glatz, D., Nützel, M., Edinger, M., Hoffmann, P., Spang, R., Längst, G., Imhof, A., & Rehli, M.
Affiliations
  • University Hospital Regensburg (DE)
  • Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (DE)
  • University of Regensburg (DE)
  • Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (DE)
  • Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont (CA)
Corresponding author
Rehli, Michael
Venue
Nature Communications
Published
2020-01-21
Volume
11
Issue
1
Pages
402-402
ISSN
2041-1723 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3000851240
Cited by
136
References
56
Citations by year
2026: 19 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 36 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 13
FWCI
5.27
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature Communications (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • University of Regensburg Publication Server (University of Regensburg) (acceptedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Open access LMU (Ludwid Maxmilian's Universitat Munchen) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • University of Regensburg Publication Server (University of Regensburg)
Funders
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (RE 1310/17)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Chromatin Remodeling and Cancer
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
Keywords
PU.1, pioneer transcription factors, hematopoietic differentiation, chromatin remodeling, SWI/SNF complex, nucleosome accessibility, transcription factor-DNA binding, gene regulatory networks, transcriptional reprogramming
MeSH terms
Protein Domains, RNA-Seq, Proto-Oncogene Protein Spi-1, Binding Sites, Cell Differentiation, Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone, DNA, Hematopoiesis, Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Humans, Leukapheresis, Nucleosomes, Proto-Oncogene Proteins, Trans-Activators, Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly, Cell Line, Tumor, Gene Regulatory Networks, Healthy Volunteers

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