Cited by 205Genomics and Chromatin DynamicsChromatin Remodeling and CancerEpigenetics and DNA Methylation

CTCF-dependent enhancer-blocking by alternative chromatin loop formation

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Hou, Chunhui, Zhao, Hui, Tanimoto, Keiji, Dean, Ann·2008·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Abstract

The mechanism underlying enhancer-blocking by insulators is unclear. We explored the activity of human beta-globin HS5, the orthologue of the CTCF-dependent chicken HS4 insulator. An extra copy of HS5 placed between the beta-globin locus control region (LCR) and downstream genes on a transgene fulfills the classic predictions for an enhancer-blocker. Ectopic HS5 does not perturb the LCR but blocks gene activation by interfering with RNA pol II, activator and coactivator recruitment, and epigenetic modification at the downstream beta-globin gene. Underlying these effects, ectopic HS5 disrupts chromatin loop formation between beta-globin and the LCR, and instead forms a new loop with endogenous HS5 that topologically isolates the LCR. Both enhancer-blocking and insulator-loop formation depend on an intact CTCF site in ectopic HS5 and are sensitive to knock-down of the CTCF protein by siRNA. Thus, intrinsic looping activity of CTCF sites can nullify LCR function.

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  • Transgene assays of the human β-globin locus showed that two insulator sites binding CTCF could form a chromatin loop.

    “Transgene assays of the human β-globin locus then showed that two insulator sites binding CTCF could form a chromatin loop [332].”
  • In erythroid cells expressing globin genes, a large CTCF-CTCF loop encompasses the beta-globin genes and the locus control region (LCR), consistent with the organization of the locus in an insulated neighborhood.

    “In erythroid cells expressing globin genes, a large CTCF-CTCF loop encompasses the beta-globin genes and the locus control region (LCR), consistent with the organization of the locus in an insulated neighborhood.”

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Authors
Hou, C., Zhao, H., Tanimoto, K., & Dean, A.
Affiliations
  • National Institutes of Health (US)
  • University of Tsukuba (JP)
Corresponding author
Dean, Ann
Venue
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Published
2008-12-23
Volume
105
Issue
51
Pages
20398-20403
ISSN
  • 0027-8424 (ISSN-L)
  • 1091-6490
OpenAlex
W2069172573
Cited by
205
References
44
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 15
FWCI
5.48
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (20678002)
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
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
CTCF, enhancer blocking, insulators, chromatin looping, locus control region, beta-globin, RNA polymerase II recruitment, coactivator recruitment, epigenetic modifications, topologically associating domains, chromatin topology
MeSH terms
CCCTC-Binding Factor, Chromatin, DNA-Binding Proteins, Gene Expression Regulation, Humans, Repressor Proteins, Transgenes, Locus Control Region, Insulator Elements, Epigenesis, Genetic, beta-Globins

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