Role of CCCTC binding factor (CTCF) and cohesin in the generation of single-cell diversity of Protocadherin-α gene expression

Kevin Monahan, Noam D. Rudnick, Polina D. Kehayova, Florencia Pauli, Kimberly M. Newberry, Richard M. Myers, Tom Maniatis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Extraordinary single-cell diversity is generated in the vertebrate nervous system by the combinatorial expression of the clustered protocadherin genes (Pcdhα, -β, and -γ). This diversity is generated by a combination of stochastic promoter choice and alternative premRNA splicing. Here we show that both the insulator-binding protein CTCF and the cohesin complex subunit Rad21 bind to two highly conserved DNA sequences, the first within and the second down-stream of transcriptionally active Pcdhα promoters. Both CTCF and Rad21 bind to these sites in vitro and in vivo, this binding directly correlates with alternative isoform expression, and knocking down CTCF expression reduces alternative isoform expression. Remarkably, a similarly spaced pair of CTCF/Rad21 binding sites was identified within a distant enhancer element (HS5-1), which is required for normal levels of alternative isoformexpression. We also identify an additional, unique regulatory role for cohesin, as Rad21 binds to another enhancer (HS7) independently of CTCF, and knockdown of Rad21 reduces expression of the constitutive, biallelically expressed Pcdhα isoforms αc1 and αc2.We propose that CTCF and the cohesin complex initiate and maintain Pcdhα promoter choice by mediating interactions between Pcdhα promoters and enhancers.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)9125-9130
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume109
Issue number23
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 5 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • DNA looping
  • Stochastic gene expression

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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