TET2 coactivates gene expression through demethylation of enhancers

L Wang, PA Ozark, ER Smith, Z Zhao, SA Marshall… - Science …, 2018 - science.org
L Wang, PA Ozark, ER Smith, Z Zhao, SA Marshall, EJ Rendleman, A Piunti, C Ryan…
Science advances, 2018science.org
The tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 (TET2) enzyme catalyzes the conversion of the
modified DNA base 5-methylcytosine to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine. TET2 is frequently
mutated or dysregulated in multiple human cancers, and loss of TET2 is associated with
changes in DNA methylation patterns. Here, using newly developed TET2-specific
antibodies and the estrogen response as a model system for studying the regulation of gene
expression, we demonstrate that endogenous TET2 occupies active enhancers and …
The tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 (TET2) enzyme catalyzes the conversion of the modified DNA base 5-methylcytosine to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine. TET2 is frequently mutated or dysregulated in multiple human cancers, and loss of TET2 is associated with changes in DNA methylation patterns. Here, using newly developed TET2-specific antibodies and the estrogen response as a model system for studying the regulation of gene expression, we demonstrate that endogenous TET2 occupies active enhancers and facilitates the proper recruitment of estrogen receptor α (ERα). Knockout of TET2 by CRISPR-CAS9 leads to a global increase of DNA methylation at enhancers, resulting in attenuation of the estrogen response. We further identified a positive feedback loop between TET2 and ERα, which further requires MLL3 COMPASS at these enhancers. Together, this study reveals an epigenetic axis coordinating a transcriptional program through enhancer activation via DNA demethylation.
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