PGC7 Regulates Genome-Wide DNA Methylation by Regulating ERK-Mediated Subcellular Localization of DNMT1

DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that plays a vital role in a variety of biological processes, including the regulation of gene expression, cell differentiation, early embryonic development, genomic imprinting, and X chromosome inactivation. PGC7 is a maternal factor that maintains DNA...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Xing Wei, Yingxiang Liu, Weijie Hao, Peiwen Feng, Lei Zhang, Hongni Xue, Qunli Zhou, Zekun Guo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-02-01
Series:International Journal of Molecular Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/4/3093
Description
Summary:DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that plays a vital role in a variety of biological processes, including the regulation of gene expression, cell differentiation, early embryonic development, genomic imprinting, and X chromosome inactivation. PGC7 is a maternal factor that maintains DNA methylation during early embryonic development. One mechanism of action has been identified by analyzing the interactions between PGC7 and UHRF1, H3K9 me2, or TET2/TET3, which reveals how PGC7 regulates DNA methylation in oocytes or fertilized embryos. However, the mechanism by which PGC7 regulates the post-translational modification of methylation-related enzymes remains to be elucidated. This study focused on F9 cells (embryonic cancer cells), which display high levels of PGC7 expression. We found that both knockdown of <i>Pgc7</i> and inhibition of ERK activity resulted in increased genome-wide DNA methylation levels. Mechanistic experiments confirmed that inhibition of ERK activity led to the accumulation of DNMT1 in the nucleus, ERK phosphorylated DNMT1 at ser717, and DNMT1 Ser717-Ala mutation promoted the nuclear localization of DNMT1. Moreover, knockdown of <i>Pgc7</i> also caused downregulation of ERK phosphorylation and promoted the accumulation of DNMT1 in the nucleus. In conclusion, we reveal a new mechanism by which PGC7 regulates genome-wide DNA methylation via phosphorylation of DNMT1 at ser717 by ERK. These findings may provide new insights into treatments for DNA methylation-related diseases.
ISSN:1661-6596
1422-0067