Retrospective analysis of enhancer activity and transcriptome history

Ruben Boers; Joachim Boers; Beatrice F. Tan; Marieke E. van Leeuwen; Evelyne Wassenaar; Erlantz Gonzalez Sanchez; Esther Sleddens–Linkels; Yasha Tenhagen; Eskeatnaf Mulugeta; Joop S.E. Laven; Menno P. Creyghton; Willy M. Baarends; Wilfred F. J. van IJcken; Joost H. Gribnau

doi:10.1038/s41587-023-01683-1

Developmental BiologyNature BiotechnologyFeb 23, 2023

Peer-reviewed journal article

Retrospective analysis of enhancer activity and transcriptome history

Ruben Boers iD, Joachim Boers iD, Beatrice F. Tan iD, Marieke E. van Leeuwen iD, Evelyne Wassenaar, Erlantz Gonzalez Sanchez iD, Esther Sleddens–Linkels, Yasha Tenhagen iD, Eskeatnaf Mulugeta iD, Joop S.E. Laven iD, Menno P. Creyghton iD, Willy M. Baarends iD, Wilfred F. J. van IJcken iD, Joost H. Gribnau iD

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Abstract

Cell state changes in development and disease are controlled by gene regulatory networks, the dynamics of which are difficult to track in real time. Here, we utilize an inducible DCM-RNA-polymerase-subunit-b fusion protein, to label active genes and enhancers with a bacterial methylation mark that does not affect gene transcription and is propagated in S-phase. We applied this DCM-time-machine (DCM-TM) technology to study intestinal homeostasis, following enterocyte differentiation back in time, revealing rapid and simultaneous activation of enhancers and nearby genes during intestinal stem cell (ISC) differentiation. We provide new insights in the absorptive-secretory lineage decision in ISC differentiation, and show that ISCs retain a unique chromatin landscape required to maintain ISC identity and delineate future expression of differentiation associated genes. DCM-TM has wide applicability in tracking cell states, providing new insights in the regulatory networks underlying cell state changes in development and differentiation.