CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) is critical to three-dimensional genome organization. Upon differentiation, CTCF insulates active and repressed genes within Hox gene clusters. We conducted a genome-wide CRISPR knockout (KO) screen to identify genes required for CTCF-boundary activity at the HoxA cluster, complemented by biochemical approaches. Among the candidates, we identified Myc-associated zinc-finger protein (MAZ) as a cofactor in CTCF insulation. MAZ colocalizes with CTCF at chromatin borders and, similar to CTCF, interacts with the cohesin subunit RAD21. MAZ KO disrupts gene expression and local contacts within topologically associating domains. Similar to CTCF motif deletions, MAZ motif deletions lead to derepression of posterior Hox genes immediately after CTCF boundaries upon differentiation, giving rise to homeotic transformations in mouse. Thus, MAZ is a factor contributing to appropriate insulation, gene expression and genomic architecture during development. Genome-wide screens identify several genes, including MAZ, required for CTCF-mediated insulation. MAZ interacts with cohesin, and MAZ motif deletions derepress posterior Hox gene expression, leading to homeotic transformations in mouse.
CRISPR and biochemical screens identify MAZ as a cofactor in CTCF-mediated insulation at Hox clusters
Havva Ortabozkoyun,Pin-Yao Huang,Hyun-Ah Cho,V. Narendra,G. Leroy,Edgar Gonzalez-Buendia,J. Skok,A. Tsirigos,E. Mazzoni,D. Reinberg
Published 2022 in Nature Genetics
ABSTRACT
PUBLICATION RECORD
- Publication year
2022
- Venue
Nature Genetics
- Publication date
2022-02-01
- Fields of study
Biology, Medicine
- Identifiers
- External record
- Source metadata
Semantic Scholar, PubMed
CITATION MAP
EXTRACTION MAP
CLAIMS
- No claims are published for this paper.
CONCEPTS
- No concepts are published for this paper.
REFERENCES
CITED BY
Showing 1-77 of 77 citing papers · Page 1 of 1