Mechanisms of TET2 DNA demethylase recruitment to specific genomic regions

Project Information

TET2rec

Grant agreement ID: 796341

DOI

10.3030/796341

Project closed

EC signature date 20 February 2018

Start date 1 March 2018

End date 29 February 2020

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 200 194,80

EU contribution

€ 200 194,80

Coordinated by

KOBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET
Denmark

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - TET2rec (Mechanisms of TET2 DNA demethylase recruitment to specific genomic regions)

Reporting period: 2018-03-01 to 2020-02-29

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients frequently harbor mutations in the epigenetic modifier TET2, which is a DNA demethylase. DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that occurs predominantly at CpG dinucleotides and have a major impact on transcription. Accordingly, it plays key roles in cellular identity specification, and, when deregulated, in cancer. The importance of DNA methylation in cancer is underscored by the clinical use of hypomethylating agents in the treatment of AML and other myeloid disorders. DNA methylation is a reversible process and, only recently, it was discovered that TET (Ten-eleven Translocation) proteins mediate DNA demethylation. Jawed vertebrates have three TET homologues (TET1, TET2 and TET3). All TET proteins contain a C-terminal catalytic region. Remarkably, while TET1 and TET3 share an N-terminal DNA binding domain (CXXC motif), TET2 has lost its CXXC motif during evolution. Therefore, it is not understood how TET2 binds DNA. The main goal of this project is to understand how TET2 binds to specific regions of the genome.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

We have investigated the mechanisms of TET2 recruitment to DNA using different approaches including chromatin immunoprecipitation, RNA-sequencing and mass spectrometry. The hits identified hold great potential as TET2 interactors for future research. They can be used by scientists in academia to further elucidate the mechanism of TET2 function in health and disease.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Furthermore, the main researcher has acquired a deep knowledge of the hematology and epigenetics fields and expertise in a wide range of techniques. She has also improved her communication, teaching and science dissemination skills. Altogether, she has become a more mature and competitive scientist with an extended network of collaborators.

Tet2rec