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Metabolism-YEATS-crosstalk: Elucidating metabolic dependencies of epigenetic YEATS action

Project description

Inducible YEATS degradation platform to explore genomic context

Metabolism and gene regulation shape cellular identity through metabolites like acyl-CoAs, which modify histones and activate transcription. While novel post-translational modifications (PTMs), such as crotonylation, are emerging, the role of YEATS-reader proteins and their relevance in cancer remain largely unexplored. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the M-Y-cro project will establish an inducible YEATS degradation platform to investigate the genomic context under various acylation conditions. It will implement a fluorescence-based cell reporter system to identify potential interactors using a CRISPR knockout library targeting metabolic enzymes. Identified candidates will undergo biophysical characterisation, and their metabolic impact within the epigenetic landscape will be assessed in relevant cancer cell lines.

Objective

Metabolism and gene regulations act in concert to shape cellular identity and plasticity. One major line of crosstalk occurs through metabolites such as acyl-CoAs, which are inscribed on histones as posttranslational modifications (PTMs) to be subsequently recognised by reader proteins, resulting in initiation of specific transcriptional programs. The increasing identification of novel PTMs necessitates thorough characterisation, however still remain largely underexplored. For instance, the presence of non-acetyl acyl-Lys PTMs such as crotonylation with YEATS-reader proteins identified to bind these PTMs suggests complex gene regulation programs. However, despite the clinical relevance of YEATS-proteins in various cancers, little is known about their acyl-reading activity and transcriptional consequences. Therefore, this proposal aims to close multiple knowledge gaps regarding overall function and mechanism of the metabolism/acyl-PTM/YEATS communication axis. Considering the metabolic context, I furthermore propose epigenetic YEATS action to be determined by direct interactions with metabolic proteins.
Thus, I will first establish an inducible YEATS-degradation platform to characterise the genomic context under various acylate conditions. Next, I will implement a fluorescence-based cell reporter system, which shall reveal putative interactors upon transfection with a CRISPR-KO library targeting metabolic enzymes. Lastly, hits will be biophysically characterized, their metabolic impact within the epigenetic context determined and co-dependencies on relevant cancer cell lines tested. The interdisciplinary approach entailing state-of-the-art chemical and molecular biology tools will be combined with high-throughput screening methods and bioinformatic analyses. Besides elucidating general principles of the metabolism-YEATS epigenetics crosstalk, the results will provide valuable information for novel therapeutic avenues by exploiting identified co-dependencies.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01

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Coordinator

CEMM - FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM FUER MOLEKULARE MEDIZIN GMBH
Net EU contribution
€ 183 600,96
Address
LAZARETTGASSE 14 AKH BT 25.3
1090 Wien
Austria
Region
Ostösterreich Wien Wien
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
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Total cost
No data