p53 is essential for DNA methylation homeostasis in naive embryonic stem cells, and its loss promotes clonal heterogeneity

Ayala Tovy, Adam Spiro, Ryan McCarthy, Zohar Shipony, Yael Aylon, Kendra Allton, Elena Ainbinder, Noa Furth, Amos Tanay, Michelle Barton, Moshe Oren

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

DNA methylation is a key regulator of embryonic stem cell (ESC) biology, dynamically changing between naive, primed, and differentiated states. The p53 tumor suppressor is a pivotal guardian of genomic stability, but its contributions to epigenetic regulation and stem cell biology are less explored. We report that, in naive mouse ESCs (mESCs), p53 restricts the expression of the de novo DNA methyltransferases Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b while up-regulating Tet1 and Tet2, which promote DNA demethylation. The DNA methylation imbalance in p53-deficient (p53(-/-)) mESCs is the result of augmented overall DNA methylation as well as increased methylation landscape heterogeneity. In differentiating p53(-/-) mESCs, elevated methylation persists, albeit more mildly. Importantly, concomitant with DNA methylation heterogeneity, p53(-/-) mESCs display increased cellular heterogeneity both in the "naive" state and upon induced differentiation. This impact of p53 loss on 5-methylcytosine (5mC) heterogeneity was also evident in human ESCs and mouse embryos in vivo. Hence, p53 helps maintain DNA methylation homeostasis and clonal homogeneity, a function that may contribute to its tumor suppressor activity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)959-972
Number of pages14
JournalGenes & development
Volume31
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 May 2017

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Genetics
  • Developmental Biology

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