Single-Cell 5-Formylcytosine Landscapes of Mammalian Early Embryos and ESCs at Single-Base Resolution

Publication date: Available online 23 March 2017
Source:Cell Stem Cell
Author(s): Chenxu Zhu, Yun Gao, Hongshan Guo, Bo Xia, Jinghui Song, Xinglong Wu, Hu Zeng, Kehkooi Kee, Fuchou Tang, Chengqi Yi
Active DNA demethylation in mammals involves ten-eleven translocation (TET) family protein-mediated oxidation of 5-methylcytosine (5mC). However, base-resolution landscapes of 5-formylcytosine (5fC) (an oxidized derivative of 5mC) at the single-cell level remain unexplored. Here, we present "CLEVER-seq" (chemical-labeling-enabled C-to-T conversion sequencing), which is a single-cell, single-base resolution 5fC-sequencing technology, based on biocompatible, selective chemical labeling of 5fC and subsequent C-to-T conversion during amplification and sequencing. CLEVER-seq shows intrinsic 5fC heterogeneity in mouse early embryos, Epi stem cells (EpiSCs), and embryonic stem cells (ESCs). CLEVER-seq of mouse early embryos also reveals the highly patterned genomic distribution and parental-specific dynamics of 5fC during mouse early pre-implantation development. Integrated analysis demonstrates that promoter 5fC production precedes the expression upregulation of a clear set of developmentally and metabolically critical genes. Collectively, our work reveals the dynamics of active DNA demethylation during mouse pre-implantation development and provides an important resource for further functional studies of epigenetic reprogramming in single cells.

Graphical abstract

Teaser

CLEVER-seq is a single-cell, single-base resolution whole-genome 5fC-sequencing technology. CLEVER-seq reveals intrinsic 5fC heterogeneity in mouse early embryos, EpiSCs, and ESCs and dissects its highly patterned genomic distributions. During mouse pre-implantation development, 5fC shows parental-specific signatures, and promoter 5fC production precedes the upregulation of corresponding gene expression.


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