Smarcad1 coordinates innate immunity-linked gene expression in the intestinal epithelium [sorted cells RNA-seq]

Smarcad1 is one of the most conserved chromatin remodelling factors, from yeast to human, with suggested functions in gene silencing, heterochromatin maintenance and genome stability. However, its role in tissue function is poorly understood. As this factor is highly expressed in the stem- and proliferative zone in the intestinal epithelium, we explored the role of this factor in this tissue. Intestine tissue-specific deletion of Smarcad1 resulted in notable changes in gene expression in the small intestine, colon and organoids from small intestine. Strikingly, we found an increase of expression of several genes linked to innate immunity and a dramatic increase of a Bglap3 coding for an osteocalcin isoform, a protein normally expressed in osteoblasts.