Uhrf1 control the proliferation and the differentiation of satellite cells [MBD-seq]

DNA methylation is an essential epigenetic regulation for cellular identity. In muscle stem cells, termed satellite cells, DNA methylation patterns are dynamically changed during muscle regeneration. However, how these DNA methylation patterns are maintained remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that a key epigenetic regulator Uhrf1 (ubiquitin-like with PHD and RING finger domains 1) is activated in proliferating but not expressed in quiescent or differentiated satellite cells. Ablation of Uhrf1 in satellite cell impairs the proliferation and differentiation of satellite cells, leading to failure of muscle regeneration. Loss of Uhrf1 in satellite cells alters transcriptional programs and leads to DNA hypomethylation with the activation of Cdkn1a and Notch signalling. Down-regulation of Cdkn1a and Notch signalling rescued the proliferation and differentiation defect in Uhrf1-deficient satellite cells. Therefore, this study suggest that Uhrf1 can regulate the self-renewal and differentiation of satellite cells through DNA methylation patterning. MBD2-Seq of activated satellite cells in vitro from Control and Uhrf1-deficient mice in satellite cells.