A WIZ/Cohesin/CTCF Complex Anchors DNA Loops to Define Gene Expression and Cell Identity.

Chromosome structure is a key regulator of gene expression. CTCF and cohesin play critical roles in structuring chromosomes by mediating physical interactions between distant genomic sites. The resulting DNA loops often contain genes and their cis -regulatory elements. Despite the importance of DNA loops in maintaining proper transcriptional regulation and cell identity, there is limited understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate their dynamics and function. We report a previously unrecognized role for WIZ (widely interspaced zinc finger-containing protein) in DNA loop architecture and regulation of gene expression. WIZ forms a complex with cohesin and CTCF that occupies enhancers, promoters, insulators, and anchors of DNA loops. Aberrant WIZ function alters cohesin occupancy and increases the number of DNA loop structures in the genome. WIZ is required for proper gene expression and transcriptional insulation. Our results uncover an unexpected role for WIZ in DNA loop architecture, transcriptional control, and maintenance of cell identity. • WIZ generally colocalizes with CTCF and cohesin across the genome • Loss of WIZ increases cohesin occupancy and DNA loops • WIZ maintains proper gene expression and stem cell identity Justice et al. show that WIZ functions with CTCF and cohesin in the structural regulation of DNA loops. Aberrant WIZ function causes many changes in gene expression, including at DNA loops important for regulating stem cell identity genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]