Derek Le

All Publications

• 3D genetic architecture of schizophrenia risk across three neuronal subtypes. Molecular psychiatry Powell, S. K., Liao, W., Ghorbani, S., Rigat, R., O'Shea, C., Kammourh, S., Elahi, R., Infante, D., Deans, P. J., Le, D. J., Agarwal, P., Qiang Seow, W., Balafkan, N., Wang, K. C., Akbarian, S., Brennand, K. J. 2025

  Abstract

  Common genetic variants associated with schizophrenia risk are concentrated in non-coding regulatory sequences, but their precise target genes are context-dependent and impacted by cell-type-specific three-dimensional spatial chromatin organization. Here, we map long-range chromosomal conformations in human dopaminergic, GABAergic, and glutamatergic neurons to track developmentally programmed shifts in the regulatory activity of schizophrenia risk loci. Large-scale repressive compartmentalization, concomitant with the emergence of hundreds of neuron-specific multi-valent chromatin architectural stripes, occurs during neuronal differentiation, with genes interconnected to genetic risk loci through these long-range chromatin structures differing in their biological roles from genes more proximal to sequences conferring heritable risk. Functional targeting of chromatin loops involving the proximal risk gene SNAP91 and the distal putative risk gene BHLHE22 altered gene expression and neuronal phenotypes. Our findings highlight the large-scale cell-type-specific reorganization of chromosomal conformations at schizophrenia risk loci during neurodevelopment and provide functional validation of selected target genes implicated in the disorder through 3D chromatin looping.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/s41380-025-03352-y

  View details for PubMedID 41310180

  View details for PubMedCentralID 9805802

• Super-enhancer interactomes from single cells link clustering and transcription. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology Le, D. J., Hafner, A., Gaddam, S., Wang, K. C., Boettiger, A. N. 2024

  Abstract

  Regulation of gene expression hinges on the interplay between enhancers and promoters, traditionally explored through pairwise analyses. Recent advancements in mapping genome folding, like GAM, SPRITE, and multi-contact Hi-C, have uncovered multi-way interactions among super-enhancers (SEs), spanning megabases, yet have not measured their frequency in single cells or the relationship between clustering and transcription. To close this gap, here we used multiplexed imaging to map the 3D positions of 376 SEs across thousands of mammalian nuclei. Notably, our single-cell images reveal that while SE-SE contacts are rare, SEs often form looser associations we termed "communities". These communities, averaging 4-5 SEs, assemble cooperatively under the combined effects of genomic tethers, Pol2 clustering, and nuclear compartmentalization. Larger communities are associated with more frequent and larger transcriptional bursts. Our work provides insights about the SE interactome in single cells that challenge existing hypotheses on SE clustering in the context of transcriptional regulation.

  View details for DOI 10.1101/2024.05.08.593251

  View details for PubMedID 38766104

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC11100725

• Single-cell chromatin state transitions during epigenetic memory formation. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology Fujimori, T., Rios-Martinez, C., Thurm, A. R., Hinks, M. M., Doughty, B. R., Sinha, J., Le, D., Hafner, A., Greenleaf, W. J., Boettiger, A. N., Bintu, L. 2023

  Abstract

  Repressive chromatin modifications are thought to compact chromatin to silence transcription. However, it is unclear how chromatin structure changes during silencing and epigenetic memory formation. We measured gene expression and chromatin structure in single cells after recruitment and release of repressors at a reporter gene. Chromatin structure is heterogeneous, with open and compact conformations present in both active and silent states. Recruitment of repressors associated with epigenetic memory produces chromatin compaction across 10-20 kilobases, while reversible silencing does not cause compaction at this scale. Chromatin compaction is inherited, but changes molecularly over time from histone methylation (H3K9me3) to DNA methylation. The level of compaction at the end of silencing quantitatively predicts epigenetic memory weeks later. Similarly, chromatin compaction at the Nanog locus predicts the degree of stem-cell fate commitment. These findings suggest that the chromatin state across tens of kilobases, beyond the gene itself, is important for epigenetic memory formation.

  View details for DOI 10.1101/2023.10.03.560616

  View details for PubMedID 37873344

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC10592931

• Schizophrenia Risk Mapping and Functional Engineering of the 3D Genome in Three Neuronal Subtypes. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology Powell, S. K., Liao, W., O'Shea, C., Kammourh, S., Ghorbani, S., Rigat, R., Elahi, R., Deans, P. M., Le, D. J., Agarwal, P., Seow, W. Q., Wang, K. C., Akbarian, S., Brennand, K. J. 2023

  Abstract

  Common variants associated with schizophrenia are concentrated in non-coding regulatory sequences, but their precise target genes are context-dependent and impacted by cell-type-specific three-dimensional spatial chromatin organization. Here, we map long-range chromosomal conformations in isogenic human dopaminergic, GABAergic, and glutamatergic neurons to track developmentally programmed shifts in the regulatory activity of schizophrenia risk loci. Massive repressive compartmentalization, concomitant with the emergence of hundreds of neuron-specific multi-valent chromatin architectural stripes, occurs during neuronal differentiation, with genes interconnected to genetic risk loci through these long-range chromatin structures differing in their biological roles from genes more proximal to sequences conferring heritable risk. Chemically induced CRISPR-guided chromosomal loop-engineering for the proximal risk gene SNAP91 and distal risk gene BHLHE22 profoundly alters synaptic development and functional activity. Our findings highlight the large-scale cell-type-specific reorganization of chromosomal conformations at schizophrenia risk loci during neurodevelopment and establish a causal link between risk-associated gene-regulatory loop structures and neuronal function.

  View details for DOI 10.1101/2023.07.17.549339

  View details for PubMedID 37502907

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC10370055

• Chlorcyclizine Inhibits Viral Fusion of Hepatitis C Virus Entry by Directly Targeting HCV Envelope Glycoprotein 1. Cell chemical biology Hu, Z., Rolt, A., Hu, X., Ma, C. D., Le, D. J., Park, S. B., Houghton, M., Southall, N., Anderson, D. E., Talley, D. C., Lloyd, J. R., Marugan, J. C., Liang, T. J. 2020; 27 (7): 780-792.e5

  Abstract

  Chlorcyclizine (CCZ) is a potent hepatitis C virus (HCV) entry inhibitor, but its molecular mechanism is unknown. Here, we show that CCZ directly targets the fusion peptide of HCV E1 and interferes with the fusion process. Generation of CCZ resistance-associated substitutions of HCV in vitro revealed six missense mutations in the HCV E1 protein, five being in the putative fusion peptide. A viral fusion assay demonstrated that CCZ blocked HCV entry at the membrane fusion step and that the mutant viruses acquired resistance to CCZ's action in blocking membrane fusion. UV cross-linking of photoactivatable CCZ-diazirine-biotin in both HCV-infected cells and recombinant HCV E1/E2 protein demonstrated direct binding to HCV E1 glycoprotein. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed that CCZ cross-linked to an E1 sequence adjacent to the putative fusion peptide. Docking simulations demonstrate a putative binding model, wherein CCZ binds to a hydrophobic pocket of HCV E1 and forms extensive interactions with the fusion peptide.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.chembiol.2020.04.006

  View details for PubMedID 32386595

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC7368827

• Transcriptomic Analysis of Cultured Corneal Endothelial Cells as a Validation for Their Use in Cell Replacement Therapy. Cell transplantation Frausto, R. F., Le, D. J., Aldave, A. J. 2016; 25 (6): 1159-76

  Abstract

  The corneal endothelium plays a primary role in maintaining corneal homeostasis and clarity and must be surgically replaced with allogenic donor corneal endothelium in the event of visually significant dysfunction. However, a worldwide shortage of donor corneal tissue has led to a search for alternative sources of transplantable tissue. Cultured human corneal endothelial cells (HCEnC) have been shown to restore corneal clarity in experimental models of corneal endothelial dysfunction in animal models, but characterization of cultured HCEnC remains incomplete. To this end, we utilized next-generation RNA sequencing technology to compare the transcriptomic profile of ex vivo human corneal endothelial cells (evHCEnC) with that of primary HCEnC (pHCEnC) and HCEnC lines and to determine the utility of cultured and immortalized corneal endothelial cells as models of in vivo corneal endothelium. Multidimensional analyses of the transcriptome data sets demonstrated that primary HCEnC have a closer relationship to evHCEnC than do immortalized HCEnC. Subsequent analyses showed that the majority of the genes specifically expressed in HCEnC (not expressed in ex vivo corneal epithelium or fibroblasts) demonstrated a marked variability of expression in cultured cells compared with evHCEnC. In addition, genes associated with either corneal endothelial cell function or corneal endothelial dystrophies were investigated. Significant differences in gene expression and protein levels were observed in the cultured cells compared with evHCEnC for each of the genes tested except for AGBL1 and LOXHD1, which were not detected by RNA-seq or qPCR. Our transcriptomic analysis suggests that at a molecular level pHCEnC most closely resemble evHCEnC and thus represent the most viable cell culture-based therapeutic option for managing corneal endothelial cell dysfunction. Our findings also suggest that investigators should perform an assessment of the entire transcriptome of cultured HCEnC prior to determination of their potential clinical utility for the management of corneal endothelial cell failure.

  View details for DOI 10.3727/096368915X688948

  View details for PubMedID 26337789

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4775465

• Identification of Potentially Pathogenic Variants in the Posterior Polymorphous Corneal Dystrophy 1 Locus. PloS one Le, D. J., Chung, D. D., Frausto, R. F., Kim, M. J., Aldave, A. J. 2016; 11 (6): e0158467

  Abstract

  Posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy 1 (PPCD1) is a genetic disorder that affects corneal endothelial cell function and leads to loss of visual acuity. PPCD1 has been linked to a locus on chromosome 20 in multiple families; however, Sanger sequencing of protein-coding genes in the consensus region failed to identify any causative missense mutations. In this study, custom capture probes were utilized for targeted next-generation sequencing of the linked region in a previously reported family with PPCD1. Variants were detected through two bioinformatics pipelines and filtered according to multiple criteria. Additionally, a high-resolution microarray was used to detect copy number variations. No non-synonymous variants in the protein-coding region of annotated genes were identified. However, 12 single nucleotide variants in 10 genes, and 9 indels in 7 genes met the filtering criteria and were considered candidate variants for PPCD1. Eleven single nucleotide variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing, including 2 synonymous variants and 9 non-coding variants, in 9 genes. One microdeletion was detected in an intron of OVOL2 by microarray but was subsequently not identified by PCR. Using a comprehensive next-generation sequencing approach, a total of 16 genes containing single nucleotide variants or indels that segregated with the affected phenotype in an affected family previously mapped to the PPCD1 locus were identified. Screening of these candidate genes in other families previously mapped to the PPCD1 locus will likely result in the identification of the genetic basis of PPCD1.

  View details for DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0158467

  View details for PubMedID 27355326

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4927100

• Whole Exome Sequencing and Segregation Analysis Confirms That a Mutation in COL17A1 Is the Cause of Epithelial Recurrent Erosion Dystrophy in a Large Dominant Pedigree Previously Mapped to Chromosome 10q23-q24. PloS one Lin, B. R., Le, D. J., Chen, Y., Wang, Q., Chung, D. D., Frausto, R. F., Croasdale, C., Yee, R. W., Hejtmancik, F. J., Aldave, A. J. 2016; 11 (6): e0157418

  Abstract

  To report identification of a COL17A1 mutation in a family with a corneal dystrophy previously mapped to chromosome 10q23-q24.Whole-exome sequencing was performed on DNA samples from five affected family members and two unrelated, unaffected individuals. Identified variants were filtered for those that were: located in the linked interval on chromosome 10q23-q24; novel or rare (minor allele frequency ≤0.01); heterozygous; present in all affected individuals and not in controls; and present in genes that encode proteins expressed in human corneal epithelial cells (reads per kilobase per million ≥1). Sanger sequencing of identified variants (SNVs) was performed in additional family members. In silico analysis was used to predict the functional impact of non-synonymous variants.Three SNVs located in two genes were identified that met the filtering criteria: one rare synonymous c.3156C>T variant in the collagen, type XVII, alpha I (COL17A1) gene; and two rare variants, one synonymous and one missense, in the dynamin binding protein (DNMBP) gene. Sanger sequencing of additional family members determined that only the COL17A1 variant segregates with the affected phenotype. In silico analysis predicts that the missense variant in DNMBP would be tolerated.The corneal dystrophy mapped to chromosome 10q23-q24 is associated with the c.3156C>T variant in COL17A1. As this variant has recently been identified in five other families with early onset recurrent corneal erosions, and has been shown in vitro to introduce a cryptic splice donor site, this dystrophy is likely caused by aberrant splicing of COL17A1 and should be classified as epithelial recurrent erosion dystrophy.

  View details for DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0157418

  View details for PubMedID 27309958

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4911149

• Identification of novel PIKFYVE gene mutations associated with Fleck corneal dystrophy. Molecular vision Gee, J. A., Frausto, R. F., Chung, D. D., Tangmonkongvoragul, C., Le, D. J., Wang, C., Han, J., Aldave, A. J. 2015; 21: 1093-100

  Abstract

  To report the identification of a novel frameshift mutation and copy number variation (CNV) in PIKFYVE in two probands with fleck corneal dystrophy (FCD).Slit-lamp examination was performed to identify characteristic features of FCD. After genomic DNA was collected, PCR amplification and automated sequencing of all 41 exons of PIKFYVE was performed. Using genomic DNA, quantitative PCR (qPCR) was performed to detect CNVs within PIKFYVE.In the first FCD proband, numerous panstromal punctate opacities were observed in each of the proband's corneas, consistent with the diagnosis of FCD. Screening of PIKFYVE demonstrated a novel heterozygous frameshift mutation in exon 19, c.3151dupA, which is predicted to encode for a truncated PIKFYVE protein, p.(Asp1052Argfs*18). This variant was identified in an affected sister but not in the proband's unaffected mother or brother or 200 control chromosomes. The second FCD proband presented with bilateral, discrete, punctate, grayish-white stromal opacities. Exonic screening of PIKFYVE revealed no causative variant. However, CNV analysis demonstrated the hemizygous deletion of exons 15 and 16.We report a novel heterozygous frameshift mutation (c.3151dupA) and a CNV in PIKFYVE, representing the first CNV and the fifth frameshift mutation associated with FCD.

  View details for PubMedID 26396486

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4575904

• Posterior amorphous corneal dystrophy is associated with a deletion of small leucine-rich proteoglycans on chromosome 12. PloS one Kim, M. J., Frausto, R. F., Rosenwasser, G. O., Bui, T., Le, D. J., Stone, E. M., Aldave, A. J. 2014; 9 (4): e95037

  Abstract

  Posterior amorphous corneal dystrophy (PACD) is a rare, autosomal dominant disorder affecting the cornea and iris. Next-generation sequencing of the previously identified PACD linkage interval on chromosome 12q21.33 failed to yield a pathogenic mutation. However, array-based copy number analysis and qPCR were used to detect a hemizygous deletion in the PACD linkage interval containing 4 genes encoding small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs): KERA, LUM, DCN, and EPYC. Two other unrelated families with PACD also demonstrated deletion of these SLRPs, which play important roles in collagen fibrillogenesis and matrix assembly. Given that these genes are essential to the maintenance of corneal clarity and the observation that knockout murine models display corneal phenotypic similarities to PACD, we provide convincing evidence that PACD is associated with haploinsufficiency of these SLRPs.

  View details for DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0095037

  View details for PubMedID 24759697

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3997350