The role of HELLS in human induced pluripotent stem cells II
interactions that require remodeling proteins like the Helicase, Lymphoid-specific (HELLS). Here, we generate HELLS and de novo DNA methyltransferase 3 A and B (DNMT3A/B) knockout hu-man pluripotent stem cells and assemble telomere-to-telomere maps of whole genome bisulfite sequencing data combined with ATAC-sequencing. Disrupting HELLS induces a global loss of DNA methylation that is distinct from the de novo DNMTs, in particular over peri/centromeric satellite repeats as defined in the telomere-to-telomere genome assembly. However, HELLS is dispensable for local enhancer remodeling and the potential to differentiate into the three germ layers. Taken together, these findings further clarify the genomic targets and role of HELLS in human cells. Overall design: ATAC-seq was performed on iPSCs and iPSC-derived Endoderm cells in WT and HELLS KO conditions.