Analysis of the role of CTCF and GATA4 on chromatin remodelling during cardiac fate specification
Reorganization of the three-dimensional chromatin structure is a critical feature of human embryonic development. Yet, the mechanisms regulating integrative remodelling of local structures (e.g., loops) and global architecture (e.g., A/B compartmentalization) remain unclear. Here, we investigate this aspect in the context of cardiomyogenesis, characterized by pronounced B-to-A remodelling of several cardiac-specific genes such as TTN. We focus on the roles of the pioneer transcription factor GATA4 and the architectural protein CTCF. Using an inducible knockdown system during human induced pluripotent stem cell differentiation, we show that GATA4 is essential for timely topological activation of key cardiac genes, while partial depletion of CTCF, anticipating physiological downregulation during development, enhances this process. Deletion of a single CTCF binding site on TTN leads to modest gene decompaction and transcriptional activation. Bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing of chamber-specific cardiac organoids reveals that loss of GATA4 delays differentiation and sustains proliferation of early cardiomyocytes, whereas premature CTCF depletion accelerates yet alters cardiomyocyte maturation. These findings suggest that CTCF and GATA4 have antagonistic roles on chromatin dynamics during cardiomyogenesis, forming a rheostat that maintains accurate developmental tempo. Disruption of this mechanism may contribute to congenital heart defects caused by mutations in these factors