GSE176502
Non-coding loci without epigenomic signals can be essential for maintaining global chromatin organization and cell viability [single-cell RNA-seq]
Most non-coding regions of the human genome do not harbour any annotated element and are even not marked with any epigenomic or protein binding signal. However, an overlooked aspect of their possible role in stabilizing 3D chromatin organization has not been extensively studied. To illuminate their structural importance, we started with the non-coding regions forming many 3D contacts (referred to as hubs) and performed a CRISPR library screening to identify dozens of hubs essential for cell viability. Hi-C and single cell transcriptomic analyses showed that their deletion could significantly alter chromatin organization and impact the distal genes expression. This study revealed the 3D structural importance of non-coding loci that are not associated with any functional element, providing a new mechanistic understanding of disease-associated genetic variations (GVs), and we focused on single nucleotide variations. Furthermore, our analyses also suggest a powerful approach to develop "one-drug-multiple-targets" therapeutics targeting disease-specific non-coding regions. Overall design: Examination of gene expression profile of K562 hub_22_7 deletion cells at single cell level