Pierre Chymkowitch

Image of Pierre Chymkowitch
Norwegian version of this page
Email pierre.chymkowitch@ibv.uio.no
Room 2303B
Username
Visiting address Blindernveien 31 0371 Oslo
Postal address Postboks 1066 Blindern 0316 Oslo

Academic interest: Transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of cell fate and identity

Dynamic remodeling of the SUMO-chromatin landscape during cellular differentiation

The study of molecular mechanisms that govern cellular differentiation and fate is key to the understanding of development, metabolism but also to the understanding of carcinogenesis. This research axis seeks to address the role of sumoylation-mediated gene control during cellular differentiation with a primary focus on adipose stem cells. Indeed, the global rise of the obesity epidemic and associated diseases such as diabetes and cancer has rendered indispensable the study of adipose tissue formation and biology. We use state of the art high-throughput methods (ChIP-seq, RNA-seq, MS, Confocal microscopy, etc.) and classical biochemistry to identify the dynamics of chromatin-bound factors’ sumoylation during adipocyte differentiation in human adipose stem cells, mouse 3T3L1 cells and mouse models.

Control of mitotic chromatin architecture and mitotic transcription

The iconic X shape of condensed mitotic chromosomes has been described in the 19th century, but we still know little about the structural organization of mitotic chromatin and its consequences on chromatin functions such as transcription. In this project we investigate the mechanisms that establish and maintain mitotic transcription in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Mitotic poisons are used in the clinic against many cancers. However, they trigger deleterious side effects and their mechanisms of action remain often unclear. There is therefore a need for a better understanding of mitotic events including mitotic gene expression. To address mitotic transcription we use high-throughput methods such as nascent RNA-seq, ChIP-seq or Hi-C and classical biochemistry.
3T3-L1 cells after differentiation into adipocyte - Green: Lipid droplets; Red: Mitochondria; Blue: Nuclei.

Teaching

Mechanisms of eukaryotic transcription (BIOS5912/9912) - Organizer
Molecular Biology (BIOS2910) - Co-organizer

Higher education and employment

2020-now     Associate Professor - Dept. of Biosciences, University of Oslo.
2018-2021   Group leader - Dept. of Microbiology, Oslo Univ. Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
2015-2019   Co-founder, member of the board of directors, CSO - Hemispherian AS, Oslo, Norway.
2013-2017   Senior scientist - Dept. of Molecular Cell Biology, Oslo Univ. Hospital, Oslo, Norway. 
2009-2012   Post-doctoral researcher - Dept. of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital & Center for Molecular Biology and Neuroscience (CMBN), Oslo, Norway.
2005-2008   PhD student - University of Strasbourg & IGBMC, Illkirch, France.
Tags: Transcription, Chromatin, Differentiation, cell cycle, Adipose tissue

Selected publications

For a Complete list

Bjune JI, Laber S, Lawrence-Archer L, Zhao X, Yamada S, Al-Sharabi N, Mustafa K, Njølstad PR, Claussnitzer M, Cox RD, Chymkowitch P, Mellgren G and Dankel SN (2023). Irx3 controls a sumoylation-dependent epigenetic switch between adipogenesis and osteogenesis. BioRxiv: https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.10.17.562662

Ramos-Alonso L, Holland P, Le Gras S, Zhao X, Jost B, Bjørås M, Barral Y, Enserink JM and Chymkowitch P (2023). Mitotic chromosome condensation resets chromatin to maintain transcriptional homeostasis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A  Jan 24;120(4):e2210593120

Zhao X, Hendriks IA, Le Gras S, Ye T, Nguéa P A, Ramos-Alonso L, Flor Lien G, Klungland A, Jost B, Enserink JM, Nilsen ML and Chymkowitch P (2022). Waves of sumoylation support transcription dynamics during adipocyte differentiation. Nucleic Acids Res. Feb 22;50(3):1351-1369.

Garcia I, Munoz S, Ramos-Alonso L, Andersen AN, Zimmermann C, Erikson J, Bøe SO, Kaferle P, Papamichos-Chronakis M, Chymkowitch P, Enserink JM (2021). Kel1 is a phosphorylation-regulated noise suppressor of the pheromone signaling pathway. Cell Reports 37, 110186, December 28

Nguéa P A, Robertson J, Herrera MC, Chymkowitch P, Enserink JM (2019). De-sumoylation of RNAPIII Lies at the Core of the Sumo-Stress Response in yeast. J. Biol. Chem. Dec 06; 294: 18784 

Kruitwagen T*, Chymkowitch P*, Denoth-Lippuner A, Enserink JM, Barral Y (2018). Centromeres license the mitotic condensation of yeast chromosome arms. Cell  Oct 18;175(3):780-795.e15

Herrera MC, Chymkowitch P, Robertson J, Eriksson J, Bøe SO, Enserink JM (2018). Cdk1 Gates Cell Cycle-Dependent tRNA Synthesis by Regulating RNA Polymerase III Activity. Nucleic Acids Res. Dec 14; 46 (22), 11698-11711 

Chymkowitch P, Nguéa P A, Aanes H, Robertson J, Klungland A, Enserink JM (2017). TORC1-dependent sumoylation of Rpc82 promotes RNA polymerase III assembly and activity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Jan 31;114(5):1039-1044

Chymkowitch P, Nguéa P A, Aanes H, Koehler CJ, Thiede B, Lorenz S, Meza-Zepeda LA, Klungland A, Enserink JM (2015). Sumoylation of Rap1 Mediates the Recruitment of TFIID to Promote Transcription of Ribosomal Protein Genes. Genome Res. Jun;25(6):897-906

Chymkowitch P, Eldholm V, Lorenz S, Zimmermann C, Lindvall JM, Bjørås M, Meza-Zepeda LA, Enserink JM (2012). Cdc28 kinase activity regulates the basal transcription machinery at a subset of genes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Jun 26;109(26):10450-5

Chymkowitch P, Le May N, Charneau P, Compe E, Egly JM (2011). The phosphorylation of the androgen receptor by TFIIH directs the ubiquitin/proteasome process. EMBO J. Feb 2;30(3):468-79

Ito S, Kuraoka I, Chymkowitch P, Compe E, Takedachi A, Ishigami C, Coin F, Egly JM, Tanaka K (2007). XPG stabilizes TFIIH, allowing transactivation of nuclear receptors: Implications for Cokayne syndrome in XP-G/CS patients. Mol. Cell Apr 27;26(2):231-43

Published July 9, 2020 1:50 PM - Last modified June 5, 2024 10:02 AM

Research groups

Funding providers: