Unveiling unique expression patterns of D20S16 satellite DNA in human embryonic development

Abstract Satellite DNA is essential for chromosome stability and gene regulation, yet its specific roles in early human embryogenesis remain poorly defined. Here, we integrated the complete human genome reference (T2T-CHM13) with RNA-seq data to investigate the expression and regulation of the satel...

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Main Authors: Yajie Hu, Kenji Mizuguchi, Kosuke Hashimoto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11753-w
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author Yajie Hu
Kenji Mizuguchi
Kosuke Hashimoto
author_facet Yajie Hu
Kenji Mizuguchi
Kosuke Hashimoto
author_sort Yajie Hu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Satellite DNA is essential for chromosome stability and gene regulation, yet its specific roles in early human embryogenesis remain poorly defined. Here, we integrated the complete human genome reference (T2T-CHM13) with RNA-seq data to investigate the expression and regulation of the satellite DNA element D20S16 across key stages of human embryonic development. We identified 20 distinct D20S16 tandem repeat clusters, but found that only two, both located on chromosome 20, were actively transcribed during early embryogenesis. Expression of D20S16 was high in early developmental stages, significantly declining thereafter. Comparative analysis revealed minimal expression of D20S16 in macaque embryos, correlating with fewer and shorter repeat units. Beyond embryogenesis, D20S16 also exhibited notably high expression levels in breast cancer and testicular tissues, suggesting additional biological roles. Furthermore, we investigated the evolutionary distribution of D20S16 across primates and other mammals. Our findings highlight the potential regulatory functions of satellite DNA in human development, pointing to the importance of specific chromosomal contexts for transcriptional activation. This study enhances our understanding of satellite DNA’s functional and evolutionary significance, laying the groundwork for future research into its roles in development and disease.
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spelling doaj-art-57f46072f09b490695bbcc0073acd5c12025-08-20T03:43:02ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111410.1038/s41598-025-11753-wUnveiling unique expression patterns of D20S16 satellite DNA in human embryonic developmentYajie Hu0Kenji Mizuguchi1Kosuke Hashimoto2Institute for Protein Research, Osaka UniversityInstitute for Protein Research, Osaka UniversityInstitute for Protein Research, Osaka UniversityAbstract Satellite DNA is essential for chromosome stability and gene regulation, yet its specific roles in early human embryogenesis remain poorly defined. Here, we integrated the complete human genome reference (T2T-CHM13) with RNA-seq data to investigate the expression and regulation of the satellite DNA element D20S16 across key stages of human embryonic development. We identified 20 distinct D20S16 tandem repeat clusters, but found that only two, both located on chromosome 20, were actively transcribed during early embryogenesis. Expression of D20S16 was high in early developmental stages, significantly declining thereafter. Comparative analysis revealed minimal expression of D20S16 in macaque embryos, correlating with fewer and shorter repeat units. Beyond embryogenesis, D20S16 also exhibited notably high expression levels in breast cancer and testicular tissues, suggesting additional biological roles. Furthermore, we investigated the evolutionary distribution of D20S16 across primates and other mammals. Our findings highlight the potential regulatory functions of satellite DNA in human development, pointing to the importance of specific chromosomal contexts for transcriptional activation. This study enhances our understanding of satellite DNA’s functional and evolutionary significance, laying the groundwork for future research into its roles in development and disease.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11753-wSatellite DNAD20S16Embryonic developmentRNA-seqComparative genomicsHuman genome (T2T-CHM13)
spellingShingle Yajie Hu
Kenji Mizuguchi
Kosuke Hashimoto
Unveiling unique expression patterns of D20S16 satellite DNA in human embryonic development
Scientific Reports
Satellite DNA
D20S16
Embryonic development
RNA-seq
Comparative genomics
Human genome (T2T-CHM13)
title Unveiling unique expression patterns of D20S16 satellite DNA in human embryonic development
title_full Unveiling unique expression patterns of D20S16 satellite DNA in human embryonic development
title_fullStr Unveiling unique expression patterns of D20S16 satellite DNA in human embryonic development
title_full_unstemmed Unveiling unique expression patterns of D20S16 satellite DNA in human embryonic development
title_short Unveiling unique expression patterns of D20S16 satellite DNA in human embryonic development
title_sort unveiling unique expression patterns of d20s16 satellite dna in human embryonic development
topic Satellite DNA
D20S16
Embryonic development
RNA-seq
Comparative genomics
Human genome (T2T-CHM13)
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11753-w
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AT kenjimizuguchi unveilinguniqueexpressionpatternsofd20s16satellitednainhumanembryonicdevelopment
AT kosukehashimoto unveilinguniqueexpressionpatternsofd20s16satellitednainhumanembryonicdevelopment