CTCF Point Mutation at R567 Disrupts Mouse Heart Development via 3D Genome Rearrangement and Transcription Dysregulation

CTCF plays a vital role in shaping chromatin structure and regulating gene expression. Clinical studies have associated CTCF mutations with congenital developmental abnormalities, including congenital cardiomyopathy. In this study, we investigated the impact of the homozygous CTCF-R567W (Ctcf^R567W/R567W) mutation on cardiac tissue morphogenesis during mouse embryonic development. Our results reveal significant impairments in heart development, characterised by ventricular muscle trabecular hyperplasia and reduced ventricular cavity sizes. We also observe a marked downregulation of genes involved in sarcomere assembly, calcium ion transport, and mitochondrial function in heart tissues from homozygous mice. Furthermore, the Ctcf^R567W/R567W mutation disrupts CTCF's interaction with chromatin, resulting in alterations to topologically associating domain (TAD) structure within specific genomic regions and diminishing crucial promoter-enhancer interactions necessary for cardiac development. Additionally, we find that the heterozygous CTCF-R567W (Ctcf^+/R567W) mutation significantly compromises cardiac contractility in 8-week-old mice. This study elucidates the mechanism by which the CTCF-R567W mutation hampers cardiac development, underscoring the essential role of CTCF-R567 in embryonic heart development and maturation.