The right dose for every sex

Interaction of Male Specific Lethal complex and genomic imbalance on global gene expression in Drosophila

The inverse dosage effect caused by chromosome number variations shows global consequences in genomic imbalance including sexual dimorphism and an X chromosome-specific response. To investigate the relationship of the MSL complex to genomic imbalance, we over-expressed MSL2 in autosomal and sex chromosomal aneuploids, and analyzed the different transcriptomes. Some candidate genes involved in regulatory mechanisms have also been tested during embryogenesis using TSA-FISH. Here we show that the de novo MSL complex assembled on the X chromosomes in females further reduced the global expression level on the basis of 2/3 down-regulation caused by the inverse dosage effect in trisomy through epigenetic modulations rather than induced dosage compensation. Plus, the sexual dimorphism effect in unbalanced genomes was further examined due to the pre-existing of the MSL complex in males. All these results demonstrate the dynamic functions of the MSL complex on global gene expression in different aneuploid genomes.

Correct dosage of X chromosome transcription is controlled by a nuclear pore component

Dosage compensation in Drosophila melanogaster involves a 2-fold transcriptional upregulation of the male X chromosome, which relies on the X-chromosome-binding males-specific lethal (MSL) complex. However, how such 2-fold precision is accomplished remains unclear. Here, we show that a nuclear pore component, Mtor, is involved in setting the correct levels of transcription from the male X chromosome. Using larval tissues, we demonstrate that the depletion of Mtor results in selective upregulation at MSL targets of the male X, beyond the required 2-fold. Mtor and MSL components interact genetically, and depletion of Mtor can rescue the male lethality phenotype of MSL components. Using RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis and nascent transcript sequencing, we find that the effect of Mtor is not due to defects in mRNA export but occurs at the level of nascent transcription. These findings demonstrate a physiological role for Mtor in the process of dosage compensation, as a transcriptional attenuator of X chromosome gene expression.

Regulation of p53 by E3s

More than 40 years of research on p53 have given us tremendous knowledge about this protein. Today we know that p53 plays a role in different biological processes such as proliferation, invasion, pluripotency, metabolism, cell cycle control, ROS (reactive oxygen species) production, apoptosis, inflammation and autophagy. In the nucleus, p53 functions as a bona-fide transcription factor which activates and represses transcription of a number of target genes. In the cytoplasm, p53 can interact with proteins of the apoptotic machinery and by this also induces cell death. Despite being so important for the fate of the cell, expression levels of p53 are kept low in unstressed cells and the protein is largely inactive. The reason for the low expression level is that p53 is efficiently degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome system and the vast inactivity of the tumor suppressor protein under normal growth conditions is due to the absence of activating and the presence of inactivating posttranslational modifications. E3s are important enzymes for these processes as they decorate p53 with ubiquitin and small ubiquitin-like proteins and by this control p53 degradation, stability and its subcellular localization. In this review, we provide an overview about E3s that target p53 and discuss the connection between p53, E3s and tumorigenesis.

Endocrinology: advances through omics and related technologies

The rapid development of new omics technologies to measure changes at genetic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomics levels together with the evolution of methods to analyze and integrate the data at a systems level are revolutionizing the study of biological processes. Here we discuss how new approaches using omics technologies have expanded our knowledge especially in nontraditional models. Our increasing knowledge of these interactions and evolutionary pathway conservation facilitates the use of nontraditional species, both invertebrate and vertebrate, as new model species for biological and endocrinology research. The increasing availability of technology to create organisms overexpressing key genes in endocrine function allows manipulation of complex regulatory networks such as growth hormone (GH) in transgenic fish where disregulation of GH production to produce larger fish has also permitted exploration of the role that GH plays in testis development, suggesting that it does so through interactions with insulin-like growth factors. The availability of omics tools to monitor changes at nearly any level in any organism, manipulate gene expression and behavior, and integrate data across biological levels, provides novel opportunities to explore endocrine function across many species and understand the complex roles that key genes play in different aspects of the endocrine function.

Deciphering the binding between Nupr1 and MSL1 and their DNA-repairing activity

The stress protein Nupr1 is a highly basic, multifunctional, intrinsically disordered protein (IDP). MSL1 is a histone acetyl transferase-associated protein, known to intervene in the dosage compensation complex (DCC). In this work, we show that both Nupr1 and MSL1 proteins were recruited and formed a complex into the nucleus in response to DNA-damage, which was essential for cell survival in reply to cisplatin damage. We studied the interaction of Nupr1 and MSL1, and their binding affinities to DNA by spectroscopic and biophysical methods. The MSL1 bound to Nupr1, with a moderate affinity (2.8 µM) in an entropically-driven process. MSL1 did not bind to non-damaged DNA, but it bound to chemically-damaged-DNA with a moderate affinity (1.2 µM) also in an entropically-driven process. The Nupr1 protein bound to chemically-damaged-DNA with a slightly larger affinity (0.4 µM), but in an enthalpically-driven process. Nupr1 showed different interacting regions in the formed complexes with Nupr1 or DNA; however, they were always disordered (“fuzzy”), as shown by NMR. These results underline a stochastic description of the functionality of the Nupr1 and its other interacting partners.

Msl2 is a novel component of the vertebrate DNA damage response

hMSL2 (male-specific lethal 2, human) is a RING finger protein with ubiquitin ligase activity. Although it has been shown to target histone H2B at lysine 34 and p53 at lysine 351, suggesting roles in transcription regulation and apoptosis, its function in these and other processes remains poorly defined. To further characterize this protein, we have disrupted the Msl2 gene in chicken DT40 cells. Msl2^−/− cells are viable, with minor growth defects. Biochemical analysis of the chromatin in these cells revealed aberrations in the levels of several histone modifications involved in DNA damage response pathways. DNA repair assays show that both Msl2^−/− chicken cells and hMSL2-depleted human cells have defects in non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) repair. DNA damage assays also demonstrate that both Msl2 and hMSL2 proteins are modified and stabilized shortly after induction of DNA damage. Moreover, hMSL2 mediates modification, presumably ubiquitylation, of a key DNA repair mediator 53BP1 at lysine 1690. Similarly, hMSL1 and hMOF (males absent on the first) are modified in the presence of hMSL2 shortly after DNA damage. These data identify a novel role for Msl2/hMSL2 in the cellular response to DNA damage. The kinetics of its stabilization suggests a function early in the NHEJ repair pathway. Moreover, Msl2 plays a role in maintaining normal histone modification profiles, which may also contribute to the DNA damage response.

Histone modifications in the male germ line of Drosophila

BACKGROUND

In the male germ line of Drosophila chromatin remains decondensed and highly transcribed during meiotic prophase until it is rapidly compacted. A large proportion of the cell cycle-regulated histone H3.1 is replaced by H3.3, a histone variant encoded outside the histone repeat cluster and not subject to cell cycle controlled expression.

RESULTS

We investigated histone modification patterns in testes of D. melanogaster and D. hydei. In somatic cells of the testis envelope and in germ cells these modification patterns differ from those typically seen in eu- and heterochromatin of other somatic cells. During the meiotic prophase some modifications expected in active chromatin are not found or are found at low level. The absence of H4K16ac suggests that dosage compensation does not take place. Certain histone modifications correspond to either the cell cycle-regulated histone H3.1 or to the testis-specific variant H3.3. In spermatogonia we found H3K9 methylation in cytoplasmic histones, most likely corresponding to the H3.3 histone variant. Most histone modifications persist throughout the meiotic divisions. The majority of modifications persist until the early spermatid nuclei, and only a minority further persist until the final chromatin compaction stages before individualization of the spermatozoa.

CONCLUSION

Histone modification patterns in the male germ line differ from expected patterns. They are consistent with an absence of dosage compensation of the X chromosome during the male meiotic prophase. The cell cycle-regulated histone variant H3.1 and H3.3, expressed throughout the cell cycle, also vary in their modification patterns. Postmeiotically, we observed a highly complex pattern of the histone modifications until late spermatid nuclear elongation stages. This may be in part due to postmeiotic transcription and in part to differential histone replacement during chromatin condensation.

Sodium nitroprusside toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster: delayed pupation, reduced adult emergence, and induced oxidative/nitrosative stress in eclosed flies

The toxicity of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was tested on the Drosophila melanogaster model system. Fly larvae were raised on food supplemented with SNP at concentrations of 0.01-1.5 mM. Food supplementation with SNP caused a developmental delay in flies and reduced adult eclosion. Biochemical analyses such as levels of oxidative stress markers and activities of antioxidant and associated enzymes were carried out on 2-day-old flies emerged from control and SNP-fed larvae. Larval exposure to SNP resulted in lower activities of aconitase and catalase in adult flies relative to the control cohort. However, larval treatment with SNP led to higher carbonyl protein content and higher activities of superoxide dismutase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, thioredoxin reductase, and glutathione-S-transferase in flies. Among the parameters tested, aconitase activity and developmental end points may be useful early indicators of toxicity caused by SNP. The study also suggests that the toxicity of SNP may arise not just from its direct effects, but also from its decomposition products such as nitric oxide and iron ions.

Posttranscriptional control of X-chromosome dosage compensation

RNA regulation plays a major role in the generation of diversity at the molecular and cellular levels, and furnishes the cell with flexibility potential to adapt to changing environments. Often, the regulation by/of RNA dictates when, where, and how the information encoded in the nucleus is revealed. One example is the regulation of X-chromosome dosage compensation. In Drosophila, differences in X-linked gene dosage between males and females are compensated by the transcriptional upregulation of the single male X chromosome. Mechanisms of alternative splicing and translational control, among others, enforce dosage compensation in males while inhibiting this process in females. In this review, we discuss the posttranscriptional RNA regulatory mechanisms that ensure appropriate dosage compensation in Drosophila, drawing parallels with the mammalian system when appropriate.

Widespread regulation of gene expression in the Drosophila genome by the histone acetyltransferase dTip60

The MYST histone acetyltransferase (HAT) dTip60 is part of a multimeric protein complex that unites both HAT and chromatin remodeling activities. Here, we sought to gain insight into the biological functions of dTip60. Strong ubiquitous dTip60 knock-down in flies was lethal, whereas knock-down in the wing imaginal disk led to developmental defects in the wing. dTip60 localized to the nucleus in early embryos and was present in a large number of interbands on polytene chromosomes. Genome-wide expression analysis upon depletion of dTip60 in cell culture showed that it regulated a large number of genes in Drosophila, among which those with chromatin-related functions were highly enriched. Surprisingly, a significant portion of these genes were upregulated upon dTip60 loss, indicating that dTip60 has repressive as well as activating functions. dTip60 protein was directly located at promoter regions of a subset of repressed genes, suggesting a direct role in gene repression. Comparison of the gene expression signature of dTip60 downregulation with that of histone deacetylase inhibition with trichostatin A revealed a significant correlation, suggesting that the dTip60 complex recruits an HDAC-containing complex to regulate gene expression in the Drosophila genome.

X chromosomal regulation in flies: when less is more

In Drosophila, dosage compensation of the single male X chromosome involves upregulation of expression of X linked genes. Dosage compensation complex or the male specific lethal (MSL) complex is intimately involved in this regulation. The MSL complex members decorate the male X chromosome by binding on hundreds of sites along the X chromosome. Recent genome wide analysis has brought new light into X chromosomal regulation. It is becoming increasingly clear that although the X chromosome achieves male specific regulation via the MSL complex members, a number of general factors also impinge on this regulation. Future studies integrating these aspects promise to shed more light into this epigenetic phenomenon.

Restricting dosage compensation complex binding to the X chromosomes by H2A.Z/HTZ-1

Dosage compensation ensures similar levels of X-linked gene products in males (XY or XO) and females (XX), despite their different numbers of X chromosomes. In mammals, flies, and worms, dosage compensation is mediated by a specialized machinery that localizes to one or both of the X chromosomes in one sex resulting in a change in gene expression from the affected X chromosome(s). In mammals and flies, dosage compensation is associated with specific histone posttranslational modifications and replacement with variant histones. Until now, no specific histone modifications or histone variants have been implicated in Caenorhabditis elegans dosage compensation. Taking a candidate approach, we have looked at specific histone modifications and variants on the C. elegans dosage compensated X chromosomes. Using RNAi-based assays, we show that reducing levels of the histone H2A variant, H2A.Z (HTZ-1 in C. elegans), leads to partial disruption of dosage compensation. By immunofluorescence, we have observed that HTZ-1 is under-represented on the dosage compensated X chromosomes, but not on the non-dosage compensated male X chromosome. We find that reduction of HTZ-1 levels by RNA interference (RNAi) and mutation results in only a very modest change in dosage compensation complex protein levels. However, in these animals, the X chromosome-specific localization of the complex is partially disrupted, with some nuclei displaying DCC localization beyond the X chromosome territory. We propose a model in which HTZ-1, directly or indirectly, serves to restrict the dosage compensation complex to the X chromosome by acting as or regulating the activity of an autosomal repellant.

Imprinting of the Y chromosome influences dosage compensation in roX1 roX2 Drosophila melanogaster

Drosophila melanogaster males have a well-characterized regulatory system that increases X-linked gene expression. This essential process restores the balance between X-linked and autosomal gene products in males. A complex composed of the male-specific lethal (MSL) proteins and RNA is recruited to the body of transcribed X-linked genes where it modifies chromatin to increase expression. The RNA components of this complex, roX1 and roX2 (RNA on the X1, RNA on the X2), are functionally redundant. Males mutated for both roX genes have dramatically reduced survival. We show that reversal of sex chromosome inheritance suppresses lethality in roX1 roX2 males. Genetic tests indicate that the effect on male survival depends upon the presence and source of the Y chromosome, revealing a germ line imprint that influences dosage compensation. Conventional paternal transmission of the Y chromosome enhances roX1 roX2 lethality, while maternal transmission of the Y chromosome suppresses lethality. roX1 roX2 males with both maternal and paternal Y chromosomes have very low survival, indicating dominance of the paternal imprint. In an otherwise wild-type male, the Y chromosome does not appreciably affect dosage compensation. The influence of the Y chromosome, clearly apparent in roX1 roX2 mutants, thus requires a sensitized genetic background. We believe that the Y chromosome is likely to act through modulation of a process that is defective in roX1 roX2 mutants: X chromosome recognition or chromatin modification by the MSL complex.

The hexosamine signaling pathway: O-GlcNAc cycling in feast or famine

The enzymes of O-GlcNAc cycling couple the nutrient-dependent synthesis of UDP-GlcNAc to O-GlcNAc modification of Ser/Thr residues of key nuclear and cytoplasmic targets. This series of reactions culminating in O-GlcNAcylation of targets has been termed the hexosamine signaling pathway (HSP). The evolutionarily ancient enzymes of O-GlcNAc cycling have co-evolved with other signaling effecter molecules; they are recruited to their targets by many of the same mechanisms used to organize canonic kinase-dependent signaling pathways. This co-recruitment of the enzymes of O-GlcNAc cycling drives a binary switch impacting pathways of anabolism and growth (nutrient uptake) and catabolic pathways (nutrient sparing and salvage). The hexosamine signaling pathway (HSP) has thus emerged as a versatile cellular regulator modulating numerous cellular signaling cascades influencing growth, metabolism, cellular stress, circadian rhythm, and host-pathogen interactions. In mammals, the nutrient-sensing HSP has been harnessed to regulate such cell-specific functions as neutrophil migration, and activation of B-cells and T-cells. This review summarizes the diverse approaches being used to examine O-GlcNAc cycling. It will emphasize the impact O-GlcNAcylation has upon signaling pathways that may be become deregulated in diseases of the immune system, diabetes mellitus, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Buffering of segmental and chromosomal aneuploidies in Drosophila melanogaster

Chromosomal instability, which involves the deletion and duplication of chromosomes or chromosome parts, is a common feature of cancers, and deficiency screens are commonly used to detect genes involved in various biological pathways. However, despite their importance, the effects of deficiencies, duplications, and chromosome losses on the regulation of whole chromosomes and large chromosome domains are largely unknown. Therefore, to explore these effects, we examined expression patterns of genes in several Drosophila deficiency hemizygotes and a duplication hemizygote using microarrays. The results indicate that genes expressed in deficiency hemizygotes are significantly buffered, and that the buffering effect is general rather than being mainly mediated by feedback regulation of individual genes. In addition, differentially expressed genes in haploid condition appear to be generally more strongly buffered than ubiquitously expressed genes in haploid condition, but, among genes present in triploid condition, ubiquitously expressed genes are generally more strongly buffered than differentially expressed genes. Furthermore, we show that the 4^th chromosome is compensated in response to dose differences. Our results suggest general mechanisms have evolved that stimulate or repress gene expression of aneuploid regions as appropriate, and on the 4^th chromosome of Drosophila this compensation is mediated by Painting of Fourth (POF).

Although deletion heterozygotes and chromosomal aneuploidies have been used in genetic studies for decades, the relationships between chromosome doses and transcript outputs have been difficult to unravel. In other words, the effects of copy changes on the regulation of entire chromosomes or large chromosomal domains are largely unknown. Hence, we studied these relationships in Drosophila using microarrays prepared from flies with a dosage series of chromosomal domains and a dosage series of the 4^th chromosome. We observed significant buffering of expressed genes, i.e., on average they were expressed at >50% of wild-type levels when present in single copies instead of two copies (the normal complement of diploids). This buffering was also seen to be much stronger for differentially expressed genes than ubiquitously expressed genes. Our findings therefore support the presence of chromosome-wide buffering mechanisms. In addition, we found evidence of a chromosome-specific protein POF-mediated mechanism in the buffering of the 4^th chromosome. Overall, our results suggest that a general buffering system acts on most genes present as single copies due to deletions or chromosome losses. Further work on gene buffering effects should make substantial contributions to our understanding of genome-wide gene regulation.

Dual sex-specific functions of Drosophila Upstream of N-ras in the control of X chromosome dosage compensation

Dosage compensation in Drosophila melanogaster involves the assembly of the MSL-2-containing dosage compensation complex (DCC) on the single X chromosome of male flies. Translational repression of msl-2 mRNA blocks this process in females. Previous work indicated that the ubiquitous protein Upstream of N-ras (UNR) is a necessary co-factor for msl-2 repression in vitro. Here, we explore the function of UNR in vivo. Hypomorphic Unr mutant flies showed DCC assembly on high-affinity sites in the female X chromosomes, confirming that UNR inhibits dosage compensation in female flies. Unexpectedly, male mutant flies and UNR-depleted SL2 cells showed decreased DCC binding to the X chromosome, suggesting a role for UNR in DCC assembly or targeting. Consistent with this possibility, UNR overexpression resulted in moderate loss of DCC from the male X chromosome and predominant male lethality. Immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that UNR binds to roX1 and roX2, the non-coding RNA components of the DCC, providing possible targets for UNR function in males. These results uncover dual sex-specific functions of UNR in dosage compensation: to repress DCC formation in female flies and to promote DCC assembly on the male X chromosome.

Two classes of dosage compensation complex binding elements along Caenorhabditis elegans X chromosomes

Dosage compensation equalizes X-linked gene products between the sexes. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the dosage compensation complex (DCC) binds both X chromosomes in XX animals and halves the transcription from each. The DCC is recruited to the X chromosomes by a number of loci, rex sites, and is thought to spread from these sites by an unknown mechanism to cover the rest of the chromosome. Here we describe a novel class of DCC-binding elements that we propose serve as "way stations" for DCC binding and spreading. Both rex sites and way stations comprise strong foci of DCC binding on the native X chromosome. However, rex sites maintain their ability to bind large amounts of DCC even on X duplications detached from the native X, while way stations do not. These results suggest that two distinct classes of DCC-binding elements facilitate recruitment and spreading of the DCC along the X chromosome.

Somatic, germline and sex hierarchy regulated gene expression during Drosophila metamorphosis

Background

Drosophila melanogaster undergoes a complete metamorphosis, during which time the larval male and female forms transition into sexually dimorphic, reproductive adult forms. To understand this complex morphogenetic process at a molecular-genetic level, whole genome microarray analyses were performed.

Results

The temporal gene expression patterns during metamorphosis were determined for all predicted genes, in both somatic and germline tissues of males and females separately. Temporal changes in transcript abundance for genes of known functions were found to correlate with known developmental processes that occur during metamorphosis. We find that large numbers of genes are sex-differentially expressed in both male and female germline tissues, and relatively few are sex-differentially expressed in somatic tissues. The majority of genes with somatic, sex-differential expression were found to be expressed in a stage-specific manner, suggesting that they mediate discrete developmental events. The Sex-lethal paralog, CG3056, displays somatic, male-biased expression at several time points in metamorphosis. Gene expression downstream of the somatic, sex determination genes transformer and doublesex (dsx) was examined in two-day old pupae, which allowed for the identification of genes regulated as a consequence of the sex determination hierarchy. These include the homeotic gene abdominal A, which is more highly expressed in females as compared to males, as a consequence of dsx. For most genes regulated downstream of dsx during pupal development, the mode of regulation is distinct from that observed for the well-studied direct targets of DSX, Yolk protein 1 and 2.

Conclusion

The data and analyses presented here provide a comprehensive assessment of gene expression during metamorphosis in each sex, in both somatic and germline tissues. Many of the genes that underlie critical developmental processes during metamorphosis, including sex-specific processes, have been identified. These results provide a framework for further functional studies on the regulation of sex-specific development.

Cold-induced alteration in the global structure of the male sex chromosome of In1BM2(reinverted) of Drosophila melanogaster is associated with increased acetylation of histone 4 at lysine 16

In Drosophila melanogaster, dosage compensation occurs through hypertranscription of sex-linked genes in males. The hypertranscription involves acetylation of histone 4 at lysine 16 (H4K16) on amale X-chromosome, brought about by a histone acetyltransferase encoded by the dosage compensation gene, males absent on the first (mof). We report a phenomenon in the strain In(1)B(M2)(reinverted) of D. melanogaster where the global structure of the male X-chromosome can be altered at the third instar larval stage through a 4-h cold shock at 12+/-1 degrees C. We show that the cold shock results in a transient hyperacetylation of H4K16 and an increased expression of MOF. Control proteins H4 acetylated at lysine 5, and the dosage compensation gene msl-2, do not show any change in expression after cold shock. Cytology of the male X-chromosome at different time points during cold shock and recovery, suggests that the hyperacetylation of H4 at lysine 16 causes the X-chromosome to corkscrew into itself, thereby achieving the cold-induced change in the higher order structure of the male polytene X-chromosome. Our studies suggest a role for H4K16 in maintaining the structure of the male X-chromosome in Drosophila.

MSL2 promotes Mdm2-independent cytoplasmic localization of p53

Although it was originally thought of as a passive way to block the nuclear function of p53, accumulating evidence suggests that cytoplasmic localization of p53 plays an active role in p53-mediated functions such as apoptosis and autophagy. Previous studies by us and others demonstrated that Mdm2-mediated p53 ubiquitination induces both degradation and cytoplasmic localization. Here we describe MSL2, a novel E3 ligase for p53 that promotes ubiquitin-dependent cytoplasmic p53 localization. Unlike Mdm2 or most other p53 E3 ligases, MSL2-mediated p53 ubiquitination does not affect the stability of p53. Moreover, the MSL2-mediated effect on p53 is Mdm2-independent. Thus, our study identifies an important ubiquitin-ligase for modulating p53 subcellular localization.

Genome-wide analysis reveals MOF as a key regulator of dosage compensation and gene expression in Drosophila

Dosage compensation, mediated by the MSL complex, regulates X-chromosomal gene expression in Drosophila. Here we report that the histone H4 lysine 16 (H4K16) specific histone acetyltransferase MOF displays differential binding behavior depending on whether the target gene is located on the X chromosome versus the autosomes. More specifically, on the male X chromosome, where MSL1 and MSL3 are preferentially associated with the 3' end of dosage compensated genes, MOF displays a bimodal distribution binding to promoters and the 3' ends of genes. In contrast, on MSL1/MSL3 independent X-linked genes and autosomal genes in males and females, MOF binds primarily to promoters. Binding of MOF to autosomes is functional, as H4K16 acetylation and the transcription levels of a number of genes are affected upon MOF depletion. Therefore, MOF is not only involved in the onset of dosage compensation, but also acts as a regulator of gene expression in the Drosophila genome.

SU(VAR)3-7 links heterochromatin and dosage compensation in Drosophila

In Drosophila, dosage compensation augments X chromosome-linked transcription in males relative to females. This process is achieved by the Dosage Compensation Complex (DCC), which associates specifically with the male X chromosome. We previously found that the morphology of this chromosome is sensitive to the amounts of the heterochromatin-associated protein SU(VAR)3-7. In this study, we examine the impact of change in levels of SU(VAR)3-7 on dosage compensation. We first demonstrate that the DCC makes the X chromosome a preferential target for heterochromatic markers. In addition, reduced or increased amounts of SU(VAR)3-7 result in redistribution of the DCC proteins MSL1 and MSL2, and of Histone 4 acetylation of lysine 16, indicating that a wild-type dose of SU(VAR)3-7 is required for X-restricted DCC targeting. SU(VAR)3-7 is also involved in the dosage compensated expression of the X-linked white gene. Finally, we show that absence of maternally provided SU(VAR)3-7 renders dosage compensation toxic in males, and that global amounts of heterochromatin affect viability of ectopic MSL2-expressing females. Taken together, these results bring to light a link between heterochromatin and dosage compensation.

In Drosophila, females have two X chromosomes and males only one. The difference in the dose of X-associated genes is compensated by male-specific protein machinery, the Dosage Compensation Complex (DCC), which augments the activity of genes of the single male X. We report that the specific targeting of the DCC on the male X chromosome depends critically on the correct dose of the SU(VAR)3-7 protein. This protein was previously known to associate with condensed and silenced regions of the chromosomes called heterochromatin by contrast with the active form of chromatin called euchromatin. Loss of SU(VAR)3-7 in males causes displacement of the DCC to heterochromatin and bloating of the X chromosome. In contrast, excess of SU(VAR)3-7 leads to a delocalization of the DCC to other chromosomes and to massive shrinking of the X chromosome. We show that SU(VAR)3-7 is involved in the dosage compensated expression of the X-linked white gene and in the viability of dosage compensated flies. Altogether, these results bring to light a link between silencing mechanisms of heterochromatin and mechanisms controlling the balance of sex-chromosome activity (dosage compensation). This opens new perspectives on how complexes that control the global chromosome organisation impact the fine tuning of gene expression.

Transcription-coupled methylation of histone H3 at lysine 36 regulates dosage compensation by enhancing recruitment of the MSL complex in Drosophila melanogaster

In Drosophila melanogaster, dosage compensation relies on the targeting of the male-specific lethal (MSL) complex to hundreds of sites along the male X chromosome. Transcription-coupled methylation of histone H3 lysine 36 is enriched toward the 3' end of active genes, similar to the MSL proteins. Here, we have studied the link between histone H3 methylation and MSL complex targeting using RNA interference and chromatin immunoprecipitation. We show that trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 36 (H3K36me3) relies on the histone methyltransferase Hypb and is localized promoter distal at dosage-compensated genes, similar to active genes on autosomes. However, H3K36me3 has an X-specific function, as reduction specifically decreases acetylation of histone H4 lysine 16 on the male X chromosome. This hypoacetylation is caused by compromised MSL binding and results in a failure to increase expression twofold. Thus, H3K36me3 marks the body of all active genes yet is utilized in a chromosome-specific manner to enhance histone acetylation at sites of dosage compensation.

Functional domains of Drosophila UNR in translational control

Translational repression of male-specific-lethal 2 (msl-2) mRNA by Sex-lethal (SXL) is an essential regulatory step of X chromosome dosage compensation in Drosophila. Translation inhibition requires that SXL recruits the protein upstream of N-ras (UNR) to the 3' UTR of msl-2 mRNA. UNR is a conserved, ubiquitous protein that contains five cold-shock domains (CSDs). Here, we dissect the domains of UNR required for translational repression and complex formation with SXL and msl-2 mRNA. Using gel-mobility shift assays, the domain involved in interactions with SXL and msl-2 was mapped specifically to the first CSD (CSD1). Indeed, excess of a peptide containing this domain derepressed msl-2 translation in vitro. The CSD1 of human UNR can also form a complex with SXL and msl-2. Comparative analyses of the CSDs of the Drosophila and human proteins together with site-directed mutagenesis experiments revealed that three exposed residues within CSD1 are required for complex formation. Tethering assays showed that CSD1 is not sufficient for translational repression, indicating that UNR binding to SXL and msl-2 can be distinguished from translation inhibition. Repression by tethered UNR requires residues from both the amino-terminal Q-rich stretch and the two first CSDs, indicating that the translational effector domain of UNR resides within the first 397 amino acids of the protein. Our results identify domains and residues required for UNR function in translational control.

Cotranscriptional recruitment of the dosage compensation complex to X-linked target genes

Dosage compensation is a process required to balance the expression of X-linked genes between males and females. In Drosophila this is achieved by targeting the dosage compensation complex or the male-specific lethal (MSL) complex to the male X chromosome. In order to study the mechanism of targeting, we have studied two X-chromosomal genes, mof and CG3016, using chromatin immunoprecipitation as well as immuno-FISH analysis on transgenic flies. We show that MSL complex recruitment requires the genes to be in a transcriptionally active state. MSL complex recruitment is reversible because blocking transcription severely reduces MSL binding to its target genes. Furthermore, targeting cues are found toward the 3' end of the gene and depend on the passage of the transcription machinery through the gene, whereby the type of promoter and the direction of transcription are dispensable. We propose a model of dynamic MSL complex binding to active genes based on exposed DNA target elements.

Males absent on the first (MOF): from flies to humans

Histone modifications such as acetylation, methylation and phosphorylation have been implicated in fundamental cellular processes such as epigenetic regulation of gene expression, organization of chromatin structure, chromosome segregation, DNA replication and DNA repair. Males absent on the first (MOF) is responsible for acetylating histone H4 at lysine 16 (H4K16) and is a key component of the MSL complex required for dosage compensation in Drosophila. The human ortholog of MOF (hMOF) has the same substrate specificity and recent purification of the human and Drosophila MOF complexes showed that these complexes were also highly conserved through evolution. Several studies have shown that loss of hMOF in mammalian cells leads to a number of different phenotypes; a G2/M cell cycle arrest, nuclear morphological defects, spontaneous chromosomal aberrations, reduced transcription of certain genes and an impaired DNA repair response upon ionizing irradiation. Moreover, hMOF is involved in ATM activation in response to DNA damage and acetylation of p53 by hMOF influences the cell's decision to undergo apoptosis instead of a cell cycle arrest. These data, highlighting hMOF as an important component of many cellular processes, as well as links between hMOF and cancer will be discussed.

The nuclear envelope and transcriptional control

Cells have evolved sophisticated multi-protein complexes that can regulate gene activity at various steps of the transcription process. Recent advances highlight the role of nuclear positioning in the control of gene expression and have put nuclear envelope components at centre stage. On the inner face of the nuclear envelope, active genes localize to nuclear-pore structures whereas silent chromatin localizes to non-pore sites. Nuclear-pore components seem to not only recruit the RNA-processing and RNA-export machinery, but contribute a level of regulation that might enhance gene expression in a heritable manner.