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Ni Y, Qiao Y, Tian X, Li H, Meng Y, Li C, Du W, Sun T, Zhu K, Huang W, Yan H, Li J, Zhou R, Ding C, Gao X. Unraveling the mechanism of thermotolerance by Set302 in Cryptococcus neoformans. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0420223. [PMID: 38874428 PMCID: PMC11302353 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04202-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
The underlying mechanism of thermotolerance, which is a key virulence factor essential for pathogenic fungi such as Cryptococcus neoformans, is largely unexplored. In this study, our findings suggest that Set302, a homolog of Set3 and a subunit of histone deacetylase complex Set3C, contributes to thermotolerance in C. neoformans. Specifically, the deletion of the predicted Set3C core subunit, Set302, resulted in further reduction in the growth of C. neoformans at 39°C, and survival of transient incubation at 50°C. Transcriptomics analysis revealed that the expression levels of numerous heat stress-responsive genes altered at both 30°C and 39°C due to the lack of Set302. Notably, at 39°C, the absence of Set302 led to the downregulation of gene expression related to the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). Based on the GFP-α-synuclein overexpression model to characterize misfolded proteins, we observed a pronounced accumulation of misfolded GFP-α-synuclein at 39°C, consequently inhibiting C. neoformans thermotolerance. Furthermore, the loss of Set302 exacerbated the accumulation of misfolded GFP-α-synuclein during heat stress. Interestingly, the set302∆ strain exhibited a similar phenotype under proteasome stress as it did at 39°C. Moreover, the absence of Set302 led to reduced production of capsule and melanin. set302∆ strain also displayed significantly reduced pathogenicity and colonization ability compared to the wild-type strain in the murine infection model. Collectively, our findings suggest that Set302 modulates thermotolerance by affecting the degradation of misfolded proteins and multiple virulence factors to mediate the pathogenicity of C. neoformans.IMPORTANCECryptococcus neoformans is a pathogenic fungus that poses a potential and significant threat to public health. Thermotolerance plays a crucial role in the wide distribution in natural environments and host colonization of this fungus. Herein, Set302, a critical core subunit for the integrity of histone deacetylase complex Set3C and widely distributed in various fungi and mammals, governs thermotolerance and affects survival at extreme temperatures as well as the formation of capsule and melanin in C. neoformans. Additionally, Set302 participates in regulating the expression of multiple genes associated with the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). By eliminating misfolded proteins under heat stress, Set302 significantly contributes to the thermotolerance of C. neoformans. Moreover, Set302 regulates the pathogenicity and colonization ability of C. neoformans in a murine model. Overall, this study provides new insight into the mechanism of thermotolerance in C. neoformans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Ni
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yue Qiao
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Xing Tian
- Department of Emergency, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hailong Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yang Meng
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Chao Li
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Wei Du
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Tianshu Sun
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Mechanisms Research and Precision Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Diseases, Beijing, China
- Medical Research Centre, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Keting Zhu
- Department of Emergency, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Emergency, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - He Yan
- Department of Emergency, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jia Li
- Department of Emergency, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Renjie Zhou
- Department of Emergency, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chen Ding
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Xindi Gao
- Department of Emergency, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Heterochromatin and RNAi act independently to ensure genome stability in Mucorales human fungal pathogens. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2220475120. [PMID: 36745785 PMCID: PMC9963178 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2220475120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromatin modifications play a fundamental role in controlling transcription and genome stability and yet despite their importance, are poorly understood in early-diverging fungi. We present a comprehensive study of histone lysine and DNA methyltransferases across the Mucoromycota, emphasizing heterochromatin formation pathways that rely on the Clr4 complex involved in H3K9-methylation, the Polycomb-repressive complex 2 driving H3K27-methylation, or DNMT1-like methyltransferases that catalyze 5mC DNA methylation. Our analysis uncovered H3K9-methylated heterochromatin as the major chromatin modification repressing transcription in these fungi, which lack both Polycomb silencing and cytosine methylation. Although small RNAs generated by RNA interference (RNAi) pathways facilitate the formation of heterochromatin in many eukaryotic organisms, we show that RNAi is not required to maintain either genomic or centromeric heterochromatin in Mucor. H3K9-methylation and RNAi act independently to control centromeric regions, suggesting a functional subspecialization. Whereas the H3K9 methyltransferase Clr4 and heterochromatin formation are essential for cell viability, RNAi is dispensable for viability yet acts as the main epigenetic, regulatory force repressing transposition of centromeric GremLINE1 elements. Mutations inactivating canonical RNAi lead to rampant transposition and insertional inactivation of targets resulting in antimicrobial drug resistance. This fine-tuned, Rdrp2-dependent RNAi activity is critical for genome stability, restricting GremLINE1 retroelements to the centromeres where they occupy long heterochromatic islands. Taken together, our results suggest that RNAi and heterochromatin formation are independent genome defense and regulatory mechanisms in the Mucorales, contributing to a paradigm shift from the cotranscriptional gene silencing observed in fission yeasts to models in which heterochromatin and RNAi operate independently in early-diverging fungi.
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Phylogenomic and Evolutionary Analyses Reveal Diversifications of SET-Domain Proteins in Fungi. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8111159. [DOI: 10.3390/jof8111159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, many publications have established histone lysine methylation as a central epigenetic modification in the regulation of chromatin and transcription. The histone lysine methyltransferases contain a conserved SET domain and are widely distributed in various organisms. However, a comprehensive study on the origin and diversification of the SET-domain-containing genes in fungi has not been conducted. In this study, a total of 3816 SET-domain-containing genes, which were identified and characterized using HmmSearch from 229 whole genomes sequenced fungal species, were used to ascertain their evolution and diversification in fungi. Using the CLANS program, all the SET-domain-containing genes were grouped into three main clusters, and each cluster contains several groups. Domain organization analysis showed that genes belonging to the same group have similar sequence structures. In contrast, different groups process domain organizations or locations differently, suggesting the SET-domain-containing genes belonging to different groups may have obtained distinctive regulatory mechanisms during their evolution. These genes that conduct the histone methylations (such as H3K4me, H3K9me, H3K27me, H4K20me, H3K36me) are mainly grouped into Cluster 1 while the other genes grouped into Clusters 2 and 3 are still functionally undetermined. Our results also showed that numerous gene duplication and loss events have happened during the evolution of those fungal SET-domain-containing proteins. Our results provide novel insights into the roles of SET-domain genes in fungal evolution and pave a fundamental path to further understanding the epigenetic basis of gene regulation in fungi.
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Zhang X, Noberini R, Bonaldi T, Collemare J, Seidl MF. The histone code of the fungal genus Aspergillus uncovered by evolutionary and proteomic analyses. Microb Genom 2022; 8. [PMID: 36129736 PMCID: PMC9676040 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemical modifications of DNA and histone proteins impact the organization of chromatin within the nucleus. Changes in these modifications, catalysed by different chromatin-modifying enzymes, influence chromatin organization, which in turn is thought to impact the spatial and temporal regulation of gene expression. While combinations of different histone modifications, the histone code, have been studied in several model species, we know very little about histone modifications in the fungal genus Aspergillus, whose members are generally well studied due to their importance as models in cell and molecular biology as well as their medical and biotechnological relevance. Here, we used phylogenetic analyses in 94 Aspergilli as well as other fungi to uncover the occurrence and evolutionary trajectories of enzymes and protein complexes with roles in chromatin modifications or regulation. We found that these enzymes and complexes are highly conserved in Aspergilli, pointing towards a complex repertoire of chromatin modifications. Nevertheless, we also observed few recent gene duplications or losses, highlighting Aspergillus species to further study the roles of specific chromatin modifications. SET7 (KMT6) and other components of PRC2 (Polycomb Repressive Complex 2), which is responsible for methylation on histone H3 at lysine 27 in many eukaryotes including fungi, are absent in Aspergilli as well as in closely related Penicillium species, suggesting that these lost the capacity for this histone modification. We corroborated our computational predictions by performing untargeted MS analysis of histone post-translational modifications in Aspergillus nidulans. This systematic analysis will pave the way for future research into the complexity of the histone code and its functional implications on genome architecture and gene regulation in fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhang
- Theoretical Biology & Bioinformatics Group, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Roberta Noberini
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139 Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana Bonaldi
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139 Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Haematology-Oncology, University of Milano, Via Santa Sofia 9/1, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Jerome Collemare
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Michael F Seidl
- Theoretical Biology & Bioinformatics Group, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Oya S, Takahashi M, Takashima K, Kakutani T, Inagaki S. Transcription-coupled and epigenome-encoded mechanisms direct H3K4 methylation. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4521. [PMID: 35953471 PMCID: PMC9372134 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32165-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mono-, di-, and trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4me1/2/3) are associated with transcription, yet it remains controversial whether H3K4me1/2/3 promote or result from transcription. Our previous characterizations of Arabidopsis H3K4 demethylases suggest roles for H3K4me1 in transcription. However, the control of H3K4me1 remains unexplored in Arabidopsis, in which no methyltransferase for H3K4me1 has been identified. Here, we identify three Arabidopsis methyltransferases that direct H3K4me1. Analyses of their genome-wide localization using ChIP-seq and machine learning reveal that one of the enzymes cooperates with the transcription machinery, while the other two are associated with specific histone modifications and DNA sequences. Importantly, these two types of localization patterns are also found for the other H3K4 methyltransferases in Arabidopsis and mice. These results suggest that H3K4me1/2/3 are established and maintained via interplay with transcription as well as inputs from other chromatin features, presumably enabling elaborate gene control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoyo Oya
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| | | | | | - Tetsuji Kakutani
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
- National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Japan.
| | - Soichi Inagaki
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
- PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Japan.
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6
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Xiao M, Wang J, Xu F. Methylation hallmarks on the histone tail as a linker of osmotic stress and gene transcription. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:967607. [PMID: 36035677 PMCID: PMC9399788 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.967607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Plants dynamically manipulate their gene expression in acclimation to the challenging environment. Hereinto, the histone methylation tunes the gene transcription via modulation of the chromatin accessibility to transcription machinery. Osmotic stress, which is caused by water deprivation or high concentration of ions, can trigger remarkable changes in histone methylation landscape and genome-wide reprogramming of transcription. However, the dynamic regulation of genes, especially how stress-inducible genes are timely epi-regulated by histone methylation remains largely unclear. In this review, recent findings on the interaction between histone (de)methylation and osmotic stress were summarized, with emphasis on the effects on histone methylation profiles imposed by stress and how histone methylation works to optimize the performance of plants under stress.
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7
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Chen Q, Zhang J, Li G. Dynamic epigenetic modifications in plant sugar signal transduction. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 27:379-390. [PMID: 34865981 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2021.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
In eukaryotes, dynamic chromatin states are closely related to changes in gene expression. Epigenetic modifications help plants adapt to their ever-changing environment by modulating gene expression via covalent modification at specific sites on DNA or histones. Sugars provide energy, but also function as signaling molecules to control plant growth and development. Various epigenetic modifications participate in sensing and transmitting sugar signals. Here we summarize recent progress in uncovering the epigenetic mechanisms involved in sugar signal transduction, including histone acetylation and deacetylation, histone methylation and demethylation, and DNA methylation. We also highlight changes in chromatin marks when crosstalk occurs between sugar signaling and the light, temperature, and phytohormone signaling pathways, and describe potential questions and approaches for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingshuai Chen
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, Dezhou University, Dezhou 253023, Shandong, China; State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, Shandong, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, Shandong, China
| | - Gang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, Shandong, China.
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8
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Yao Y, Wen Q, Zhang T, Yu C, Chan KM, Gan H. Advances in Approaches to Study Chromatin-Mediated Epigenetic Memory. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:16-25. [PMID: 34965084 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Chromatin structure contains critical epigenetic information in various forms, such as histone post-translational modifications (PTMs). The deposition of certain histone PTMs can remodel the chromatin structure, resulting in gene expression alteration. The epigenetic information carried by histone PTMs could be inherited by daughter cells to maintain the gene expression status. Recently, studies revealed that several conserved replisome proteins regulate the recycling of parental histones carrying epigenetic information in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Hence, the proper recycling and deposition of parental histones onto newly synthesized DNA strands is presumed to be essential for epigenetic inheritance. Here, we first reviewed the fundamental mechanisms of epigenetic modification establishment and maintenance discovered within fungal models. Next, we discussed the functions of parental histone chaperones and the potential impacts of the parental histone recycling process on heterochromatin-mediated transcriptional silencing inheritance. Subsequently, we summarized novel synthetic biology approaches developed to analyze individual epigenetic components during epigenetic inheritance in fungal and mammalian systems. These newly emerged research paradigms enable us to dissect epigenetic systems in a bottom-up manner. Furthermore, we highlighted the approaches developed in this emerging field and discussed the potential applications of these engineered regulators to building synthetic epigenetic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Yao
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Qing Wen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Tianjun Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Chuanhe Yu
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota 55912, United States
| | - Kui Ming Chan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Centre, Shenzhen Research Institute of City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China
| | - Haiyun Gan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
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9
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Erlendson AA, Freitag M. Not all Is SET for Methylation: Evolution of Eukaryotic Protein Methyltransferases. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2529:3-40. [PMID: 35733008 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2481-4_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Dynamic posttranslational modifications to canonical histones that constitute the nucleosome (H2A, H2B, H3, and H4) control all aspects of enzymatic transactions with DNA. Histone methylation has been studied heavily for the past 20 years, and our mechanistic understanding of the control and function of individual methylation events on specific histone arginine and lysine residues has been greatly improved over the past decade, driven by excellent new tools and methods. Here, we will summarize what is known about the distribution and some of the functions of protein methyltransferases from all major eukaryotic supergroups. The main conclusion is that protein, and specifically histone, methylation is an ancient process. Many taxa in all supergroups have lost some subfamilies of both protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMT) and the heavily studied SET domain lysine methyltransferases (KMT). Over time, novel subfamilies, especially of SET domain proteins, arose. We use the interactions between H3K27 and H3K36 methylation as one example for the complex circuitry of histone modifications that make up the "histone code," and we discuss one recent example (Paramecium Ezl1) for how extant enzymes that may resemble more ancient SET domain KMTs are able to modify two lysine residues that have divergent functions in plants, fungi, and animals. Complexity of SET domain KMT function in the well-studied plant and animal lineages arose not only by gene duplication but also acquisition of novel DNA- and histone-binding domains in certain subfamilies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allyson A Erlendson
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Michael Freitag
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA.
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10
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Ectopic Overexpression of Histone H3K4 Methyltransferase CsSDG36 from Tea Plant Decreases Hyperosmotic Stress Tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22105064. [PMID: 34064673 PMCID: PMC8150943 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Histone methylation plays an important regulatory role in the drought response of many plants, but its regulatory mechanism in the drought response of the tea plant remains poorly understood. Here, drought stress was shown to induce lower relative water content and significantly downregulate the methylations of histone H3K4 in the tea plant. Based on our previous analysis of the SET Domain Group (SDG) gene family, the full-length coding sequence (CDS) of CsSDG36 was cloned from the tea cultivar ‘Fuding Dabaicha’. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the open reading frame (ORF) of the CsSDG36 gene was 3138 bp, encoding 1045 amino acids and containing the conserved structural domains of PWWP, PHD, SET and PostSET. The CsSDG36 protein showed a close relationship to AtATX4 of the TRX subfamily, with a molecular weight of 118,249.89 Da, and a theoretical isoelectric point of 8.87, belonging to a hydrophilic protein without a transmembrane domain, probably located on the nucleus. The expression of CsSDG36 was not detected in the wild type, while it was clearly detected in the over-expression lines of Arabidopsis. Compared with the wild type, the over-expression lines exhibited lower hyperosmotic resistance by accelerating plant water loss, increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) pressure, and increasing leaf stomatal density. RNA-seq analysis suggested that the CsSDG36 overexpression caused the differential expression of genes related to chromatin assembly, microtubule assembly, and leaf stomatal development pathways. qRT-PCR analysis revealed the significant down-regulation of stomatal development-related genes (BASL, SBT1.2(SDD1), EPF2, TCX3, CHAL, TMM, SPCH, ERL1, and EPFL9) in the overexpression lines. This study provides a novel sight on the function of histone methyltransferase CsSDG36 under drought stress.
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11
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H3K4me2 ChIP-Seq reveals the epigenetic landscape during mushroom formation and novel developmental regulators of Schizophyllum commune. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8178. [PMID: 33854169 PMCID: PMC8046757 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87635-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Mushroom formation represents the most complex multicellular development in fungi. In the model mushroom Schizophyllum commune, comparative genomics and transcriptomics have previously resulted in a regulatory model of mushroom development. However, little is known about the role of epigenetic regulation. We used chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-Seq) to determine the distribution of dimethylation of lysine 4 on histone H3 (H3K4me2), a mark for transcriptionally active genes, during monokaryotic and dikaryotic development. We identified a total of 6032 and 5889 sites during monokaryotic and dikaryotic development, respectively. The sites were strongly enriched near translation initiation sites of genes. Although the overall epigenetic landscape was similar between both conditions, we identified 837 sites of differential enrichment during monokaryotic or dikaryotic development, associated with 965 genes. Six transcription factor genes were enriched in H3K4me2 during dikaryotic development, indicating that these are epigenetically regulated during development. Deletion of two of these genes (fst1 and zfc7) resulted in arrested development of fruiting bodies, resulting in immature mushrooms. Together these results indicate that H3K4me2 ChIP-Seq is a powerful new tool to map the restructuring of the epigenetic landscape during mushroom development. Moreover, it can be used to identify novel developmental regulators.
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12
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Wang X, Wang D, Xu W, Kong L, Ye X, Zhuang Q, Fan D, Luo K. Histone methyltransferase ATX1 dynamically regulates fiber secondary cell wall biosynthesis in Arabidopsis inflorescence stem. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:190-205. [PMID: 33332564 PMCID: PMC7797065 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa1191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Secondary wall thickening in the sclerenchyma cells is strictly controlled by a complex network of transcription factors in vascular plants. However, little is known about the epigenetic mechanism regulating secondary wall biosynthesis. In this study, we identified that ARABIDOPSIS HOMOLOG of TRITHORAX1 (ATX1), a H3K4-histone methyltransferase, mediates the regulation of fiber cell wall development in inflorescence stems of Arabidopsis thaliana. Genome-wide analysis revealed that the up-regulation of genes involved in secondary wall formation during stem development is largely coordinated by increasing level of H3K4 tri-methylation. Among all histone methyltransferases for H3K4me3 in Arabidopsis, ATX1 is markedly increased during the inflorescence stem development and loss-of-function mutant atx1 was impaired in secondary wall thickening in interfascicular fibers. Genetic analysis showed that ATX1 positively regulates secondary wall deposition through activating the expression of secondary wall NAC master switch genes, SECONDARY WALL-ASSOCIATED NAC DOMAIN PROTEIN1 (SND1) and NAC SECONDARY WALL THICKENING PROMOTING FACTOR1 (NST1). We further identified that ATX1 directly binds the loci of SND1 and NST1, and activates their expression by increasing H3K4me3 levels at these loci. Taken together, our results reveal that ATX1 plays a key role in the regulation of secondary wall biosynthesis in interfascicular fibers during inflorescence stem development of Arabidopsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianqiang Wang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Denghui Wang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Wenjian Xu
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetics of Birth Defects, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute; MOE Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children; Genetics and Birth Defects Control Center, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Lingfei Kong
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xiao Ye
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Qianye Zhuang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Di Fan
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.,Key Laboratory of Eco-environments of Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Keming Luo
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.,Key Laboratory of Eco-environments of Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
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Courtney AJ, Kamei M, Ferraro AR, Gai K, He Q, Honda S, Lewis ZA. Normal Patterns of Histone H3K27 Methylation Require the Histone Variant H2A.Z in Neurospora crassa. Genetics 2020; 216:51-66. [PMID: 32651262 PMCID: PMC7463285 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.120.303442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurospora crassa contains a minimal Polycomb repression system, which provides rich opportunities to explore Polycomb-mediated repression across eukaryotes and enables genetic studies that can be difficult in plant and animal systems. Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 is a multi-subunit complex that deposits mono-, di-, and trimethyl groups on lysine 27 of histone H3, and trimethyl H3K27 is a molecular marker of transcriptionally repressed facultative heterochromatin. In mouse embryonic stem cells and multiple plant species, H2A.Z has been found to be colocalized with H3K27 methylation. H2A.Z is required for normal H3K27 methylation in these experimental systems, though the regulatory mechanisms are not well understood. We report here that Neurospora crassa mutants lacking H2A.Z or SWR-1, the ATP-dependent histone variant exchanger, exhibit a striking reduction in levels of H3K27 methylation. RNA-sequencing revealed downregulation of eed, encoding a subunit of PRC2, in an hH2Az mutant compared to wild type, and overexpression of EED in a ΔhH2Az;Δeed background restored most H3K27 methylation. Reduced eed expression leads to region-specific losses of H3K27 methylation, suggesting that differential dependence on EED concentration is critical for normal H3K27 methylation at certain regions in the genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail J Courtney
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | - Masayuki Kamei
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | - Aileen R Ferraro
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | - Kexin Gai
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Qun He
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shinji Honda
- Division of Chromosome Biology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, 910-1193, Japan
| | - Zachary A Lewis
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
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14
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Ridenour JB, Möller M, Freitag M. Polycomb Repression without Bristles: Facultative Heterochromatin and Genome Stability in Fungi. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:E638. [PMID: 32527036 PMCID: PMC7348808 DOI: 10.3390/genes11060638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome integrity is essential to maintain cellular function and viability. Consequently, genome instability is frequently associated with dysfunction in cells and associated with plant, animal, and human diseases. One consequence of relaxed genome maintenance that may be less appreciated is an increased potential for rapid adaptation to changing environments in all organisms. Here, we discuss evidence for the control and function of facultative heterochromatin, which is delineated by methylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me) in many fungi. Aside from its relatively well understood role in transcriptional repression, accumulating evidence suggests that H3K27 methylation has an important role in controlling the balance between maintenance and generation of novelty in fungal genomes. We present a working model for a minimal repressive network mediated by H3K27 methylation in fungi and outline challenges for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Michael Freitag
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis OR 97331, USA; (J.B.R.); (M.M.)
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15
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Liu Y, Wang J, Yin H, Zhang A, Huang S, Wang TJ, Meng Q, Nan N, Wu Y, Guo P, Ahmad R, Liu B, Xu ZY. Trithorax-group protein ATX5 mediates the glucose response via impacting the HY1-ABI4 signaling module. PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 98:495-506. [PMID: 30406469 DOI: 10.1007/s11103-018-0791-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Trithorax-group Protein ARABIDOPSIS TRITHORAX5 modulates the glucose response. Glucose is an evolutionarily conserved modulator from unicellular microorganisms to multicellular animals and plants. Extensive studies have shown that the Trithorax-group proteins (TrxGs) play essential roles in different biological processes by affecting histone modifications and chromatin structures. However, whether TrxGs function in the glucose response and how they achieve the control of target genes in response to glucose signaling in plants remain unknown. Here, we show that the Trithorax-group Protein ARABIDOPSIS TRITHORAX5 (ATX5) affects the glucose response and signaling. atx5 loss-of-function mutants display glucose-oversensitive phenotypes compared to the wild-type (WT). Genome-wide RNA-sequencing analyses have revealed that ATX5 impacts the expression of a subset of glucose signaling responsive genes. Intriguingly, we have established that ATX5 directly controls the expression of HY1 by trimethylating H3 lysine 4 of the Arabidopsis Heme Oxygenase1 (HY1) locus. Glucose signaling causes the suppression of ATX5 activity and subsequently reduces the H3K4me3 levels at the HY1 locus, thereby leading to the increased expression of ABSCISIC ACID-INSENSITIVE4 (ABI4). This result suggests that an important ATX5-HY1-ABI4 regulatory module governs the glucose response. This idea is further supported by genetic evidence showing that an atx5 hy1-100 abi4 triple mutant showed a similar glucose-insensitive phenotype as compared to that of the abi4 single mutant. Our findings show that a novel ATX5-HY1-ABI4 module controls the glucose response in Arabidopsis thaliana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Yin
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, People's Republic of China
| | - Ai Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuangzhan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, People's Republic of China
| | - Tian-Jing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingxiang Meng
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, People's Republic of China
| | - Nan Nan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, People's Republic of China
| | - Yifan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, People's Republic of China
| | - Peng Guo
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, People's Republic of China
| | - Rafiq Ahmad
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, People's Republic of China
| | - Bao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zheng-Yi Xu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, People's Republic of China.
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16
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Liu Y, Zhang A, Yin H, Meng Q, Yu X, Huang S, Wang J, Ahmad R, Liu B, Xu ZY. Trithorax-group proteins ARABIDOPSIS TRITHORAX4 (ATX4) and ATX5 function in abscisic acid and dehydration stress responses. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2018; 217:1582-1597. [PMID: 29250818 DOI: 10.1111/nph.14933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Trithorax-group proteins (TrxGs) play essential regulatory roles in chromatin modification to activate transcription. Although TrxGs have been shown to be extensively involved in the activation of developmental genes, how the specific TrxGs function in the dehydration and abscisic acid (ABA)-mediated modulation of downstream gene expression remains unknown. Here, we report that two evolutionarily conserved Arabidopsis thaliana TrxGs, ARABIDOPSIS TRITHORAX4 (ATX4) and ATX5, play essential roles in the drought stress response. atx4 and atx5 single loss-of-function mutants showed drought stress-tolerant and ABA-hypersensitive phenotypes during seed germination and seedling development, while the atx4 atx5 double mutant displayed further exacerbation of the phenotypes. Genome-wide RNA-sequencing analyses showed that ATX4 and ATX5 regulate the expression of genes functioning in dehydration stress. Intriguingly, ABA-HYPERSENSITIVE GERMINATION 3 (AHG3), an essential negative regulator of ABA signaling, acts genetically downstream of ATX4 and ATX5 in response to ABA. ATX4 and ATX5 directly bind to the AHG3 locus and trimethylate histone H3 of Lys 4 (H3K4). Moreover, ATX4 and ATX5 occupancies at AHG3 are dramatically increased under ABA treatment, and are also essential for RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) occupancies. Our findings reveal novel molecular functions of A. thaliana TrxGs in dehydration stress and ABA responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Ai Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Hao Yin
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Qingxiang Meng
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Xiaoming Yu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Shuangzhan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Rafiq Ahmad
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Bao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Zheng-Yi Xu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
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17
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Satish M, Nivya MA, Abhishek S, Nakarakanti NK, Shivani D, Vani MV, Rajakumara E. Computational characterization of substrate and product specificities, and functionality of S-adenosylmethionine binding pocket in histone lysine methyltransferases from Arabidopsis, rice and maize. Proteins 2017; 86:21-34. [PMID: 29024026 DOI: 10.1002/prot.25399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Revised: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Histone lysine methylation by histone lysine methyltransferases (HKMTs) has been implicated in regulation of gene expression. While significant progress has been made to understand the roles and mechanisms of animal HKMT functions, only a few plant HKMTs are functionally characterized. To unravel histone substrate specificity, degree of methylation and catalytic activity, we analyzed Arabidopsis Trithorax-like protein (ATX), Su(var)3-9 homologs protein (SUVH), Su(var)3-9 related protein (SUVR), ATXR5, ATXR6, and E(Z) HKMTs of Arabidopsis, maize and rice through sequence and structure comparison. We show that ATXs may exhibit methyltransferase specificity toward histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4) and might catalyse the trimethylation. Our analyses also indicate that most SUVH proteins of Arabidopsis may bind histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9). We also predict that SUVH7, SUVH8, SUVR1, SUVR3, ZmSET20 and ZmSET22 catalyse monomethylation or dimethylation of H3K9. Except for SDG728, which may trimethylate H3K9, all SUVH paralogs in rice may catalyse monomethylation or dimethylation. ZmSET11, ZmSET31, SDG713, SDG715, and SDG726 proteins are predicted to be catalytically inactive because of an incomplete S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) binding pocket and a post-SET domain. E(Z) homologs can trimethylate H3K27 substrate, which is similar to the Enhancer of Zeste homolog 2 of humans. Our comparative sequence analyses reveal that ATXR5 and ATXR6 lack motifs/domains required for protein-protein interaction and polycomb repressive complex 2 complex formation. We propose that subtle variations of key residues at substrate or SAM binding pocket, around the catalytic pocket, or presence of pre-SET and post-SET domains in HKMTs of the aforementioned plant species lead to variations in class-specific HKMT functions and further determine their substrate specificity, the degree of methylation and catalytic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mutyala Satish
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Sangareddy, Telangana, 502285, India
| | - M Angel Nivya
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Sangareddy, Telangana, 502285, India
| | - Suman Abhishek
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Sangareddy, Telangana, 502285, India
| | - Naveen Kumar Nakarakanti
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Sangareddy, Telangana, 502285, India
| | - Dixit Shivani
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Sangareddy, Telangana, 502285, India
| | - Madishetti Vinuthna Vani
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Sangareddy, Telangana, 502285, India
| | - Eerappa Rajakumara
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Sangareddy, Telangana, 502285, India
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18
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Freitag
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331
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19
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Chen LQ, Luo JH, Cui ZH, Xue M, Wang L, Zhang XY, Pawlowski WP, He Y. ATX3, ATX4, and ATX5 Encode Putative H3K4 Methyltransferases and Are Critical for Plant Development. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2017; 174:1795-1806. [PMID: 28550207 PMCID: PMC5490889 DOI: 10.1104/pp.16.01944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Methylation of Lys residues in the tail of the H3 histone is a key regulator of chromatin state and gene expression, conferred by a large family of enzymes containing an evolutionarily conserved SET domain. One of the main types of SET domain proteins are those controlling H3K4 di- and trimethylation. The genome of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) encodes 12 such proteins, including five ARABIDOPSIS TRITHORAX (ATX) proteins and seven ATX-Related proteins. Here, we examined three until-now-unexplored ATX proteins, ATX3, ATX4, and ATX5. We found that they exhibit similar domain structures and expression patterns and are redundantly required for vegetative and reproductive development. Concurrent disruption of the ATX3, ATX4, and ATX5 genes caused marked reduction in H3K4me2 and H3K4me3 levels genome-wide and resulted in thousands of genes expressed ectopically. Furthermore, atx3/atx4/atx5 triple mutants resulted in exaggerated phenotypes when combined with the atx2 mutant but not with atx1 Together, we conclude that ATX3, ATX4, and ATX5 are redundantly required for H3K4 di- and trimethylation at thousands of sites located across the genome, and genomic features associated with targeted regions are different from the ATXR3/SDG2-controlled sites in Arabidopsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Qun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Jin-Hong Luo
- National Maize Improvement Center of China, Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Zhen-Hai Cui
- National Maize Improvement Center of China, Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
- College of Biological Science and Technology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Ming Xue
- National Maize Improvement Center of China, Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Li Wang
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142
| | - Xiao-Yu Zhang
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | | | - Yan He
- National Maize Improvement Center of China, Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
- School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853
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20
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Lewis ZA. Polycomb Group Systems in Fungi: New Models for Understanding Polycomb Repressive Complex 2. Trends Genet 2017; 33:220-231. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2017.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Revised: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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21
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Mikulski P, Komarynets O, Fachinelli F, Weber AP, Schubert D. Characterization of the Polycomb-Group Mark H3K27me3 in Unicellular Algae. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2017; 8:607. [PMID: 28484477 PMCID: PMC5405695 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.00607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Polycomb Group (PcG) proteins mediate chromatin repression in plants and animals by catalyzing H3K27 methylation and H2AK118/119 mono-ubiquitination through the activity of the Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) and PRC1, respectively. PcG proteins were extensively studied in higher plants, but their function and target genes in unicellular branches of the green lineage remain largely unknown. To shed light on PcG function and modus operandi in a broad evolutionary context, we demonstrate phylogenetic relationship of core PRC1 and PRC2 proteins and H3K27me3 biochemical presence in several unicellular algae of different phylogenetic subclades. We focus then on one of the species, the model red alga Cyanidioschizon merolae, and show that H3K27me3 occupies both, genes and repetitive elements, and mediates the strength of repression depending on the differential occupancy over gene bodies. Furthermore, we report that H3K27me3 in C. merolae is enriched in telomeric and subtelomeric regions of the chromosomes and has unique preferential binding toward intein-containing genes involved in protein splicing. Thus, our study gives important insight for Polycomb-mediated repression in lower eukaryotes, uncovering a previously unknown link between H3K27me3 targets and protein splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawel Mikulski
- Institute of Biology, Free University of BerlinBerlin, Germany
- Institute of Genetics, Heinrich-Heine-Universität DüsseldorfDüsseldorf, Germany
| | - Olga Komarynets
- Institute of Genetics, Heinrich-Heine-Universität DüsseldorfDüsseldorf, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of GenevaGeneva, Switzerland
| | - Fabio Fachinelli
- Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Heinrich-Heine-Universität DüsseldorfDüsseldorf, Germany
| | - Andreas P.M. Weber
- Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Heinrich-Heine-Universität DüsseldorfDüsseldorf, Germany
| | - Daniel Schubert
- Institute of Biology, Free University of BerlinBerlin, Germany
- Institute of Genetics, Heinrich-Heine-Universität DüsseldorfDüsseldorf, Germany
- *Correspondence: Daniel Schubert,
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22
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Calpena E, Palau F, Espinós C, Galindo MI. Evolutionary History of the Smyd Gene Family in Metazoans: A Framework to Identify the Orthologs of Human Smyd Genes in Drosophila and Other Animal Species. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0134106. [PMID: 26230726 PMCID: PMC4521844 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0134106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The Smyd gene family code for proteins containing a conserved core consisting of a SET domain interrupted by a MYND zinc finger. Smyd proteins are important in epigenetic control of development and carcinogenesis, through posttranslational modifications in histones and other proteins. Previous reports indicated that the Smyd family is quite variable in metazoans, so a rigorous phylogenetic reconstruction of this complex gene family is of central importance to understand its evolutionary history and functional diversification or conservation. We have performed a phylogenetic analysis of Smyd protein sequences, and our results show that the extant metazoan Smyd genes can be classified in three main classes, Smyd3 (which includes chordate-specific Smyd1 and Smyd2 genes), Smyd4 and Smyd5. In addition, there is an arthropod-specific class, SmydA. While the evolutionary history of the Smyd3 and Smyd5 classes is relatively simple, the Smyd4 class has suffered several events of gene loss, gene duplication and lineage-specific expansions in the animal phyla included in our analysis. A more specific study of the four Smyd4 genes in Drosophila melanogaster shows that they are not redundant, since their patterns of expression are different and knock-down of individual genes can have dramatic phenotypes despite the presence of the other family members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Calpena
- Program in Rare and Genetic Diseases, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe (CIPF), Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Valencia, Spain
| | - Francesc Palau
- Program in Rare and Genetic Diseases, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe (CIPF), Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Valencia, Spain
| | - Carmen Espinós
- Program in Rare and Genetic Diseases, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe (CIPF), Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Valencia, Spain
| | - Máximo Ibo Galindo
- Program in Rare and Genetic Diseases, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe (CIPF), Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Valencia, Spain
- * E-mail:
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Han T, Wan Y, Wang J, Zhao P, Yuan Y, Wang L, She Y, Broering R, Lu M, Ye L, Zhu Y. Set7 facilitates hepatitis C virus replication via enzymatic activity-dependent attenuation of the IFN-related pathway. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 194:2757-68. [PMID: 25681344 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1400583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease, usually resulting in persistent infection involving hepatic steatosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma via escape of the host's immune response. Set7 is a lysine-specific methyltransferase that is involved in gene regulation and virus replication. However, the mechanism underlying the immune evasion between HCV and Set7 is not well understood. In this study, we observed that the expression of Set7 in Huh7.5.1 cells was upregulated by HCV infection, and high levels of Set7 expression were also found in the sera, PBMCs, and liver tissue of HCV patients relative to healthy individuals. Further investigation showed that Set7 enhanced HCV replication in an enzymatic activity-dependent manner. Moreover, our data showed that Set7 decreased the expression of virus-induced IFN and IFN-related effectors, such as dsRNA-activated protein kinase and 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase. Further investigation suggested that Set7 suppressed the endogenous IFN expression by reducing the nuclear translocation of IFN regulatory factor 3/7 and the p65 subunit of NF-κB and reduced IFN-induced dsRNA-activated protein kinase and 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase via attenuation of the phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT2. Additionally, IFN receptors, including IFNAR1 and IFNAR2, which are located upstream of the JAK/STAT pathway, were reduced by Set7. Taken together, our results reveal that Set7 facilitates HCV replication through the attenuation of IFN signaling pathways and IFN-related effectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Han
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Yushun Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Jun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Peng Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Yue Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Li Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Yinglong She
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Ruth Broering
- Medical Faculty, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45127 Essen, Germany; and
| | - Mengji Lu
- Institute of Virology, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45127 Essen, Germany
| | - Linbai Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China;
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24
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Fromm M, Avramova Z. ATX1/AtCOMPASS and the H3K4me3 marks: how do they activate Arabidopsis genes? CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2014; 21:75-82. [PMID: 25047977 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2014.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2014] [Revised: 06/26/2014] [Accepted: 07/02/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Despite the proven correlation between gene transcriptional activity and the levels of tri-methyl marks on histone 3 lysine4 (H3K4me3) of their nucleosomes, whether H3K4me3 contributes to, or 'registers', activated transcription is still controversial. Other questions of broad relevance are whether histone-modifying proteins are involved in the recruitment of Pol II and the general transcription machinery and whether they have roles other than their enzyme activities. We address these questions as well as the roles of the ARABIDOPSIS HOMOLOG OF TRITHORAX1 (ATX1), of the COMPASS-related (AtCOMPASS) protein complex, and of their product, H3K4me3, at ATX1-dependent genes. We suggest that the ambiguity about the role of H3K4me3 as an activating mark is due to the unknown duality of the ATX1/AtCOMPASS to facilitate PIC assembly and to generate H3K4me3, which is essential for activating transcriptional elongation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Fromm
- Department of Agronomy and Plant Science Innovation, UNL, Lincoln, NE 68588-6008, USA
| | - Zoya Avramova
- School of Biological Science, UNL, Lincoln, NE 68588-6008, USA.
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Hajheidari M, Koncz C, Eick D. Emerging roles for RNA polymerase II CTD in Arabidopsis. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2013; 18:633-43. [PMID: 23910452 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2013.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2013] [Revised: 06/12/2013] [Accepted: 07/01/2013] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Post-translational modifications of the carboxy-terminal domain of the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII CTD) provide recognition marks to coordinate recruitment of numerous nuclear factors controlling transcription, cotranscriptional RNA processing, chromatin remodeling, and RNA export. Compared with the progress in yeast and mammals, deciphering the regulatory roles of position-specific combinatorial CTD modifications, the so-called CTD code, is still at an early stage in plants. In this review, we discuss some of the recent advances in understanding of the molecular mechanisms controlling the deposition and recognition of RNAPII CTD marks in plants during the transcriptional cycle and highlight some intriguing differences between regulatory components characterized in yeast, mammals, and plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Hajheidari
- Department of Plant Developmental Biology, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, D-50829 Cologne, Germany.
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26
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Keating ST, El-Osta A. Transcriptional regulation by the Set7 lysine methyltransferase. Epigenetics 2013; 8:361-72. [PMID: 23478572 DOI: 10.4161/epi.24234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Posttranslational histone modifications define chromatin structure and function. In recent years, a number of studies have characterized many of the enzymatic activities and diverse regulatory components required for monomethylation of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4me1) and the expression of specific genes. The challenge now is to understand how this specific chemical modification is written and the Set7 methyltransferase has emerged as a key regulatory enzyme mediating methylation of lysine residues of histone and non-histone proteins. In this review, we comprehensively explore the regulatory proteins modified by Set7 and highlight mechanisms of specific co-recruitment of the enzyme to activating promoters. With a focus on signaling and transcriptional control in disease we discuss recent experimental data emphasizing specific components of diverse regulatory complexes that mediate chromatin modification and reinterpretation of Set7-mediated gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel T Keating
- Epigenetics in Human Health and Disease Laboratory; Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute; The Alfred Medical Research and Education Precinct; Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Assam El-Osta
- Epigenetics in Human Health and Disease Laboratory; Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute; The Alfred Medical Research and Education Precinct; Melbourne, VIC Australia; Epigenomics Profiling Facility; Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute; The Alfred Medical Research and Education Precinct; Melbourne, VIC Australia; Department of Pathology; The University of Melbourne; Melbourne, VIC Australia; Faculty of Medicine; Monash University; Melbourne, VIC Australia
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27
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Ding Y, Ndamukong I, Xu Z, Lapko H, Fromm M, Avramova Z. ATX1-generated H3K4me3 is required for efficient elongation of transcription, not initiation, at ATX1-regulated genes. PLoS Genet 2012; 8:e1003111. [PMID: 23284292 PMCID: PMC3527332 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2012] [Accepted: 10/08/2012] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Tri-methylated H3 lysine 4 (H3K4me3) is associated with transcriptionally active genes, but its function in the transcription process is still unclear. Point mutations in the catalytic domain of ATX1 (ARABIDOPSIS TRITHORAX1), a H3K4 methyltransferase, and RNAi knockdowns of subunits of the AtCOMPASS–like (Arabidopsis Complex Proteins Associated with Set) were used to address this question. We demonstrate that both ATX1 and AtCOMPASS–like are required for high level accumulation of TBP (TATA-binding protein) and Pol II at promoters and that this requirement is independent of the catalytic histone modifying activity. However, the catalytic function is critically required for transcription as H3K4me3 levels determine the efficiency of transcription elongation. The roles of H3K4me3, ATX1, and AtCOMPASS–like may be of a general relevance for transcription of Trithorax-activated eukaryotic genes. We provide a definitive answer to the question regarding the role of histone H3 lysine 4 tri-methylation marks in the transcription of two ATX1-regulated genes. Despite the proven correlation between the gene transcriptional activity and the level of H3K4me3 modification on the nucleosomes, whether H3K4me3 contributes to, or simply “registers,” active transcription has remained unclear. Another broader-relevance question is whether histone-modifying proteins are required for recruitment of the general transcription machinery, thus playing roles beyond their catalytic activity. Using a combination of gene deletion and specific point mutation analyses, we untangle overlapping effects and reveal that H3K4me3 is not required for TBP/Pol II recruitment to promoters but is critical as an activating mark for transcription elongation. The existing hitherto ambiguity about the role of H3K4me3 as an activating mark has been largely due to the unknown duality of the ATX1/AtCOMPASS functions: facilitating PIC assembly and producing H3K4me3 as an activating mark for transcription elongation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Ding
- School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Ivan Ndamukong
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Zaoshi Xu
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Hanna Lapko
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Michael Fromm
- University of Nebraska Center for Biotechnology, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
- Center for Plant Science Innovation, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MF); (ZA)
| | - Zoya Avramova
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MF); (ZA)
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Zhang L, Ma H. Complex evolutionary history and diverse domain organization of SET proteins suggest divergent regulatory interactions. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2012; 195:248-63. [PMID: 22510098 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2012.04143.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
• Plants and animals possess very different developmental processes, yet share conserved epigenetic regulatory mechanisms, such as histone modifications. One of the most important forms of histone modification is methylation on lysine residues of the tails, carried out by members of the SET protein family, which are widespread in eukaryotes. • We analyzed molecular evolution by comparative genomics and phylogenetics of the SET genes from plant and animal genomes, grouping SET genes into several subfamilies and uncovering numerous gene duplications, particularly in the Suv, Ash, Trx and E(z) subfamilies. • Domain organizations differ between different subfamilies and between plant and animal SET proteins in some subfamilies, and support the grouping of SET genes into seven main subfamilies, suggesting that SET proteins have acquired distinctive regulatory interactions during evolution. We detected evidence for independent evolution of domain organization in different lineages, including recruitment of new domains following some duplications. • More recent duplications in both vertebrates and land plants are probably the result of whole-genome or segmental duplications. The evolution of the SET gene family shows that gene duplications caused by segmental duplications and other mechanisms have probably contributed to the complexity of epigenetic regulation, providing insights into the evolution of the regulation of chromatin structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangsheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Plant Biology, Center for Evolutionary Biology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Alvarez-Venegas R, Avramova Z. Evolution of the PWWP-domain encoding genes in the plant and animal lineages. BMC Evol Biol 2012; 12:101. [PMID: 22734652 PMCID: PMC3457860 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2148-12-101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2011] [Accepted: 06/06/2012] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Conserved domains are recognized as the building blocks of eukaryotic proteins. Domains showing a tendency to occur in diverse combinations ('promiscuous' domains) are involved in versatile architectures in proteins with different functions. Current models, based on global-level analyses of domain combinations in multiple genomes, have suggested that the propensity of some domains to associate with other domains in high-level architectures increases with organismal complexity. Alternative models using domain-based phylogenetic trees propose that domains have become promiscuous independently in different lineages through convergent evolution and are, thus, random with no functional or structural preferences. Here we test whether complex protein architectures have occurred by accretion from simpler systems and whether the appearance of multidomain combinations parallels organismal complexity. As a model, we analyze the modular evolution of the PWWP domain and ask whether its appearance in combinations with other domains into multidomain architectures is linked with the occurrence of more complex life-forms. Whether high-level combinations of domains are conserved and transmitted as stable units (cassettes) through evolution is examined in the genomes of plant or metazoan species selected for their established position in the evolution of the respective lineages. RESULTS Using the domain-tree approach, we analyze the evolutionary origins and distribution patterns of the promiscuous PWWP domain to understand the principles of its modular evolution and its existence in combination with other domains in higher-level protein architectures. We found that as a single module the PWWP domain occurs only in proteins with a limited, mainly, species-specific distribution. Earlier, it was suggested that domain promiscuity is a fast-changing (volatile) feature shaped by natural selection and that only a few domains retain their promiscuity status throughout evolution. In contrast, our data show that most of the multidomain PWWP combinations in extant multicellular organisms (humans or land plants) are present in their unicellular ancestral relatives suggesting they have been transmitted through evolution as conserved linear arrangements ('cassettes'). Among the most interesting biologically relevant results is the finding that the genes of the two plant Trithorax family subgroups (ATX1/2 and ATX3/4/5) have different phylogenetic origins. The two subgroups occur together in the earliest land plants Physcomitrella patens and Selaginella moellendorffii. CONCLUSION Gain/loss of a single PWWP domain is observed throughout evolution reflecting dynamic lineage- or species-specific events. In contrast, higher-level protein architectures involving the PWWP domain have survived as stable arrangements driven by evolutionary descent. The association of PWWP domains with the DNA methyltransferases in O. tauri and in the metazoan lineage seems to have occurred independently consistent with convergent evolution. Our results do not support models wherein more complex protein architectures involving the PWWP domain occur with the appearance of more evolutionarily advanced life forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl Alvarez-Venegas
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados, Unidad Irapuato, Irapuato Gto., 36821, Mexico
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Baluska F, Mancuso S. Deep evolutionary origins of neurobiology: Turning the essence of 'neural' upside-down. Commun Integr Biol 2011; 2:60-5. [PMID: 19513267 DOI: 10.4161/cib.2.1.7620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2008] [Accepted: 12/15/2008] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
It is generally assumed, both in common-sense argumentations and scientific concepts, that brains and neurons represent late evolutionary achievements which are present only in more advanced animals. Here we overview recently published data clearly revealing that our understanding of bacteria, unicellular eukaryotic organisms, plants, brains and neurons, rooted in the Aristotelian philosophy is flawed. Neural aspects of biological systems are obvious already in bacteria and unicellular biological units such as sexual gametes and diverse unicellular eukaryotic organisms. Altogether, processes and activities thought to represent evolutionary 'recent' specializations of the nervous system emerge rather to represent ancient and fundamental cell survival processes.
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31
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Butenko Y, Ohad N. Polycomb-group mediated epigenetic mechanisms through plant evolution. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2011; 1809:395-406. [PMID: 21664995 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2011.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2011] [Revised: 05/23/2011] [Accepted: 05/26/2011] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Polycomb Group (PcG) proteins form an epigenetic "memory system", conserved in both plants and animals, controlling global gene expression during development via histone modifications. The role of PcG proteins in plants was primarily explored in Arabidopsis thaliana, where PcG regulation of developmental processes was demonstrated throughout the plant life cycle. Our knowledge about the PcG machinery in terrestrial plants other than Arabidopsis began to accumulate only in recent years. In this review we summarize recent emerging data on the evolution and diversification of PcG mechanisms in various phyla, from early-diverging plants, including members of the Chlorophyte algae, through bryophytes and flowering plants. We describe the compositions of the PcG gene families, their so-far studied expression profiles, and finally summarize commonalities vs. differences among PcG functions across the various species. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Epigenetic control of cellular and developmental processes in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yana Butenko
- Department of Molecular Biology and Ecology of Plants, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
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32
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Ndamukong I, Lapko H, Cerny RL, Avramova Z. A cytoplasm-specific activity encoded by the Trithorax-like ATX1 gene. Nucleic Acids Res 2011; 39:4709-18. [PMID: 21245040 PMCID: PMC3113559 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkq1300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotes produce multiple products from a single gene locus by alternative splicing, translation or promoter usage as mechanisms expanding the complexity of their proteome. Trithorax proteins, including the Arabidopsis Trithorax-like protein ATX1, are histone modifiers regulating gene activity. Here, we report that a novel member of the Trithorax family has a role unrelated to chromatin. It is encoded from an internal promoter in the ATX1 locus as an isoform containing only the SET domain (soloSET). It is located exclusively in the cytoplasm and its substrate is the elongation factor 1A (EF1A). Loss of SET, but not of the histone modifying ATX1-SET activity, affects cytoskeletal actin bundling illustrating that the two isoforms have distinct functions in Arabidopsis cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Ndamukong
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
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33
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Ding Y, Avramova Z, Fromm M. Two distinct roles of ARABIDOPSIS HOMOLOG OF TRITHORAX1 (ATX1) at promoters and within transcribed regions of ATX1-regulated genes. THE PLANT CELL 2011; 23:350-63. [PMID: 21266657 PMCID: PMC3051232 DOI: 10.1105/tpc.110.080150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2010] [Revised: 12/15/2010] [Accepted: 12/22/2010] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The Arabidopsis thaliana trithorax-like protein, ATX1, shares common structural domains, has similar histone methyltransferase (HMT) activity, and belongs in the same phylogenetic subgroup as its animal counterparts. Most of our knowledge of the role of HMTs in trimethylating lysine 4 of histone H3 (H3K4me3) in transcriptional regulation comes from studies of yeast and mammalian homologs. Little is known about the mechanism by which ATX1, or any other HMT of plant origin, affects transcription. Here, we provide insights into how ATX1 influences transcription at regulated genes, playing two distinct roles. At promoters, ATX1 is required for TATA binding protein (TBP) and RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) recruitment. In a subsequent event, ATX1 is recruited by a phosphorylated form of Pol II to the +300-bp region of transcribed sequences, where it trimethylates nucleosomes. In support of this model, inhibition of phosphorylation of the C-terminal domain of Pol II reduced the amounts of H3K4me3 and ATX1 bound at the +300-nucleotide region. Importantly, these changes did not reduce the occupancy of ATX1, TBP, or Pol II at promoters. Our results indicate that ATX1 affects transcription at target genes by a mechanism distinct from its ability to trimethylate H3K4 within genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Ding
- University of Nebraska Center for Biotechnology and Center for Plant Science Innovation, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588
- University of Nebraska School of Biological Sciences, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588
| | - Zoya Avramova
- University of Nebraska School of Biological Sciences, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588
| | - Michael Fromm
- University of Nebraska Center for Biotechnology and Center for Plant Science Innovation, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588
- Address correspondence to
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Alvarez-Venegas R. Regulation by polycomb and trithorax group proteins in Arabidopsis. THE ARABIDOPSIS BOOK 2010; 8:e0128. [PMID: 22303254 PMCID: PMC3244960 DOI: 10.1199/tab.0128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Polycomb group (PcG) and trithorax group (trxG) proteins are key regulators of homeotic genes and have crucial roles in cell proliferation, growth and development. PcG and trxG proteins form higher order protein complexes that contain SET domain proteins, with a histone methyltransferase (HMTase) activity, responsible for the different types of lysine methylation at the N-terminal tails of the core histone proteins. In recent years, genetic studies along with biochemical and cell biological analyses in Arabidopsis have enabled researchers to begin to understand how PcG and trxG proteins are recruited to chromatin and how they regulate their target genes and to elucidate their functions. This review focuses on the advances in our understanding of the biological roles of PcG and trxG proteins, their molecular mechanisms of action and further examines the role of histone marks in PcG and trxG regulation in Arabidopsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl Alvarez-Venegas
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Center for Research and Advanced Studies, CINVESTAV-IPN Unidad lrapuato, C.P. 36821 lrapuato, Guanajuato, México
- Address correspondence to
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Baluska F, Mancuso S. Plant neurobiology: from sensory biology, via plant communication, to social plant behavior. Cogn Process 2008; 10 Suppl 1:S3-7. [PMID: 18998182 DOI: 10.1007/s10339-008-0239-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2008] [Revised: 10/06/2008] [Accepted: 10/16/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
In plants, numerous parameters of both biotic and abiotic environments are continuously monitored. Specialized cells are evolutionary-optimized for effective translation of sensory input into developmental and motoric output. Importantly, diverse physical forces, influences, and insults induce immediate electric responses in plants. Recent advances in plant cell biology, molecular biology, and sensory ecology will be discussed in the framework of recently initiated new discipline of plant sciences, namely plant neurobiology.
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