Double DAP-seq uncovered synergistic DNA binding of interacting bZIP transcription factors

Many eukaryotic transcription factors (TF) form homodimer or heterodimer complexes to regulate gene expression. Dimerization of BASIC LEUCINE ZIPPER (bZIP) TFs are critical for their functions, but the molecular mechanism underlying the DNA binding and functional specificity of homo- versus heterodimers remains elusive. To address this gap, we present the double DNA Affinity Purification-sequencing (dDAP-seq) technique that maps heterodimer binding sites on endogenous genomic DNA. Using dDAP-seq we profile twenty pairs of C/S1 bZIP heterodimers and S1 homodimers in Arabidopsis and show that heterodimerization significantly expands the DNA binding preferences of these TFs. Analysis of dDAP-seq binding sites reveals the function of bZIP9 in abscisic acid response and the role of bZIP53 heterodimer-specific binding in seed maturation. The C/S1 heterodimers show distinct preferences for the ACGT elements recognized by plant bZIPs and motifs resembling the yeast GCN4 cis-elements. This study demonstrates the potential of dDAP-seq in deciphering the DNA binding specificities of interacting TFs that are key for combinatorial gene regulation.

DamID-seq: A Genome-Wide DNA Methylation Method that Captures Both Transient and Stable TF-DNA Interactions in Plant Cells

Capturing the dynamic and transient interactions of a transcription factor (TF) with its genome-wide targets whose regulation leads to plants' adaptation to their changing environment is a major technical challenge. This is a widespread problem with biochemical methods such as chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq) which are biased towards capturing stable TF-target gene interactions. Herein, we describe how DNA adenine methyltransferase identification and sequencing (DamID-seq) can be used to capture both transient and stable TF-target interactions by DNA methylation. The DamID technique uses a TF protein fused to a DNA adenine methyltransferase (Dam) from E. coli. When expressed in a plant cell, the Dam-TF fusion protein will methylate adenine (A) bases near the sites of TF-DNA interactions. In this way, DamID results in a permanent, stable DNA methylation mark on TF-target gene promoters, even if the target gene is only transiently "touched" by the Dam-TF fusion protein. Here we provide a step-by-step protocol to perform DamID-seq experiments in isolated plant cells for any Dam-TF fusion protein of interest. We also provide information that will enable researchers to analyze DamID-seq data to identify TF-binding sites in the genome. Our protocol includes instructions for vector cloning of the Dam-TF fusion proteins, plant cell protoplast transfections, DamID preps, library preparation, and sequencing data analysis. The protocol outlined in this chapter is performed in Arabidopsis thaliana, however, the DamID-seq workflow developed in this guide is broadly applicable to other plants and organisms.

Gene expression changes occurring at bolting time are associated with leaf senescence in Arabidopsis

In plants, the vegetative to reproductive phase transition (termed bolting in Arabidopsis) generally precedes age-dependent leaf senescence (LS). Many studies describe a temporal link between bolting time and LS, as plants that bolt early, senesce early, and plants that bolt late, senesce late. The molecular mechanisms underlying this relationship are unknown and are potentially agriculturally important, as they may allow for the development of crops that can overcome early LS caused by stress-related early-phase transition. We hypothesized that leaf gene expression changes occurring in synchrony with bolting were regulating LS. ARABIDOPSIS TRITHORAX (ATX) enzymes are general methyltransferases that regulate the adult vegetative to reproductive phase transition. We generated an atx1, atx3, and atx4 (atx1,3,4) triple T-DNA insertion mutant that displays both early bolting and early LS. This mutant was used in an RNA-seq time-series experiment to identify gene expression changes in rosette leaves that are likely associated with bolting. By comparing the early bolting mutant to vegetative WT plants of the same age, we were able to generate a list of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that change expression with bolting as the plants age. We trimmed the list by intersection with publicly available WT datasets, which removed genes from our DEG list that were atx1,3,4 specific. The resulting 398 bolting-associated genes (BAGs) are differentially expressed in a mature rosette leaf at bolting. The BAG list contains many well-characterized LS regulators (ORE1, WRKY45, NAP, WRKY28), and GO analysis revealed enrichment for LS and LS-related processes. These bolting-associated LS regulators may contribute to the temporal coupling of bolting time to LS.

The HAC1 histone acetyltransferase promotes leaf senescence and regulates the expression of ERF022

Nutrient remobilization during leaf senescence nourishes the growing plant. Understanding the regulation of this process is essential for reducing our dependence on nitrogen fertilizers and increasing agricultural sustainability. Our laboratory is interested in chromatin changes that accompany the transition to leaf senescence. Previously, darker green leaves were reported for Arabidopsis thaliana hac1 mutants, defective in a gene encoding a histone acetyltransferase in the CREB-binding protein family. Here, we show that two Arabidopsis hac1 alleles display delayed age-related developmental senescence, but have normal dark-induced senescence. Using a combination of ChIP-seq for H3K9ac and RNA-seq for gene expression, we identified 43 potential HAC1 targets during age-related developmental senescence. Genetic analysis demonstrated that one of these potential targets, ERF022, is a positive regulator of leaf senescence. ERF022 is regulated additively by HAC1 and MED25, suggesting MED25 may recruit HAC1 to the ERF022 promoter to increase its expression in older leaves.