A structural role for histone methyltransferase MET-2 represses transcription independent of H3K9me catalysis [ChIP-seq]
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ABSTRACT: Packaging genomic regions into silenced heterochromatin is critical to maintain organismal viability and tissue identity. Methylation of histone H3 on lysine 9 (H3K9me) marks heterochromatin. Here we show that in addition to catalyzing H3K9me, the C. elegans histone methyltransferase MET-2 (SETDB1-like) has a second non-catalytic function that can itself contribute to gene repression. We find that subnuclear concentrates, or foci, of MET-2 correlate with efficient HMT activity, yet foci composed of catalytic-deficient MET-2 are also able to mediate transcriptional silencing. Genetic ablation of met-2 or physiological disruption of MET-2 foci by heat stress results in loss of silencing coincident with an increase in histone acetylation. Restoration of catalytically deficient MET-2 foci mitigates H3K9 and H3K27 hyperacetylation, gene derepression, and infertility, demonstrating a structural role for foci of a conserved heterochromatic histone methyltransferase in gene silencing independent of its enzymatic activity.
ORGANISM(S): Caenorhabditis elegans
PROVIDER: GSE168923 | GEO | 2021/08/01
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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