Project description:The embryo-larval and adult parts of the zebrafish major alpha/beta-globin gene locus are functionally and structurally independent
Project description:In genomes of modern fish and amphibia α- and β- globin genes are grouped at a single locus that may resemble the ancestral one and is syntenic to α-globin locus of modern warm-blooded vertebrates. In Danio rerio, the major locus of α/β globin genes comprises two subclusters, one of them harboring genes expressed in adult and the other – genes expressed in embryonic and larval erythrocytes. The results of our previous study suggested that the adult subcluster of this locus has evolved into α-globin gene domain of vertebrate animals. Here we studied how adult and embryo-larval genes of Danio rerio major globin gene locus are repressed in fibroblasts. The results obtained suggest that that at least some of the globin genes present within the adult subcluster are repressed by Polycomb similarly to human α-globin genes. Furthermore, within two α/β gene pairs repression of α-type and β-type genes appears to be mediated by different mechanisms as increasing the level of histone acetylation can activate transcription of only β-type genes.
Project description:To get insights into domain organization and functioning of the Danio rerio major α/β-globin locus (Mα/βGL), we have characterized profiles of histone H3 panacetylation across this locus in erythrocytes of adult fish and 18 dpf larvas. To identify enriched domains in our ChipSeq data we used our original protocol and peak caller MACS2. Histone acetylation profiles of Mα/βGL for adult and embryo cells reveal a breaking point in upstream region of the first embryo-larval gene βe1.There are two sub-segments of acetylation: sub-segment to the left of βe1 harbors adult-specific globin genes and is acetylated only in adult cells. Embryo sub-segment contains embryo-larval globin genes and is located to the right of βe1 gene. Acetylation in this subsegment was detected only in 18 dpf larva. Acetylation profile in adult subs-egment possess largest acetylation domain which covers two pairs of adult-stage globins: αa1, and βa1. High acetylation level in this domain well correlates with high expression level observed for these 4 genes in adult erythrocyte. Pattern of H3 panacetylation in 18 dpf larval erythrocytes differs strikingly from that for adult cells. Embryo-larval segment is fragmented in small domains co-located with gene bodies with gaps in intergenic regions. Adult subsegment in adult cells contains strong acetylation domain that cover 4 globin genes along with a part of intergenic regions and few smaller domains. Alternative stage-specific acetylation of subdomains and different pattern of embryonic-larval and adult domain acetylation strongly support the hypothesis of deep structural and functional segregation of stage-specific subdomains within Mα/βGL locus in zebrafish.