Project description:Histone H3 Lys 4 methylation (H3K4me) is deposited by the conserved SET1/MLL methyltransferases acting in multiprotein complexes including Ash2 and Wdr5. While individual subunits contribute to complex activity, how they influence gene expression in a specific tissue remains largely unknown. In caenorhabditis elegans, SET-2/SET1, WDR-5.1 and ASH-2 are differentially required for germline H3K4 methylation. Using expression profiling on germlines from animals lacking set-2, ash-2 or wdr-5.1, we show that these subunits play unique and redundant functions to promote expression of germline genes and repress somatic genes. We further show that in set-2 and wdr-5.1 deficient germlines, somatic gene misexpression is associated with conversion of germ cells into somatic cells, and that nuclear RNAi acts in parallel with SET-2 and WDR-5.1 to maintain germline identity. These findings uncover a unique role for SET-2 and WDR-5.1 in preserving germline pluripotency, and underline the complexity of the cellular network regulating this process. Gene misregulation in SET1/set-2, wdr-5.1 and ash-2 defective germlines
Project description:Histone H3 Lys 4 methylation (H3K4me) is deposited by the conserved SET1/MLL methyltransferases acting in multiprotein complexes including Ash2 and Wdr5. While individual subunits contribute to complex activity, how they influence gene expression in a specific tissue remains largely unknown. In caenorhabditis elegans, SET-2/SET1, WDR-5.1 and ASH-2 are differentially required for germline H3K4 methylation. Using expression profiling on germlines from animals lacking set-2, ash-2 or wdr-5.1, we show that these subunits play unique and redundant functions to promote expression of germline genes and repress somatic genes. We further show that in set-2 and wdr-5.1 deficient germlines, somatic gene misexpression is associated with conversion of germ cells into somatic cells, and that nuclear RNAi acts in parallel with SET-2 and WDR-5.1 to maintain germline identity. These findings uncover a unique role for SET-2 and WDR-5.1 in preserving germline pluripotency, and underline the complexity of the cellular network regulating this process.
Project description:Deposition of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methylation at promoter regions by the SET1/COMPASS complex is associated with context-dependent effects on gene expression. Transcription-independent functions have also been attributed to this highly conserved complex, but whether these contribute to higher-order chromosome organization has not been explored. Using a quantitative FRET (Förster resonance energy transfer)-based fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) approach to assay nanometer scale chromatin compaction in live animals, we reveal an unexpected role for SET1/COMPASS in structuring meiotic chromosomes in the germline of C. elegans. Inactivation of SET-2, the C. elegans homologue of the catalytic subunit SET1, strongly enhanced chromosome organization defects and loss of fertility resulting from partial depletion of condensin-II. Loss of CFP-1, the chromatin targeting subunit of COMPASS, similarly affected germline chromatin compaction measured by FLIM-FRET and enhanced condensin-II knock-down phenotypes. Defects in chromosome morphology following conditional inactivation of topoisomerase II, another structural component of chromosomes, were also aggravated in the absence of set-2. Our results are consistent with a role of SET1/COMPASS in shaping meiotic chromosomes in the C. elegans germline, and have important implications for how chromatin-modifying complexes and histone modifications may cooperate with non histone-proteins to achieve proper chromosome organization, not only in meiosis, but also in mitosis.
Project description:The plasticity of ageing suggests that longevity may be controlled epigenetically by specific alterations in chromatin state. The link between chromatin and ageing has mostly focused on histone deacetylation by the Sir2 family1, 2, but less is known about the role of other histone modifications in longevity. Histone methylation has a crucial role in development and in maintaining stem cell pluripotency in mammals3. Regulators of histone methylation have been associated with ageing in worms4, 5, 6, 7 and flies8, but characterization of their role and mechanism of action has been limited. Here we identify the ASH-2 trithorax complex9, which trimethylates histone H3 at lysine 4 (H3K4), as a regulator of lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans in a directed RNA interference (RNAi) screen in fertile worms. Deficiencies in members of the ASH-2 complex—ASH-2 itself, WDR-5 and the H3K4 methyltransferase SET-2—extend worm lifespan. Conversely, the H3K4 demethylase RBR-2 is required for normal lifespan, consistent with the idea that an excess of H3K4 trimethylation—a mark associated with active chromatin—is detrimental for longevity. Lifespan extension induced by ASH-2 complex deficiency requires the presence of an intact adult germline and the continuous production of mature eggs. ASH-2 and RBR-2 act in the germline, at least in part, to regulate lifespan and to control a set of genes involved in lifespan determination. These results indicate that the longevity of the soma is regulated by an H3K4 methyltransferase/demethylase complex acting in the C. elegans germline. There are 23 samples in total. ASH-2 knock-down increases lifespan in a germline dependent manner. We examined ASH-2 regulated genes that are dependent on the presence of an intact germline using WT or glp-1(e2141ts) mutant worms which develop only 5-15 meiotic germ cells treated with either empty vector (EV) or ash-2 RNAi. We examined gene expression at the L3 stage (when we observe changes in H3K4me3) and at a mid life stage (day 8). The majority of ASH-2 controlled genes were regulated in a germline dependent manner. Samples were collected in triplicate for each condition (but Day 8 N2 (WT) E.V. #3 was excluded from all analysis due to quality issues).
Project description:The plasticity of ageing suggests that longevity may be controlled epigenetically by specific alterations in chromatin state. The link between chromatin and ageing has mostly focused on histone deacetylation by the Sir2 family1, 2, but less is known about the role of other histone modifications in longevity. Histone methylation has a crucial role in development and in maintaining stem cell pluripotency in mammals3. Regulators of histone methylation have been associated with ageing in worms4, 5, 6, 7 and flies8, but characterization of their role and mechanism of action has been limited. Here we identify the ASH-2 trithorax complex9, which trimethylates histone H3 at lysine 4 (H3K4), as a regulator of lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans in a directed RNA interference (RNAi) screen in fertile worms. Deficiencies in members of the ASH-2 complex—ASH-2 itself, WDR-5 and the H3K4 methyltransferase SET-2—extend worm lifespan. Conversely, the H3K4 demethylase RBR-2 is required for normal lifespan, consistent with the idea that an excess of H3K4 trimethylation—a mark associated with active chromatin—is detrimental for longevity. Lifespan extension induced by ASH-2 complex deficiency requires the presence of an intact adult germline and the continuous production of mature eggs. ASH-2 and RBR-2 act in the germline, at least in part, to regulate lifespan and to control a set of genes involved in lifespan determination. These results indicate that the longevity of the soma is regulated by an H3K4 methyltransferase/demethylase complex acting in the C. elegans germline.
Project description:Maintenance of stem-cell identity requires proper regulation of enhancer activity. Both transcription factors OCT4/SOX2/NANOG and histone methyltransferase complexes MLL/SET1 were shown to regulate enhancer activity, but how they are regulated in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) remains further studies. Here, we report a transcription factor BACH1, who which directly interacts with OCT4/SOX2/NANOG (OSN) and MLL/SET1 methyltransferase complexes and maintains pluripotency in mouse ESCs (mESCs). BTB domain and bZIP domain of BACH1 are required for these interactions and pluripotency maintenance. Loss of BACH1 reduced the interaction between NANOG and MLL1/SET1 complexes, and decreased their occupancy on chromatin, and further decreased H3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) level on gene promoters and (super-) enhancers, leading to decreased enhancer activity and transcription activity, especially on stemness-related genes. Moreover, BACH1 recruited NANOG through chromatin looping and regulated remote NANOG binding, fine-tuning enhancer-promoter activity and gene expression. Collectively, these observations suggest that BACH1 maintains pluripotency in ESCs by recruiting NANOG and MLL/SET1 complexes to chromatin and maintaining the trimethylated state of H3K4 and enhancer-promoter activity, especially on stemness-related genes.
Project description:Histone H3K4 methylation is connected to gene transcription from yeast to humans, but its mechanistic role in transcription and chromatin dynamics remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated the functions for Set1 and Jhd2, the sole H3K4 methyltransferase and H3K4 demethylase, respectively, in S. cerevisiae. Our data show that Set1 and Jhd2 predominantly co-regulate transcription. To further understand the role for H3K4 methylation, we overexpressed Flag epitope-tagged SET1-G990E (a dominant hyperactive allele of SET1) in yeast using the constitutive ADH1 promoter (ADH1p). As a control, we also overexpressed Flag epitope-tagged wild type SET1 in yeast. Analysis of gene expression in set1-null, jhd2-null and wild type SET1 or hypeactive SET1-G990E overexpressing mutants together revealed that the transcriptional regulation at a sub-set of genes, inclduing those governing glycogen metabolism and ribosome biogenesis, is highly sensitive to any change (i.e., loss or gain) in H3K4 methylation levels. Overall, we find combined activities of Set1 and Jhd2 via dynamic modulation of H3K4 methylation contribute to positive or negative transcriptional regulation at shared target genes. Gene expression changes were generated from five different yeast strains representing wild type control, set1 null and jhd2 null mutants, and wild type SET1 or dominant hyperacive SET1-G990E overexpressing mutants. Three independent biological samples were grown for each strain, total RNA was isolated, libraries were prepared, sequenced, and analyzed separately.
Project description:Histone H3K4 methylation is connected to gene transcription from yeast to humans, but its mechanistic role in transcription and chromatin dynamics remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated the functions for Set1 and Jhd2, the sole H3K4 methyltransferase and H3K4 demethylase, respectively, in S. cerevisiae. Our data show that Set1 and Jhd2 predominantly co-regulate transcription. To further understand the role for H3K4 methylation, we overexpressed Flag epitope-tagged SET1-G990E (a dominant hyperactive allele of SET1) in yeast using the constitutive ADH1 promoter (ADH1p). As a control, we also overexpressed Flag epitope-tagged wild type SET1 in yeast. Analysis of gene expression in set1-null, jhd2-null and wild type SET1 or hypeactive SET1-G990E overexpressing mutants together revealed that the transcriptional regulation at a sub-set of genes, inclduing those governing glycogen metabolism and ribosome biogenesis, is highly sensitive to any change (i.e., loss or gain) in H3K4 methylation levels. Overall, we find combined activities of Set1 and Jhd2 via dynamic modulation of H3K4 methylation contribute to positive or negative transcriptional regulation at shared target genes.
Project description:Nuclear RNAi in C. elegans induces a set of transgenerationally heritable marks of H3K9me3, H3K23me3, and H3K27me3 at the target genes. The function of H3K23me3 in the nuclear RNAi pathway is largely unknown due to the limited knowledge of H3K23 histone methyltransferase (HMT). In this study we identified SET-21 as a novel H3K23 HMT. By taking combined genetic, biochemical, and genomic approaches we found that SET-21 functions synergistically with a previously reported H3K23 HMT SET-32 to deposit H3K23me3 at the native targets of germline nuclear RNAi. We identified a subset of nuclear RNAi targets that became transcriptionally activated in the set-21;set-32 double mutant. SET-21 and SET-32 are also required for a robust transgenerational gene silencing induced by exogenous dsRNA. The set-21;set-32 double mutant exhibited an enhanced mortal germline phenotype at a high temperature compared to the set-32 single mutant. Together, these results support a model in which H3K23 HMTs SET-21 and SET-32 function cooperatively to ensure the robustness of germline nuclear RNAi and promotes the germline immortality under the heat stress.