LINT, a novel dL(3)mbt-containing complex, represses malignant brain tumour signature genes

PLoS Genet. 2012;8(5):e1002676. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1002676. Epub 2012 May 3.

Abstract

Mutations in the l(3)mbt tumour suppressor result in overproliferation of Drosophila larval brains. Recently, the derepression of different gene classes in l(3)mbt mutants was shown to be causal for transformation. However, the molecular mechanisms of dL(3)mbt-mediated gene repression are not understood. Here, we identify LINT, the major dL(3)mbt complex of Drosophila. LINT has three core subunits-dL(3)mbt, dCoREST, and dLint-1-and is expressed in cell lines, embryos, and larval brain. Using genome-wide ChIP-Seq analysis, we show that dLint-1 binds close to the TSS of tumour-relevant target genes. Depletion of the LINT core subunits results in derepression of these genes. By contrast, histone deacetylase, histone methylase, and histone demethylase activities are not required to maintain repression. Our results support a direct role of LINT in the repression of brain tumour-relevant target genes by restricting promoter access.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Binding Sites
  • Brain Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Cell Line
  • Drosophila Proteins* / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins* / metabolism
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Genome, Insect
  • Germ Cells / metabolism
  • Histones / genetics
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Larva / genetics
  • Larva / metabolism
  • Multiprotein Complexes* / genetics
  • Multiprotein Complexes* / metabolism
  • Mutation
  • Polytene Chromosomes / genetics
  • RNA Interference
  • Repressor Proteins* / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins* / metabolism

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Histones
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Repressor Proteins