RNAi components are required for nuclear clustering of Polycomb group response elements

Cell. 2006 Mar 10;124(5):957-71. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2006.01.036.

Abstract

Drosophila Polycomb group (PcG) proteins silence homeotic genes through binding to Polycomb group response elements (PREs). Fab-7 is a PRE-containing regulatory element from the homeotic gene Abdominal-B. When present in multiple copies in the genome, Fab-7 can induce long-distance gene contacts that enhance PcG-dependent silencing. We show here that components of the RNA interference (RNAi) machinery are involved in PcG-mediated silencing at Fab-7 and in the production of small RNAs at transgenic Fab-7 copies. In general, these mutations do not affect the recruitment of PcG components, but they are specifically required for the maintenance of long-range contacts between Fab-7 copies. Dicer-2, PIWI, and Argonaute1, three RNAi components, frequently colocalize with PcG bodies, and their mutation significantly reduces the frequency of PcG-dependent chromosomal associations of endogenous homeotic genes. This suggests a novel role for the RNAi machinery in regulating the nuclear organization of PcG chromatin targets.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
  • Chromosomes / metabolism
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics
  • Drosophila melanogaster / growth & development
  • Drosophila melanogaster / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Gene Silencing
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Larva / anatomy & histology
  • Larva / physiology
  • Mutation
  • Phenotype
  • Polycomb Repressive Complex 1
  • RNA Interference*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism*
  • Response Elements*

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Pc protein, Drosophila
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Polycomb Repressive Complex 1