Homeotic transformations of the axial skeleton of YY1 mutant mice and genetic interaction with the Polycomb group gene Ring1/Ring1A

Mech Dev. 2006 Apr;123(4):312-20. doi: 10.1016/j.mod.2006.02.003. Epub 2006 Apr 18.

Abstract

Polycomb group (PcG) proteins participate in the maintenance of transcriptionally repressed state of genes relevant to cell differentiation. Here, we show anterior homeotic transformations of the axial skeleton of YY1(+/-) mice. We find that the penetrance of some of these alterations was reduced in mice that are deficient in the class II PcG gene Ring1/Ring1A, indicating a genetic interaction between those two genes. Further support for this interaction is an abnormal anterior eye formation in Ring1-deficient mice, which is enhanced in compound YY1(+/-)Ring1(-/-) mice. In addition, YY1 forms complexes with Ring1 and other class II PcG proteins such as Rnf2 and Bmi1 in GST pull down experiments in transfected cells. These findings provide evidence for a PcG function for YY1 in vertebrates.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anterior Eye Segment / abnormalities*
  • Bone Development / genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Genes, Homeobox
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Musculoskeletal Abnormalities / genetics*
  • Mutation
  • Polycomb Repressive Complex 1
  • Polycomb-Group Proteins
  • Pregnancy
  • Repressor Proteins / physiology*
  • Spine / abnormalities*
  • YY1 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • YY1 Transcription Factor / metabolism*

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Polycomb-Group Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • YY1 Transcription Factor
  • Yy1 protein, mouse
  • Polycomb Repressive Complex 1
  • Ring1 protein, mouse