DNA methyltransferases are required to induce heterochromatic re-replication in Arabidopsis

PLoS Genet. 2012 Jul;8(7):e1002808. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1002808. Epub 2012 Jul 5.

Abstract

The relationship between epigenetic marks on chromatin and the regulation of DNA replication is poorly understood. Mutations of the H3K27 methyltransferase genes, Arabidopsis trithorax-related protein5 (ATXR5) and ATXR6, result in re-replication (repeated origin firing within the same cell cycle). Here we show that mutations that reduce DNA methylation act to suppress the re-replication phenotype of atxr5 atxr6 mutants. This suggests that DNA methylation, a mark enriched at the same heterochromatic regions that re-replicate in atxr5/6 mutants, is required for aberrant re-replication. In contrast, RNA sequencing analyses suggest that ATXR5/6 and DNA methylation cooperatively transcriptionally silence transposable elements (TEs). Hence our results suggest a complex relationship between ATXR5/6 and DNA methylation in the regulation of DNA replication and transcription of TEs.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / genetics*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins* / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins* / metabolism
  • Cell Cycle / genetics
  • DNA Methylation / genetics*
  • DNA Replication* / genetics
  • DNA Transposable Elements / genetics
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / genetics
  • Gene Expression
  • Heterochromatin* / genetics
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase / genetics
  • Homologous Recombination
  • Methyltransferases* / genetics
  • Methyltransferases* / metabolism
  • Mutation
  • Replication Origin / genetics
  • Sequence Analysis, RNA

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • Heterochromatin
  • ATXR5 protein, Arabidopsis
  • ATXR6 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Methyltransferases
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE38286