The catalytic subunit of Arabidopsis DNA polymerase α ensures stable maintenance of histone modification

Development. 2013 Jan 1;140(1):156-66. doi: 10.1242/dev.084624. Epub 2012 Nov 15.

Abstract

Mitotic inheritance of identical cellular memory is crucial for development in multicellular organisms. The cell type-specific epigenetic state should be correctly duplicated upon DNA replication to maintain cellular memory during tissue and organ development. Although a role of DNA replication machinery in maintenance of epigenetic memory has been proposed, technical limitations have prevented characterization of the process in detail. Here, we show that INCURVATA2 (ICU2), the catalytic subunit of DNA polymerase α in Arabidopsis, ensures the stable maintenance of repressive histone modifications. The missense mutant allele icu2-1 caused a defect in the mitotic maintenance of vernalization memory. Although neither the recruitment of CURLY LEAF (CLF), a SET-domain component of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2), nor the resultant deposition of the histone mark H3K27me3 required for vernalization-induced FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) repression were affected, icu2-1 mutants exhibited unstable maintenance of the H3K27me3 level at the FLC region, which resulted in mosaic FLC de-repression after vernalization. ICU2 maintains the repressive chromatin state at additional PRC2 targets as well as at heterochromatic retroelements. In icu2-1 mutants, the subsequent binding of LIKE-HETEROCHROMATIN PROTEIN 1 (LHP1), a functional homolog of PRC1, at PRC2 targets was also reduced. We demonstrated that ICU2 facilitates histone assembly in dividing cells, suggesting a possible mechanism for ICU2-mediated epigenetic maintenance.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / enzymology*
  • Arabidopsis / genetics*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / physiology*
  • Catalytic Domain / genetics
  • Catalytic Domain / physiology*
  • DNA Polymerase I / genetics
  • DNA Polymerase I / physiology*
  • Enzyme Stability / genetics
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / genetics
  • Histones / genetics
  • Histones / metabolism*
  • Mitosis / genetics
  • Mutation, Missense
  • Plants, Genetically Modified
  • Protein Subunits / genetics
  • Protein Subunits / physiology

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Histones
  • Protein Subunits
  • INCURVATA2 protein, Arabidopsis
  • DNA Polymerase I