Cytosolic acetyl-CoA promotes histone acetylation predominantly at H3K27 in Arabidopsis

Nat Plants. 2017 Oct;3(10):814-824. doi: 10.1038/s41477-017-0023-7. Epub 2017 Sep 25.

Abstract

Acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) is a central metabolite and the acetyl source for protein acetylation, particularly histone acetylation that promotes gene expression. However, the effect of acetyl-CoA levels on histone acetylation status in plants remains unknown. Here, we show that malfunctioned cytosolic acetyl-CoA carboxylase1 (ACC1) in Arabidopsis leads to elevated levels of acetyl-CoA and promotes histone hyperacetylation predominantly at lysine 27 of histone H3 (H3K27). The increase of H3K27 acetylation (H3K27ac) is dependent on adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-citrate lyase which cleaves citrate to acetyl-CoA in the cytoplasm, and requires histone acetyltransferase GCN5. A comprehensive analysis of the transcriptome and metabolome in combination with the genome-wide H3K27ac profiles of acc1 mutants demonstrate the dynamic changes in H3K27ac, gene transcripts and metabolites occurring in the cell by the increased levels of acetyl-CoA. This study suggests that H3K27ac is an important link between cytosolic acetyl-CoA level and gene expression in response to the dynamic metabolic environments in plants.

MeSH terms

  • Acetyl Coenzyme A / metabolism*
  • Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase / genetics
  • Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase / metabolism
  • Acetylation
  • Arabidopsis / metabolism*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cytosol / metabolism
  • Histones / metabolism*
  • Isoenzymes / genetics
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism
  • Lysine / metabolism

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Histones
  • Isoenzymes
  • Acetyl Coenzyme A
  • Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase
  • Lysine