The Arabidopsis hnRNP-Q Protein LIF2 and the PRC1 Subunit LHP1 Function in Concert to Regulate the Transcription of Stress-Responsive Genes

LHP1-INTERACTING FACTOR2 (LIF2), a heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein involved in Arabidopsis thaliana cell fate and stress responses, interacts with LIKE HETEROCHROMATIN PROTEIN1 (LHP1), a Polycomb Repressive Complex1 subunit. To investigate LIF2-LHP1 functional interplay, we mapped their genome-wide distributions in wild-type, lif2 , and lhp1 backgrounds, under standard and stress conditions. Interestingly, LHP1-targeted regions form local clusters, suggesting an underlying functional organization of the plant genome. Regions targeted by both LIF2 and LHP1 were enriched in stress-responsive genes, the H2A.Z histone variant, and antagonistic histone marks. We identified specific motifs within the targeted regions, including a G-box-like motif, a GAGA motif, and a telo -box. LIF2 and LHP1 can operate both antagonistically and synergistically. In response to methyl jasmonate treatment, LIF2 was rapidly recruited to chromatin, where it mediated transcriptional gene activation. Thus, LIF2 and LHP1 participate in transcriptional switches in stress-response pathways.