Premium
Developmental information but not promoter activity controls the methylation state of histone H3 lysine 4 on two photosynthetic genes in maize
Author(s) -
Danker Tanja,
Dreesen Björn,
Offermann Sascha,
Horst Ina,
Peterhänsel Christoph
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the plant journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.058
H-Index - 269
eISSN - 1365-313X
pISSN - 0960-7412
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-313x.2007.03352.x
Subject(s) - biology , histone h3 , histone methylation , histone , methylation , histone code , epigenetics , ezh2 , chromatin , epigenomics , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , histone methyltransferase , gene , dna methylation , gene expression , nucleosome
Summary We have investigated the establishment of histone H3 methylation with respect to environmental and developmental signals for two key genes associated with C 4 photosynthesis in maize. Tri‐methylation of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) in roots and leaves was shown to be controlled by autonomous cell‐type‐specific developmental signals that are independent of illumination and therefore independent of the initiation of transcription. Di‐ and mono‐methylation of H3K4 act antagonistically to this process. The modifications were already established in etiolated seedlings, and remained stable when genes were inactivated by dark treatment or pharmaceutical inhibition of transcription. Constitutive di‐methylation of H3K9 was concomitantly detected at specific gene positions. The data support a histone code model whereby cell‐type‐specific signals induce the formation of a chromatin structure that potentiates gene activation by environmental cues.