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Atrx promotes heterochromatin formation at retrotransposons
Author(s) -
Sadic Dennis,
Schmidt Katharina,
Groh Sophia,
Kondofersky Ivan,
Ellwart Joachim,
Fuchs Christiane,
Theis Fabian J,
Schotta Gunnar
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
embo reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.584
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1469-3178
pISSN - 1469-221X
DOI - 10.15252/embr.201439937
Subject(s) - heterochromatin , retrotransposon , atrx , biology , chromatin , heterochromatin protein 1 , genetics , genome , dna , gene , mutation , transposable element
More than 50% of mammalian genomes consist of retrotransposon sequences. Silencing of retrotransposons by heterochromatin is essential to ensure genomic stability and transcriptional integrity. Here, we identified a short sequence element in intracisternal A particle ( IAP ) retrotransposons that is sufficient to trigger heterochromatin formation. We used this sequence in a genome‐wide sh RNA screen and identified the chromatin remodeler Atrx as a novel regulator of IAP silencing. Atrx binds to IAP elements and is necessary for efficient heterochromatin formation. In addition, Atrx facilitates a robust and largely inaccessible heterochromatin structure as Atrx knockout cells display increased chromatin accessibility at retrotransposons and non‐repetitive heterochromatic loci. In summary, we demonstrate a direct role of Atrx in the establishment and robust maintenance of heterochromatin.