ATX1-Generated H3K4me3 Is Required for Efficient Elongation of Transcription, Not Initiation, at ATX1- Regulated Genes

Authors

Yong Ding, University of Science and Technology of ChinaFollow
Ivan Ndamukong, East Carolina University
Zaoshi Xu, Anhui Forestry High-Tech Development Center
Hanna Lapko, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Michael E. Fromm, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Zoya Avramova, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2012

Citation

Published by Ding, Ndamukong, Xu, Lapko, Fromm & Avramova in PLoS Genetics (December 2012) 8(12): e1003111.

Comments

Copyright © 2012, the authors. Used by permission.

Abstract

Tri-methylated H3 lysine 4 (H3K4me3) is associated with transcriptionally active genes, but its function in the transcription process is still unclear. Point mutations in the catalytic domain of ATX1 (ARABIDOPSIS TRITHORAX1), a H3K4 methyltransferase, and RNAi knockdowns of subunits of the AtCOMPASS–like (Arabidopsis Complex Proteins Associated with Set) were used to address this question. We demonstrate that both ATX1 and AtCOMPASS–like are required for high level accumulation of TBP (TATA-binding protein) and Pol II at promoters and that this requirement is independent of the catalytic histone modifying activity. However, the catalytic function is critically required for transcription as H3K4me3 levels determine the efficiency of transcription elongation. The roles of H3K4me3, ATX1, and AtCOMPASS–like may be of a general relevance for transcription of Trithorax-activated eukaryotic genes.