Polycomb group protein complexes: do different complexes regulate distinct target genes?

Author(s):  
David P.E Satijn ◽  
Arie P Otte
2001 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1360-1369 ◽  
Author(s):  
David P. E. Satijn ◽  
Karien M. Hamer ◽  
Jan den Blaauwen ◽  
Arie P. Otte

ABSTRACT Polycomb group (PcG) proteins form multimeric protein complexes which are involved in the heritable stable repression of genes. Previously, we identified two distinct human PcG protein complexes. The EED-EZH protein complex contains the EED and EZH2 PcG proteins, and the HPC-HPH PcG complex contains the HPC, HPH, BMI1, and RING1 PcG proteins. Here we show that YY1, a homolog of theDrosophila PcG protein pleiohomeotic (Pho), interacts specificially with the human PcG protein EED but not with proteins of the HPC-HPH PcG complex. Since YY1 and Pho are DNA-binding proteins, the interaction between YY1 and EED provides a direct link between the chromatin-associated EED-EZH PcG complex and the DNA of target genes. To study the functional significance of the interaction, we expressed the Xenopus homologs of EED and YY1 inXenopus embryos. Both Xeed and XYY1 induce an ectopic neural axis but do not induce mesodermal tissues. In contrast, members of the HPC-HPH PcG complex do not induce neural tissue. The exclusive, direct neuralizing activity of both the Xeed and XYY1 proteins underlines the significance of the interaction between the two proteins. Our data also indicate a role for chromatin-associated proteins, such as PcG proteins, in Xenopus neural induction.


2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luisa A Wakeling ◽  
Laura J Ions ◽  
Suzanne M Escolme ◽  
Simon J Cockell ◽  
Tianhong Su ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (7) ◽  
pp. 1157-1168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilio Lecona ◽  
Varun Narendra ◽  
Danny Reinberg

USP7 is a protein deubiquitinase with an essential role in development. Here, we provide evidence that USP7 regulates the activity of Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) in coordination with SCML2. There are six versions of PRC1 defined by the association of one of the PCGF homologues (PCGF1 to PCGF6) with the common catalytic subunit RING1B. First, we show that SCML2, a Polycomb group protein that associates with PRC1.2 (containing PCGF2/MEL18) and PRC1.4 (containing PCGF4/BMI1), modulates the localization of USP7 and bridges USP7 with PRC1.4, allowing for the stabilization of BMI1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiments demonstrate that USP7 is found at SCML2 and BMI1 target genes. Second, inhibition of USP7 leads to a reduction in the level of ubiquitinated histone H2A (H2Aub), the catalytic product of PRC1 and key for its repressive activity. USP7 regulates the posttranslational status of RING1B and BMI1, a specific component of PRC1.4. Thus, not only does USP7 stabilize PRC1 components, its catalytic activity is also necessary to maintain a functional PRC1, thereby ensuring appropriate levels of repressive H2Aub.


1998 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 3586-3595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard G. A. B. Sewalt ◽  
Johan van der Vlag ◽  
Marco J. Gunster ◽  
Karien M. Hamer ◽  
Jan L. den Blaauwen ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT In Drosophila melanogaster, thePolycomb-group (PcG) andtrithorax-group (trxG) genes have been identified as repressors and activators, respectively, of gene expression. Both groups of genes are required for the stable transmission of gene expression patterns to progeny cells throughout development. Several lines of evidence suggest a functional interaction between the PcG and trxG proteins. For example, genetic evidence indicates that the enhancer of zeste [E(z)] gene can be considered both a PcG and a trxGgene. To better understand the molecular interactions in which the E(z) protein is involved, we performed a two-hybrid screen with Enx1/EZH2, a mammalian homolog of E(z), as the target. We report the identification of the human EED protein, which interacts with Enx1/EZH2. EED is the human homolog ofeed, a murine PcG gene which has extensive homology with the Drosophila PcG gene extra sex combs(esc). Enx1/EZH2 and EED coimmunoprecipitate, indicating that they also interact in vivo. However, Enx1/EZH2 and EED do not coimmunoprecipitate with other human PcG proteins, such as HPC2 and BMI1. Furthermore, unlike HPC2 and BMI1, which colocalize in nuclear domains of U-2 OS osteosarcoma cells, Enx1/EZH2 and EED do not colocalize with HPC2 or BMI1. Our findings indicate that Enx1/EZH2 and EED are members of a class of PcG proteins that is distinct from previously described human PcG proteins.


Development ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 125 (13) ◽  
pp. 2457-2467 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Holdeman ◽  
S. Nehrt ◽  
S. Strome

A unique and essential feature of germ cells is their immortality. In Caenorhabditis elegans, germline immortality requires the maternal contribution from four genes, mes-2, mes-3, mes-4 and mes-6. We report here that mes-2 encodes a protein similar to the Drosophila Polycomb group protein, Enhancer of zeste, and in the accompanying paper that mes-6 encodes another Polycomb group protein. The Polycomb group is responsible for maintaining proper patterns of expression of the homeotic and other genes in Drosophila. It is thought that Polycomb group proteins form heteromeric complexes and control gene expression by altering chromatin conformation of target genes. As predicted from its similarity to a Polycomb group protein, MES-2 localizes to nuclei. MES-2 is found in germline nuclei in larval and adult worms and in all nuclei in early embryos. By the end of embryogenesis, MES-2 is detected primarily in the two primordial germ cells. The correct distribution of MES-2 requires the wild-type functions of mes-3 and mes-6. We hypothesize that mes-2 encodes a maternal regulator of gene expression in the early germline; its function is essential for normal early development and viability of germ cells.


2007 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 536-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei-Jian Guo ◽  
Sonal Datta ◽  
Vimla Band ◽  
Goberdhan P. Dimri

Polycomb group (PcG) protein Bmi-1 is an important regulator of cell proliferation. It regulates cellular senescence and proliferation of cells via the transcriptional repression of INK4a/ARF locus and other target genes. Here, we report that Mel-18, a PcG ring finger protein (PCGF) transcriptionally down-regulates Bmi-1. Furthermore, the expression of Bmi-1 and Mel-18 inversely correlates in proliferating and senescent human fibroblasts. Bmi-1 down-regulation by Mel-18 results in accelerated senescence and shortening of the replicative life span in normal human cells. Importantly, using promoter-reporter, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and quantitative real-time primary transcript RT-PCR assays, and an RNA interference approach, we demonstrate that Bmi-1 is a bona fide target of c-Myc oncoprotein. Finally, our data suggest that Mel-18 regulates Bmi-1 expression during senescence via down-regulation of c-Myc. These studies link c-Myc and polycomb function in cell proliferation and senescence.


2007 ◽  
Vol 282 (46) ◽  
pp. 33421-33434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert F. Gillespie ◽  
Lorraine J. Gudas

The retinoic acid receptor (RAR) α, β2, and γ isotypes each regulate specific subsets of target genes in F9 teratocarcinoma stem cells. We used chromatin immunoprecipitation assays to monitor the association of RARγ, retinoic X receptor (RXR) α, and coregulators with the RARβ2, Hoxa1, and Cyp26A1 retinoic acid response elements (RAREs) in F9 wild type and RARα, -β2, and -γ null cells. Additionally we quantitatively monitored expression of the corresponding mRNAs. We demonstrated that the association of RARγ and/or RXRα with a RARE was not sufficient for retinoic acid (RA)-mediated transcription of the corresponding target gene. However, the ability of RARγ and/or RXRα to recruit pCIP (AIB1/ACTR/RAC-3/TRAM-1/SRC-3) and p300 to a RARE did correlate with RA-associated transcription of target mRNAs. Therefore, the specific functions of the RAR isotypes do not manifest at the level of their DNA binding but rather from a differential ability to recruit specific components of the transcriptional machinery. We also demonstrated that RA-mediated displacement of the polycomb group protein SUZ12 from a RARE was inhibited in the absence of RARγ. Thus, transcriptional components of the RAR signaling pathway are specifically required for displacement of SUZ12 from RAREs during RA-mediated differentiation of F9 cells.


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