Epigenetic activation of the 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) receptor 2C in embryonal carcinoma cells is DNA replication-dependent.
The epigenetic states of key regulatory genes must be altered to drive cell fate decisions in differentiating cells. This process must be coupled, at least transiently, to the DNA replication machinery. Only a few genes, however, have been shown to require DNA replication for their activation or repression upon induction of differentiation. We have developed a methodology for examining how gene expression is coupled to cell division during the early stages of differentiation of embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells. Using this approach, we find that the expression of the 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) receptor 2C (Htr2c) is strongly increased in the second division after all-trans retinoic acid addition. We propose that the epigenetic activation of Htr2c in EC cells results from a chromatin remodeling process that requires at least two passages through S phase.
Bancescu
Daria L
DL
Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington 06030-3301, USA.
Glatt-Deeley
Heather
H
Lalande
Marc
M
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000235:genetics; D002460:Cell Line; D042002:Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D004261:DNA Replication / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D054278:Embryonal Carcinoma Stem Cells; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D044405:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D016196:S Phase / Q000235:genetics; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology
D044405:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C; D012701:Serotonin; D014212:Tretinoin