The JIL-1 histone H3S10 kinase regulates dimethyl H3K9 modifications and heterochromatic spreading in Drosophila.
In this study, we show that a reduction in the levels of the JIL-1 histone H3S10 kinase results in the spreading of the major heterochromatin markers dimethyl H3K9 and HP1 to ectopic locations on the chromosome arms, with the most pronounced increase on the X chromosomes. Genetic interaction assays demonstrated that JIL-1 functions in vivo in a pathway that includes Su(var)3-9, which is a major catalyst for dimethylation of the histone H3K9 residue, HP1 recruitment, and the formation of silenced heterochromatin. We further provide evidence that JIL-1 activity and localization are not affected by the absence of Su(var)3-9 activity, suggesting that JIL-1 is upstream of Su(var)3-9 in the pathway. Based on these findings, we propose a model where JIL-1 kinase activity functions to maintain euchromatic regions by antagonizing Su(var)3-9-mediated heterochromatization.
Zhang
Weiguo
W
Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA.
Deng
Huai
H
Bao
Xiaomin
X
Lerach
Stephanie
S
Girton
Jack
J
Johansen
Jørgen
J
Johansen
Kristen M
KM
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / Q000378:metabolism; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017344:Genes, Insect; D006570:Heterochromatin / Q000378:metabolism*; D000076983:Histone Methyltransferases; D011495:Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism*; D008745:Methylation; D011496:Protein Methyltransferases; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D006570:Heterochromatin; D006657:Histones; C452193:heterochromatin protein 1, Drosophila; D000076983:Histone Methyltransferases; D011496:Protein Methyltransferases; D011495:Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase; C507306:JIL-1 protein, Drosophila; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases