Different domains control the localization and mobility of LIKE HETEROCHROMATIN PROTEIN1 in Arabidopsis nuclei.
Plants possess a single gene for the structurally related HETEROCHROMATIN PROTEIN1 (HP1), termed LIKE-HP1 (LHP1). We investigated the subnuclear localization, binding properties, and dynamics of LHP1 proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana cells. Transient expression assays showed that tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) LHP1 fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP; Sl LHP1-GFP) and Arabidopsis LHP1 (At LHP1-GFP) localized to heterochromatic chromocenters and showed punctuated distribution within the nucleus; tomato but not Arabidopsis LHP1 was also localized within the nucleolus. Mutations of aromatic cage residues that recognize methyl K9 of histone H3 abolished their punctuated distribution and localization to chromocenters. Sl LHP1-GFP plants displayed cell type-dependent subnuclear localization. The diverse localization pattern of tomato LHP1 did not require the chromo shadow domain (CSD), whereas the chromodomain alone was insufficient for localization to chromocenters; a nucleolar localization signal was identified within the hinge region. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching showed that Sl LHP1 is a highly mobile protein whose localization and retention are controlled by distinct domains; retention at the nucleolus and chromocenters is conferred by the CSD. Our results imply that LHP1 recruitment to chromatin is mediated, at least in part, through interaction with methyl K9 and that LHP1 controls different nuclear processes via transient binding to its nuclear sites.
Zemach
Assaf
A
Department of Plant Sciences, Weizman Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
Li
Yan
Y
Ben-Meir
Hagit
H
Oliva
Moran
M
Mosquna
Assaf
A
Kiss
Vladimir
V
Avivi
Yigal
Y
Ohad
Nir
N
Grafi
Gideon
G
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*; D002503:Centromere / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005816:Genetic Complementation Test; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism; D008745:Methylation; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016415:Sequence Alignment
D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D006657:Histones; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C443901:like heterochromatin protein 1