Transcription-coupled methylation of histone H3 at lysine 36 regulates dosage compensation by enhancing recruitment of the MSL complex in Drosophila melanogaster.
In Drosophila melanogaster, dosage compensation relies on the targeting of the male-specific lethal (MSL) complex to hundreds of sites along the male X chromosome. Transcription-coupled methylation of histone H3 lysine 36 is enriched toward the 3' end of active genes, similar to the MSL proteins. Here, we have studied the link between histone H3 methylation and MSL complex targeting using RNA interference and chromatin immunoprecipitation. We show that trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 36 (H3K36me3) relies on the histone methyltransferase Hypb and is localized promoter distal at dosage-compensated genes, similar to active genes on autosomes. However, H3K36me3 has an X-specific function, as reduction specifically decreases acetylation of histone H4 lysine 16 on the male X chromosome. This hypoacetylation is caused by compromised MSL binding and results in a failure to increase expression twofold. Thus, H3K36me3 marks the body of all active genes yet is utilized in a chromosome-specific manner to enhance histone acetylation at sites of dosage compensation.
Bell
Oliver
O
European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Meyerhofstrasse 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany.
Conrad
Thomas
T
Kind
Jop
J
Wirbelauer
Christiane
C
Akhtar
Asifa
A
Schübeler
Dirk
D
D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites / Q000235:genetics; D002460:Cell Line; D047369:Chromatin Immunoprecipitation; D004303:Dosage Compensation, Genetic; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006657:Histones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008239:Lysine / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D008745:Methylation; D008954:Models, Biological; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes; D034622:RNA Interference; D019849:Sex Determination Processes; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014960:X Chromosome / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D006657:Histones; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes; D014157:Transcription Factors; D008239:Lysine