Polycomb group-dependent imprinting of the actin regulator AtFH5 regulates morphogenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana.
During embryogenesis, Polycomb group (PcG) complexes deposit silencing histone modifications and target homeotic genes, which regulate the patterning of other transcription factors. This transcriptional network further maintains cell fate. However, genome-wide identification of histone modifications has suggested that PcG complexes might regulate genes other than those encoding transcription factors. In Arabidopsis, we show that PcG activity directly targets the actin regulator formin ARABIDOPSIS FORMIN HOMOLOGUE 5 (AtFH5). PcG activity silences the paternal allele of AtFH5, restricting its expression to the maternal allele. AtFH5 thus appears to be a new, maternally expressed imprinted gene. We further demonstrate that AtFH5 is responsible for morphological defects caused by the loss of PcG activity in the seed.
Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of Singapore, Singapore. fred@tll.org.sg
Jonathan Nesbit
JN
Fitz Gerald
Poh Shi
PS
Hui
Frédéric
F
Berger
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development*; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D063146:Polycomb-Group Proteins; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012639:Seeds / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development
D000199:Actins; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; C500405:FH5 protein, Arabidopsis; D063146:Polycomb-Group Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins