Targeted 3' processing of antisense transcripts triggers Arabidopsis FLC chromatin silencing.
Noncoding RNA is emerging as an important regulator of gene expression in many organisms. We are characterizing RNA-mediated chromatin silencing of the Arabidopsis major floral repressor gene, FLC. Through suppressor mutagenesis, we identify a requirement for CstF64 and CstF77, two conserved RNA 3'-end-processing factors, in FLC silencing. However, FLC sense transcript 3' processing is not affected in the mutants. Instead, CstF64 and CstF77 are required for 3' processing of FLC antisense transcripts. A specific RNA-binding protein directs their activity to a proximal antisense polyadenylation site. This targeted processing triggers localized histone demethylase activity and results in reduced FLC sense transcription. Targeted 3' processing of antisense transcripts may be a common mechanism triggering transcriptional silencing of the corresponding sense gene.
Liu
Fuquan
F
Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK.
Marquardt
Sebastian
S
Lister
Clare
C
Swiezewski
Szymon
S
Dean
Caroline
C
D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002843:Chromatin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D039241:Cleavage Stimulation Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004843:Epistasis, Genetic; D035264:Flowers / Q000254:growth & development; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D020868:Gene Silencing; D006655:Histone Deacetylases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D026161:MADS Domain Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008957:Models, Genetic; D026723:Polyadenylation; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional; D016372:RNA, Antisense / Q000378:metabolism*; D018749:RNA, Plant / Q000378:metabolism*; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013489:Suppression, Genetic; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D039221:mRNA Cleavage and Polyadenylation Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D002843:Chromatin; D039241:Cleavage Stimulation Factor; C546570:CstF64 protein, Arabidopsis; C528628:CstF77 protein, Arabidopsis; C418902:At5g10140 protein, Arabidopsis; C432432:FPA protein, Arabidopsis; C518020:FY protein, Arabidopsis; C106535:Flowering time control protein FCA, Arabidopsis; D026161:MADS Domain Proteins; D016372:RNA, Antisense; D018749:RNA, Plant; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D039221:mRNA Cleavage and Polyadenylation Factors; C479923:flowering locus D protein, Arabidopsis; D006655:Histone Deacetylases