Arabidopsis thaliana telomeres exhibit euchromatic features.
Telomere function is influenced by chromatin structure and organization, which usually involves epigenetic modifications. We describe here the chromatin structure of Arabidopsis thaliana telomeres. Based on the study of six different epigenetic marks we show that Arabidopsis telomeres exhibit euchromatic features. In contrast, subtelomeric regions and telomeric sequences present at interstitial chromosomal loci are heterochromatic. Histone methyltransferases and the chromatin remodeling protein DDM1 control subtelomeric heterochromatin formation. Whereas histone methyltransferases are required for histone H3K9(2Me) and non-CpG DNA methylation, DDM1 directs CpG methylation but not H3K9(2Me) or non-CpG methylation. These results argue that both kinds of proteins participate in different pathways to reinforce subtelomeric heterochromatin formation.
Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, Universidad de Sevilla - CSIC, 41092 Seville, Spain.
María I
MI
Vaquero-Sedas
Francisco M
FM
Gámez-Arjona
Miguel A
MA
Vega-Palas
D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D019175:DNA Methylation; D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D022041:Euchromatin / Q000737:chemistry*; D000076983:Histone Methyltransferases; D011495:Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism; D006657:Histones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D016615:Telomere / Q000737:chemistry*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology
D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; C118957:DDM1 protein, Arabidopsis; D018744:DNA, Plant; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D022041:Euchromatin; D006657:Histones; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000076983:Histone Methyltransferases; D011495:Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase