title: Sensing cellular states--signaling to chromatin pathways targeting Polycomb and Trithorax group function.
abstract: Cells respond to extra- and intra-cellular signals by dynamically changing their gene expression patterns. After termination of the original signal, new expression patterns are maintained by epigenetic DNA and histone modifications. This represents a powerful mechanism that enables long-term phenotypic adaptation to transient signals. Adaptation of epigenetic landscapes is important for mediating cellular differentiation during development and allows adjustment to altered environmental conditions throughout life. Work over the last decade has begun to elucidate the way that extra- and intra-cellular signals lead to changes in gene expression patterns by directly modulating the function of chromatin-associated proteins. Here, we review key signaling-to-chromatin pathways that are specifically thought to target Polycomb and Trithorax group complexes, a classic example of epigenetically acting gene silencers and activators important in development, stem cell differentiation and cancer. We discuss the influence that signals triggered by kinase cascades, metabolic fluctuations and cell-cycle dynamics have on the function of these protein complexes. Further investigation into these pathways will be important for understanding the mechanisms that maintain epigenetic stability and those that promote epigenetic plasticity.
authors.affiliation: Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Faculty of Biology, Grosshaderner Strasse 2-4, 82152, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany.
authors.forename: Addie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kolybaba
authors.forename: Anne-Kathrin
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Classen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000235:genetics; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D002843:Chromatin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D011495:Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase; D006801:Humans; D051788:Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D063146:Polycomb-Group Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin; C497422:KMT2A protein, human; D063146:Polycomb-Group Proteins; D051788:Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein; D011495:Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase