title: Small RNA expression from the human macrosatellite DXZ4.
abstract: Small noncoding RNAs play several roles in regulating gene expression. In the nucleus, small RNA-Argonaute complexes recruit epigenetic modifying activities to genomic sites. This pathway has been described in mammals primarily for the germline; however, its role in somatic cells is less characterized. Here, we describe in human somatic cells a potential link between the expression of small RNAs from the macrosatellite DXZ4 and Argonaute-dependent DNA methylation of this locus. DXZ4 was found to express a wide range of small RNAs potentially representing several classes of small RNAs. A subpopulation of these RNAs is bound by Argonaute. Moreover, we show AGO association with DXZ4 and that the Argonaute proteins AGO-1 and PIWIL4 may play a role in DNA methylation of DXZ4. We hypothesize that the RNAs are involved in Argonaute-dependent methylation of DXZ4 DNA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, the Carolina Center for Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599 Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pohlers
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, the Carolina Center for Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599 Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599.
authors.forename: J Mauro
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Calabrese
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, the Carolina Center for Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599 Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599 trm4@med.unc.edu.
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Magnuson
mesh_terms: D060565:Argonaute Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D002843:Chromatin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018899:CpG Islands; D019175:DNA Methylation; D039642:Eukaryotic Initiation Factors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D056426:Genetic Loci; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006801:Humans; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000378:metabolism; D058727:RNA, Small Untranslated / Q000378:metabolism*; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins
chemical_list: C115848:AGO1 protein, human; D060565:Argonaute Proteins; D002843:Chromatin; D039642:Eukaryotic Initiation Factors; C556795:PIWIL4 protein, human; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D058727:RNA, Small Untranslated; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins
keywords: Argonaute; DNA methylation; PIWI; small noncoding RNA; somatic cells