Lecture 3 Flashcards
What is the role of the Homeobox (HOX) genes?
Transcription factors that control segmental patterning during development. Only one of the HOX genes is turned on in each segment and lie on the chromosome in the same order as the body segments
What type of mutant arise due to issues with the HOX genes?
Homeotic mutants - alterations in cell fate due to Hox loss of function or deregulation og Hox gene expression
Give an 2 example Homeotic mutants
antennapedia mutant
Mis-expression of Antp; Antennae to legs transformation
polycomb mutant
Sex combs on males 2nd and 3rd legs, rather than just their 1st leg
What two groups of proteins maintain Hox gene expression?
Polycomb proteins; maintain repression of other Hox
Trithorax group; maintain activation of one Hox gene
Which organisms have Polycomb genes?
Found across species and kingdoms
What are the the two principal classes of polycomb protein?
Polycomb repressive complex 1 and 2 (PRC1 & PRC2)
What are the functions of the different proteins that make up PRC2?
1 methyltransferase
1 protein-protein interaction WD40 protein
1 histone binding protein
1 Zinc finger: DNA binding protein
What is the role of PRC2?
Adds methyl group to form H3K27me3 which is a repressive mark
Why does PCR1 require PRC2 activity?
Chromodomain of PRC1 binds to the repressive mark added by PRC2
What are the functions of the different proteins that make up PRC1?
1 chromodomain to bind to repressive mark
1 Zn finger domain to bind DNA
1 E3 ubiquitin ligase for the mono-ubiquination of H2AK119
1 Ring finger for the ubiquitination
How can PRCs inhibit transcription?
1) physically block RNA PolII
2) H2AK119 uniquitination
3) Chromatin compactors
4) Recruitment of DNMTs
How are PRCs targeted to the correct gene in Drosophila?
Polycomb response elements (PRE’s) found in the promoters of PRC regulated genes. No equivalent seen in vertebrates or plants
How are the PRCs targeted in vertebrates and plants?
Likely via DNA binding proteins and/or non-coding RNA
What role does HOTAIR play in vertebrate HOX gene expression?
Recruits PRC2 to add repressive H3K27me3 mark and KDM1A-coREST-REST to remove H3K4me3 active marks
Which Hox cluster transcribes HOTAIR? Which Hox cluster does it work on?
Transcribes from HoxC
Acts on HoxD
How was HOTAIR’s interaction with PRC2 (methyltransferase component -EZH2) and KDM1A shown?
1) Immunoprecipitate these proteins assess for HOTAIR presence using rtPCR (with U1 as the negative control- to ensure the proteins are not just non-specific RNA binders). Found that HOTAIR was pulled out with both proteins.
2) Biotinylate HOTAIR and use the biotin label to purify the RNA and its associated proteins. Perform western blot for proteins of interest. Showed interaction with EZH2, LSD1, CoREST and REST.