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Histone H3 lysine 4 methylation patterns in higher eukaryotic genes
Robert Schneider1, Andrew J Bannister, Fiona A Myers
1Wellcome/CR UK Institute and Department of Pathology, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QR, UK.
Nature Cell Biology
|December 9, 2003
Summary
Histone lysine methylation, specifically trimethyl lysine 4 of histone H3 (K4/H3), is linked to active gene transcription in higher eukaryotes. However, some inactive genes show K4/H3 methylation, suggesting a role in maintaining poised chromatin states.
Area of Science:
- Epigenetics
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Histone lysine residues undergo mono-, di-, or tri-methylation.
- Trimethylation of Lysine 4 of histone H3 (K4/H3) in yeast correlates with transcriptional activity.
- Limited knowledge exists regarding K4/H3 methylation patterns in higher eukaryotes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the K4/H3 methylation pattern in metazoan genes.
- To compare K4/H3 methylation in active, inactive, and developmentally regulated chicken genes.
- To elucidate differences in K4/H3 methylation between yeast and metazoans.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of K4/H3 methylation patterns at the promoter and transcribed regions of chicken genes.
- Comparison of methylation patterns across developmentally regulated, constitutively active, and inactive genes.
- Examination of K4/H3 di- and tri-methylation distribution.
Main Results:
- K4/H3 methylation patterns in chickens show similarities to yeast, with tri-methyl K4/H3 peaking in the 5' transcribed regions.
- Active genes exhibit higher levels of tri-methyl K4/H3 compared to inactive genes.
- Inactive genes within the beta-globin locus display significant K4/H3 methylation, indicating a role in poised chromatin.
- K4/H3 di-methylation is not uniformly distributed and not genome-wide.
Conclusions:
- Di- and tri-methylation of K4/H3 are linked to active transcription in metazoans.
- Significant differences exist in genome-wide K4/H3 methylation patterns between metazoans and yeast.
- K4/H3 methylation may contribute to maintaining a poised chromatin state in inactive genes.