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Chromatin Isolation by RNA Purification (ChIRP)
Published on: March 25, 2012
Vernalization-mediated epigenetic silencing by a long intronic noncoding RNA
1Section of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology and Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, the University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712, USA.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|December 4, 2010
Summary
Vernalization uses cold to epigenetically silence the FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) gene. A novel long intronic noncoding RNA, COLDAIR, is essential for this cold-induced epigenetic repression by targeting PRC2 to FLC.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Epigenetics
- Molecular biology
Background:
- Vernalization is a crucial process enabling plants to flower in spring after winter cold exposure.
- This involves epigenetic silencing of floral repressors, notably FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) in Arabidopsis.
- Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) mediates this cold-induced epigenetic silencing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of noncoding RNAs in vernalization-mediated epigenetic silencing of FLC.
- To identify novel factors involved in targeting PRC2 to the FLC locus during cold exposure.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of gene expression and chromatin modifications in Arabidopsis plants subjected to cold treatment.
- RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays to detect RNA-protein and protein-DNA interactions.
- Genetic analysis using mutants deficient in specific noncoding RNAs.
Main Results:
- A long intronic noncoding RNA, named COLDAIR (COLD ASSISTED INTRONIC NONCODING RNA), is identified as critical for vernalization.
- COLDAIR physically interacts with a subunit of PRC2.
- COLDAIR is required for targeting PRC2 to the FLC locus, leading to stable epigenetic repression.
Conclusions:
- COLDAIR is a key component in the vernalization pathway, acting as a guide for PRC2 to the FLC gene.
- This interaction establishes stable repressive chromatin at FLC, ensuring proper flowering time in response to winter cold.
- COLDAIR represents a novel mechanism for environmentally-induced epigenetic regulation in plants.
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