Identification of polycomb repressive complex 1 and 2 core components in hexaploid bread wheat

Area of Science:

• Epigenetics
• Plant Molecular Biology
• Genomics

Background:

• Polycomb repressive complexes (PRC1, PRC2) are crucial for epigenetic gene regulation via histone modifications.
• PRC2 trimethylates H3K27; PRC1 monoubiquitinates H2AK119.
• The evolution of polycomb group genes in monocots, especially allopolyploids like wheat, remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify PRC1 and PRC2 subunits in allohexaploid bread wheat.
• To reconstruct the evolutionary history of these gene families.
• To analyze their transcriptional patterns across 33 developmental stages.

Main Methods:

• In silico identification of PRC1 and PRC2 subunits in bread wheat.
• Chromosomal localization of identified genes.
• Transcriptional analysis using RNA-seq data from various tissues and developmental stages.
• Phylogenetic analysis of protein conservation.

Main Results:

• Identified core PRC2 subunits [E(z), Su(z), FIE, MSI] and PRC1 subunits (Pc, Psc, Sce) in bread wheat.
• Most genes coding for these subunits exist as paralogs.
• Transcriptional activity varied significantly among paralogs across developmental stages.
• Phylogenetic analysis indicated high protein conservation among temperate cereals.

Conclusions:

• The identification and localization of PRC1 and PRC2 components in bread wheat provide a foundation for understanding developmental processes.
• This research may offer insights into vernalization mechanisms in winter wheat varieties.