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Updated: Jun 5, 2026
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Exploring the Arginine Methylome by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Published on: December 16, 2021
Arginine methylation of BAF155 regulates interactions with RNA processing machinery
Mallory Sokolowski1,2, Deena Scoville1,2, Peyton C Kuhlers1,3
1Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|June 4, 2026
Summary
Dimethylation of BAF155 (BAF155me2a) enhances interactions with RNA processing factors, impacting nascent transcription. This post-translational modification (PTM) reveals a non-canonical role for SWI/SNF in regulating gene expression.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Epigenetics
- Gene Regulation
Background:
- Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of chromatin remodelers are crucial but understudied.
- Asymmetric dimethylation of arginine 1064 (BAF155me2a) on BAF155 is linked to tumor progression but its function is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular function of BAF155me2a, a PTM on the SWI/SNF subunit BAF155.
- To determine how BAF155me2a influences interactions with other proteins and affects gene transcription.
Main Methods:
- Immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry using a dimethyl-specific antibody.
- CUT&RUN profiling to assess protein co-occupancy at genomic regions.
- Generation of methylation-deficient BAF155 mutants (BAF155-R1064K).
- Nascent transcription analysis using TT-seq.
Main Results:
- BAF155me2a selectively enhances interactions between BAF155 and RNA processing factors like SCAF4 and RFX5.
- BAF155me2a, SCAF4, and RFX5 co-occupy promoter regions.
- Loss of BAF155 methylation reduced nascent transcription, particularly PROMPTs, without affecting chromatin accessibility or initial recruitment.
Conclusions:
- BAF155 dimethylation acts as a co-transcriptional interface, coupling SWI/SNF with RNA processing machinery.
- PTMs of SWI/SNF components regulate nascent transcription, representing a novel function for these modifications.
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