Our recent progress in epigenetic research using the model ciliate, Tetrahymena thermophila

• 作者: Jie Huang Shan Gao Ting Cheng Weibo Song Xiao Chen Xiaolu Zhao Yuanyuan Wang
• 来源期刊: 海洋生命科学与技术(英文)
• 学科: 生物学
• 关键词: EPIGENETICS TETRAHYMENA N6-methyladenine(6mA) NUCLEOSOME TRANSPOSABLE elements Histone METHYLTRANSFERASE TXR1
• 年，卷（期）: 2019,（1）
• 页码范围: 4-14
• 页数: 11页
• 分类号: Q75

摘要

Epigenetic research focuses on heritable changes beyond the DNA sequence, which has led to a revolution in biologicalstudies and benefits in many other fields. The well-known model ciliate, Tetrahymena thermophila offers a unique system forepigenetic studies due to its nuclear dimorphism and special mode of sexual reproduction (conjugation), as well as abundantgenomic resources and genetic tools. In this paper, we summarize recent progress made by our research team and collaboratorsin understanding epigenetic mechanisms using Tetrahymena. This includes: (1) providing the first genome-wide basepair-resolution map of DNA N6-methyladenine (6mA) and revealed it as an integral part of the chromatin landscape;(2)dissecting the relative contribution of cis-and trans- elements to nucleosome distribution by exploring the unique nucleardimorphism of Tetrahymena, (3) demonstrating the epigenetic controls of RNAi-dependent Polycomb repression pathwayson transposable elements, and (4) identifying a new histone monomethyltransferase, TXR1 (Tetrahymena Trithorax 1), thatfacilitates replication elongation through 让s substrate histone H3 lysine 27 monomethylation (H3K27mel).