Article abstract
Nature Structural & Molecular Biology 14, 1150 - 1156 (2007)
Published online: 18 November 2007 | doi:10.1038/nsmb1316
p38 MAPK signaling regulates recruitment of Ash2L-containing methyltransferase complexes to specific genes during differentiation
Shravanti Rampalli1, LiFang Li1, Esther Mak1, Kai Ge2, Marjorie Brand1,3, Stephen J Tapscott4 & F Jeffrey Dilworth1,3
Abstract
Cell-specific patterns of gene expression are established through the antagonistic functions of trithorax group (TrxG) and Polycomb group (PcG) proteins. Several muscle-specific genes have previously been shown to be epigenetically marked for repression by PcG proteins in muscle progenitor cells. Here we demonstrate that these developmentally regulated genes become epigenetically marked for gene expression (trimethylated on histone H3 Lys4, H3K4me3) during muscle differentiation through specific recruitment of Ash2L-containing methyltransferase complexes. Targeting of Ash2L to specific genes is mediated by the transcriptional regulator Mef2d. Furthermore, this interaction is modulated during differentiation through activation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway via phosphorylation of Mef2d. Thus, we provide evidence that signaling pathways regulate the targeting of TrxG-mediated epigenetic modifications at specific promoters during cellular differentiation.
- Sprott Center for Stem Cell Research, Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada.
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, US National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada.
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA.
Correspondence to: F Jeffrey Dilworth1,3 e-mail: jdilworth@ohri.ca
MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS
These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated.
NEWS AND VIEWS
Something to SNF aboutNature Genetics News and Views (01 Jul 2004)
SET domain proteins reSET gene expressionNature Structural Biology News and Views (01 Dec 2002)
See all 6 matches for News And ViewsRESEARCH
p38 pathway targets SWI-SNF chromatin-remodeling complex to muscle-specific lociNature Genetics Letter (01 Jul 2004)
Genetic analysis of p38 MAP kinases in myogenesis: fundamental role of p38α in abrogating myoblast proliferationThe EMBO Journal Article
See all 55 matches for Research
