Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) refers to an over 200 nt functional RNA molecule that will not be translated into protein. Previously thought to be dark matters of the genome, lncRNAs have been gradually recognized as cr...Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) refers to an over 200 nt functional RNA molecule that will not be translated into protein. Previously thought to be dark matters of the genome, lncRNAs have been gradually recognized as crucial gene regulators. Although tremendous progress has been made in animals and human, the study of lncRNAs in plant is still in its infancy. Here, we reviewed the biogenesis and regulation mechanisms of lncRNAs and summarized the achievements that have been made in plant lncRNA identification and functional characterization. Genome-wide identification has uncovered large amount of lncRNAs in Arabidopsis, Rice, Maize and Wheat, and more information from other plant species will be expected with the aid of deep sequencing technologies. Similar to other species, LncRNA-mediated gene regulation also widely exists in plants, even though only a few functionally characterized examples are available. Up to now, at least four divergent lncRNA-mediated regulation mechanisms have been unraveled, including target mimicry, transcription interference, PRC2 associated histone methylation and DNA methylation. lncRNAs may be involved in the regulation of flowering, male sterility, nutrition metabolism, biotic and abiotic stress response in plants.展开更多
多聚梳抑制复合体2作为一种表观遗传调节因子可选择性催化组蛋白H3第27位赖氨酸三甲基化,从而诱导靶基因转录抑制。Zeste基因增强子同源物2(enhancer of zeste homolog 2,EZH2)是多聚梳抑制复合体2中具有酶活性的亚基,在肿瘤触发、进展...多聚梳抑制复合体2作为一种表观遗传调节因子可选择性催化组蛋白H3第27位赖氨酸三甲基化,从而诱导靶基因转录抑制。Zeste基因增强子同源物2(enhancer of zeste homolog 2,EZH2)是多聚梳抑制复合体2中具有酶活性的亚基,在肿瘤触发、进展、转移及耐药性方面有重要作用。EZH2与其他表观遗传修饰酶相互协调介导基因沉默,EZH2超表达是多种实体肿瘤晚期和转移性的标志,EZH2的表达与活性受多种肿瘤相关转录因子的调节,各位点氨基酸残基的磷酸化状态可影响EZH2的催化活性,EZH2基因突变在血液系统恶性肿瘤中频繁发生,除通过经典作用即催化抑癌基因启动子区组蛋白H3第27位赖氨酸甲基化来抑制转录外,EZH2还具有诱导基因活化功能。因此,EZH2成为肿瘤治疗的一个理想靶点,其特异性抑制剂EPZ6438正处于临床Ⅰ/Ⅱ期试验阶段。展开更多
Recently, it has been shown that plants contain homologs to the animal Polycomb repressive complex I （PRC1） components BM11 and RINGIA/B. In Arabidopsis, there are three BMIl-like genes, two of which, AtBMIIA and B,...Recently, it has been shown that plants contain homologs to the animal Polycomb repressive complex I （PRC1） components BM11 and RINGIA/B. In Arabidopsis, there are three BMIl-like genes, two of which, AtBMIIA and B, are required during post-embryonic plant growth to repress embryonic traits and allow cell differentiation. However, little is known about the third BMIl-like gene, AtBMIIC. In this work, we show that AtBMIIC is only expressed during endosperm and stamen development. AtBMIIC is an imprinted gene expressed from the maternal allele in the endosperm but bialleli- cally expressed in stamen. We found that the characteristic expression pattern of AtBMIIC is the result of a complex epigenetic regulation that involves CG DNA methylation, RNA-directed non-CG DNA methylation （RdDM）, and PcG activity. Our results show the orchestrated interplay of different epigenetic mechanisms in regulating gene expression throughout development, shedding light on the current hypotheses for the origin and mechanism of imprinting in plant endosperm.展开更多
Stem cells are unique cell populations identified in a variety of normal tissues and some cancers. Maintenance of stem cell pools is essential for normal development, tissue homeostasis, and tumorigenesis. Recent stud...Stem cells are unique cell populations identified in a variety of normal tissues and some cancers. Maintenance of stem cell pools is essential for normal development, tissue homeostasis, and tumorigenesis. Recent studies have revealed that Polycomb repressive complexes （PRCs） play a central role in maintaining stem cells by repressing cellular senescence and differentiation. Here, we will review recent findings on dynamic composition of PRC complexes and sub-complexes, how PRCs are recruited to chromatin, and their functional roles in maintaining self- renewal of stem cells. Furthermore, we will discuss how PRCs, CpG islands （CGIs）, the INK4A/ARF/INK4B locus, and developmental genes form a hierarchical regulatory axis that is utilized by a variety of stem cells to maintain their self- renewal and identities.展开更多
文摘Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) refers to an over 200 nt functional RNA molecule that will not be translated into protein. Previously thought to be dark matters of the genome, lncRNAs have been gradually recognized as crucial gene regulators. Although tremendous progress has been made in animals and human, the study of lncRNAs in plant is still in its infancy. Here, we reviewed the biogenesis and regulation mechanisms of lncRNAs and summarized the achievements that have been made in plant lncRNA identification and functional characterization. Genome-wide identification has uncovered large amount of lncRNAs in Arabidopsis, Rice, Maize and Wheat, and more information from other plant species will be expected with the aid of deep sequencing technologies. Similar to other species, LncRNA-mediated gene regulation also widely exists in plants, even though only a few functionally characterized examples are available. Up to now, at least four divergent lncRNA-mediated regulation mechanisms have been unraveled, including target mimicry, transcription interference, PRC2 associated histone methylation and DNA methylation. lncRNAs may be involved in the regulation of flowering, male sterility, nutrition metabolism, biotic and abiotic stress response in plants.
文摘多聚梳抑制复合体2作为一种表观遗传调节因子可选择性催化组蛋白H3第27位赖氨酸三甲基化,从而诱导靶基因转录抑制。Zeste基因增强子同源物2(enhancer of zeste homolog 2,EZH2)是多聚梳抑制复合体2中具有酶活性的亚基,在肿瘤触发、进展、转移及耐药性方面有重要作用。EZH2与其他表观遗传修饰酶相互协调介导基因沉默,EZH2超表达是多种实体肿瘤晚期和转移性的标志,EZH2的表达与活性受多种肿瘤相关转录因子的调节,各位点氨基酸残基的磷酸化状态可影响EZH2的催化活性,EZH2基因突变在血液系统恶性肿瘤中频繁发生,除通过经典作用即催化抑癌基因启动子区组蛋白H3第27位赖氨酸甲基化来抑制转录外,EZH2还具有诱导基因活化功能。因此,EZH2成为肿瘤治疗的一个理想靶点,其特异性抑制剂EPZ6438正处于临床Ⅰ/Ⅱ期试验阶段。
文摘Recently, it has been shown that plants contain homologs to the animal Polycomb repressive complex I （PRC1） components BM11 and RINGIA/B. In Arabidopsis, there are three BMIl-like genes, two of which, AtBMIIA and B, are required during post-embryonic plant growth to repress embryonic traits and allow cell differentiation. However, little is known about the third BMIl-like gene, AtBMIIC. In this work, we show that AtBMIIC is only expressed during endosperm and stamen development. AtBMIIC is an imprinted gene expressed from the maternal allele in the endosperm but bialleli- cally expressed in stamen. We found that the characteristic expression pattern of AtBMIIC is the result of a complex epigenetic regulation that involves CG DNA methylation, RNA-directed non-CG DNA methylation （RdDM）, and PcG activity. Our results show the orchestrated interplay of different epigenetic mechanisms in regulating gene expression throughout development, shedding light on the current hypotheses for the origin and mechanism of imprinting in plant endosperm.
文摘Stem cells are unique cell populations identified in a variety of normal tissues and some cancers. Maintenance of stem cell pools is essential for normal development, tissue homeostasis, and tumorigenesis. Recent studies have revealed that Polycomb repressive complexes （PRCs） play a central role in maintaining stem cells by repressing cellular senescence and differentiation. Here, we will review recent findings on dynamic composition of PRC complexes and sub-complexes, how PRCs are recruited to chromatin, and their functional roles in maintaining self- renewal of stem cells. Furthermore, we will discuss how PRCs, CpG islands （CGIs）, the INK4A/ARF/INK4B locus, and developmental genes form a hierarchical regulatory axis that is utilized by a variety of stem cells to maintain their self- renewal and identities.
