Role of a novel DNA demethylation enzyme in cellular memory

• Project/Area Number: 15K18558
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Plant molecular biology/Plant physiology
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: Buzas Diana Mihaela 筑波大学, 生命環境系, 准教授 (00616229)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2017)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,290,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥990,000); Fiscal Year 2017: ¥910,000 (Direct Cost: ¥700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥210,000); Fiscal Year 2016: ¥1,430,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000); Fiscal Year 2015: ¥1,950,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥450,000)
• Keywords: DNA demethylation / DNA methylation / methylation / Epigenetics

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Some gene expression programs induced by transient signals remain stable across cell divisions. Such cellular memory may replay on the stable yet reversible DNA modification 5 cytosine methylation (5mC). We identified DRE2 as novel component involved in removal of 5mC from a set of genes manifesting memory of parent of origin in endosperm in Arabidopsis (maternal allele becomes active via 5mC removal while paternal allele remains methylated and silent). DRE2 is a highly conserved and essential protein in eukaryotes, best known for its role in biogenesis of iron sulfur cluster cofactors in the cytosol.
Here we obtained the first viable dre2 mutant in plants and characterized novel mutant phenotypes both in the reproductive and vegetative phases. The availability of viable dre2 mutants will help uncover new processes with cellular memory dependent on iron containing factors all the way to uncovering underlying molecular mechanisms.

Research Products

• [Journal Article] Capturing environmental memory in DNA, with a little help from chromatin (2017)
  • Author(s): Diana Mihaela Buzas
  • Journal Title: plant and Cell Physiology Volume: 10 Issue: 8 Pages: 1302-1312
  • DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcx092
  • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] Emerging links between iron-sulfur clusters and 5-methylcytosine base excision repair in plants (2016)
  • Author(s): Buzas D M
  • Journal Title: Genes & Genetic Systems Volume: 91 Issue: 2 Pages: 51-62
  • DOI: 10.1266/ggs.16-00015
  • NAID: 130005421223
  • ISSN: 1341-7568, 1880-5779
  • Peer Reviewed / Acknowledgement Compliant
• [Journal Article] From the laboratory to the field: assaying histone methylation at <i>FLOWERING LOCUS C</i> in naturally growing <i>Arabidopsis halleri</i> (2016)
  • Author(s): Nishio H, Buzas DM, Nagano AJ, Suzuki Y, Sugano S, Ito M, Morinaga S, Kudoh H.
  • Journal Title: Genes & Genetic Systems Volume: 91 Issue: 1 Pages: 15-26
  • DOI: 10.1266/ggs.15-00071
  • NAID: 130005165463
  • ISSN: 1341-7568, 1880-5779
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Journal Article] From the laboratory to the field: assaying histone methylation at FLOWERING LOCUS C in naturally growing Arabidopsis halleri. (2016)
  • Author(s): Nishio H, Buzas DM, Nagano AJ, Suzuki Y, Sugano S, Ito M, Morinaga SI, Kudoh H.
  • Journal Title: Genes and Genetics Systems Volume: in press
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Presentation] Uncovering biological roles of DRE2 asa cytosolic component and beyond (2016)
  • Author(s): Diana Buzas
  • Organizer: Latest Advances in Plant Development & Environmental Response, CSHA
  • Place of Presentation: AWAJI YUMEBUTAI INTERNATIONAL CENFERENCE CENTER, AWAJI, Hyogo
  • Year and Date: 2016-11-29
  • Int'l Joint Research / Invited
• [Presentation] Epigenetic role for the conserved Fe-S cluster biogenesis protein atDRE2 in Arabidopsis thaliana (2015)
  • Author(s): Diana Buzas
  • Organizer: Epigenetic Dynamics: Roles in Development, Inheritance and responses to Environment
  • Place of Presentation: Bentley Univestity, Waltham MA US
  • Year and Date: 2015-08-02
• [Presentation] Requirements for Iron-Sulfur clusters cofactors in DNA demethylation (2015)
  • Author(s): Diana Buzas
  • Organizer: A consortium of plant epigeneticsts in Japan- first meeting
  • Place of Presentation: NIG Mishima, Shizuoka, Japan
  • Year and Date: 2015-07-29
  • Invited