2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report
Role of a novel DNA demethylation enzyme in cellular memory
| Project/Area Number |
15K18558
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
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| Allocation Type | Multi-year Fund |
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| Research Field |
Plant molecular biology/Plant physiology
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| Research Institution | University of Tsukuba |
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Principal Investigator |
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| Project Period (FY) |
2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
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| Keywords | DNA demethylation |
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| 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.
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| Free Research Field |
Epigenetics
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