Histone modification-mediated control of defense-related gene expression in plant immunity

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26291062
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Plant molecular biology/Plant physiology
• Research Institution: Nara Institute of Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: Saijo Yusuke 奈良先端科学技術大学院大学, バイオサイエンス研究科, 准教授 (50587764)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 遺伝子発現制御 / ヒストン修飾 / エピジェネティクス / 植物免疫

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Following immune activation, defense-related genes become sensitized to second elicitation throughout the plant, termed defense priming. We show that transcription-permissive histone H3 tri-methylation at the 4th Lysine (H3K4me3) and transcription-repressive H3K27me3 both contribute to defense priming in Arabidopsis thaliana. Our RNA-seq analysis has revealed a genome-wide inventory of priming target genes, including those dependent on PRC2 that mediates H3K27me3. We have obtained and been currently analyzing chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-seq profiles with H3K4me3- and H3K27me3-specific antibodies. This is expected to reveal genome-wide dynamics of these histone modifications during and after the establishment of defense priming. Together, our studies have for the first time revealed a critical role for both H3K4me3 and H3K27me3, together with their target genes and modification dynamics, in defense priming of plants.

Free Research Field

植物微生物相互作用、植物分子遺伝学