Analysis of chromatin modifications at Dmef-2 enhancer during myogenesis
Disciplines
Genetics | Genomics | Molecular Genetics
Abstract (300 words maximum)
The nuclear transcription cofactor Akirin plays a key role in the regulation of Dmef2 (Drosophila myocyte enhancer factor 2) during the early steps of embryonic myogenesis. Akirin is thought to help regulate Dmef2 expression levels by mediating an association between chromatin remodeling complexes and Twist transcription factor activity. Previous work by the Nowak laboratory has determined that Akirin genetically and physically interacts with either the Brahma (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complex, or through genetic interactions with the Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase Complex. These interactions are essential for proper cardiac and skeletal patterning and development during embryogenesis. While both complexes have seemingly contradictory activities, the exact nature of covalent histone modifications that occur at Dmef2 enhancers during myogenesis remains unknown. Using a variety of antibodies targeting various covalent histone modifications in chromatin immunoprecipitation we have begun an analysis of chromatin modifications that occur at the Dmef2 enhancers during early, mid, and late embryonic myogenesis in both wild-type and akirin mutant backgrounds. Our results indicate that the histone modification landscape at the Dmef2 enhancer is highly varied in akirin mutant backgrounds, which supports previous studies indicating that recruitment of chromatin remodeling complexes to these loci during myogenesis is key for their proper expression levels.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CSM - Molecular and Cellular Biology
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Scott Nowak
Analysis of chromatin modifications at Dmef-2 enhancer during myogenesis
The nuclear transcription cofactor Akirin plays a key role in the regulation of Dmef2 (Drosophila myocyte enhancer factor 2) during the early steps of embryonic myogenesis. Akirin is thought to help regulate Dmef2 expression levels by mediating an association between chromatin remodeling complexes and Twist transcription factor activity. Previous work by the Nowak laboratory has determined that Akirin genetically and physically interacts with either the Brahma (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complex, or through genetic interactions with the Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase Complex. These interactions are essential for proper cardiac and skeletal patterning and development during embryogenesis. While both complexes have seemingly contradictory activities, the exact nature of covalent histone modifications that occur at Dmef2 enhancers during myogenesis remains unknown. Using a variety of antibodies targeting various covalent histone modifications in chromatin immunoprecipitation we have begun an analysis of chromatin modifications that occur at the Dmef2 enhancers during early, mid, and late embryonic myogenesis in both wild-type and akirin mutant backgrounds. Our results indicate that the histone modification landscape at the Dmef2 enhancer is highly varied in akirin mutant backgrounds, which supports previous studies indicating that recruitment of chromatin remodeling complexes to these loci during myogenesis is key for their proper expression levels.