Targeted 3' processing of antisense transcripts triggers Arabidopsis FLC chromatin silencing.

Fuquan Liu, Sebastain Marquardt, Clare Lister, Szymon Swiezewski, Caroline Dean

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

258 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Noncoding RNA is emerging as an important regulator of gene expression in many organisms. We are characterizing RNA-mediated chromatin silencing of the Arabidopsis major floral repressor gene, FLC. Through suppressor mutagenesis, we identify a requirement for CstF64 and CstF77, two conserved RNA 3'-end-processing factors, in FLC silencing. However, FLC sense transcript 3' processing is not affected in the mutants. Instead, CstF64 and CstF77 are required for 3' processing of FLC antisense transcripts. A specific RNA-binding protein directs their activity to a proximal antisense polyadenylation site. This targeted processing triggers localized histone demethylase activity and results in reduced FLC sense transcription. Targeted 3' processing of antisense transcripts may be a common mechanism triggering transcriptional silencing of the corresponding sense gene.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)94-97
Number of pages4
JournalScience
Volume327
Issue number5961
Early online date03 Dec 2009
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01 Jan 2010

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General
  • Medicine(all)

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