Dynamic regulatory interactions of Polycomb group genes: MEDEA autoregulation is required for imprinted gene expression in Arabidopsis
FIS genesAbstract
The imprinted Arabidopsis Polycomb group (PcG) gene MEDEA (MEA), which is homologous to Enhancer of Zeste [E(Z)], is maternally required for normal seed development. Here we show that, unlike known mammalian imprinted genes, MEA regulates its own imprinted expression: It down-regulates the maternal allele around fertilization and maintains the paternal allele silent later during seed development. Autorepression of the maternal MEA allele is direct and independent of the MEA–FIE (FERTILIZATION-INDEPENDENT ENDOSPERM) PcG complex, which is similar to the E(Z)–ESC (Extra sex combs) complex of animals, suggesting a novel mechanism. A complex network of cross-regulatory interactions among the other known members of the MEA–FIE PcG complex implies distinct functions that are dynamically regulated during reproduction.
Footnotes
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↵3 Corresponding author.
↵3 E-MAIL grossnik{at}botinst.unizh.ch; FAX 41-(0)44-634-82-04.
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Supplemental material is available at http://www.genesdev.org.
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Article and publication are at http://www.genesdev.org/cgi/doi/10.1101/gad.378106
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- Received December 29, 2005.
- Accepted February 23, 2006.
- Copyright © 2006, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press