RNA-mediated trans-communication can establish paramutation at the b1 locus in maize.

ABSTRACT: Paramutation is the epigenetic transfer of information between alleles that leads to the heritable change of expression of one allele. Paramutation at the b1 locus in maize requires seven noncoding tandem repeat (b1TR) sequences located approximately 100 kb upstream of the transcription start site of b1, and mutations in several genes required for paramutation implicate an RNA-mediated mechanism. The mediator of paramutation (mop1) gene, which encodes a protein closely related to RNA-dependent RNA polymerases, is absolutely required for paramutation. Herein, we investigate the potential function of mop1 and the siRNAs that are produced from the b1TR sequences. Production of siRNAs from the b1TR sequences depends on a functional mop1 gene, but transcription of the repeats is not dependent o

SUBMITTER: Arteaga-Vazquez M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2919911 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature