Contribution of the epigenetic mark H3K27me3 to functional divergence after whole genome duplication in Arabidopsis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Following gene duplication, retained paralogs undergo functional divergence, which is reflected in changes in DNA sequence and expression patterns. The extent of divergence is influenced by several factors, including protein function. We examine whether an epigenetic modification, trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27me3), could be a factor in the evolution of expression patterns after gene duplication. Whereas in animals this repressive mark for transcription is deposited on long regions of DNA, in plants its localization is gene-specific. Because of this and a well-annotated recent whole-genome duplication, Arabidopsis thaliana is uniquely suited for studying the potential association of H3K27me3 with the evolutionary fate of genes.

Results

Paralogous

SUBMITTER: Berke L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3491422 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature