Locus-specific paramutation in Zea mays is maintained by a PICKLE-like chromodomain helicase DNA-binding 3 protein controlling development and male gametophyte function.

ABSTRACT: Paramutations represent directed and meiotically-heritable changes in gene regulation leading to apparent violations of Mendelian inheritance. Although the mechanism and evolutionary importance of paramutation behaviors remain largely unknown, genetic screens in maize (Zea mays) identify five components affecting 24 nucleotide RNA biogenesis as required to maintain repression of a paramutant purple plant1 (pl1) allele. Currently, the RNA polymerase IV largest subunit represents the only component also specifying proper development. Here we identify a chromodomain helicase DNA-binding 3 (CHD3) protein orthologous to Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) PICKLE as another component maintaining both pl1 paramutation and normal somatic development but without affecting overall small RNA biogenesi

SUBMITTER: Deans NC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7837471 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature