Ezh2 harnesses the intranuclear actin cytoskeleton to remodel chromatin in differentiating Th cells.

ABSTRACT: Following their first interaction with the antigen, quiescent naive T-helper (Th; CD4⁺) cells enlarge, differentiate, and proliferate; these processes are accompanied by substantial epigenetic alterations. We showed previously that the epigenetic regulators the polycomb-group (PcG) proteins have a dual function as both positive and negative transcriptional regulators; however, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that during Th cell differentiation the methyltransferase activity of the PcG protein Ezh2 regulates post-transcriptionally inducible assembly of intranuclear actin filaments. These filaments are colocalized with the actin regulators Vav1 and WASp, vertically oriented to the T cell receptor, and intermingle with the chromatin fibers.

SUBMITTER: Titelbaum M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8479699 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature