E2f6 and Mga transcription factors link polycomb repressive complex PRC1.6 to methylation of CpG islands [E2f6 knockout]

ABSTRACT: We explored the effect of E2f6 knock out on gene expression in mouse ESCs. Our data identified E2f6 as repressor of germ cell genes. Abstract: The non-canonical polycomb repressive complex PRC1.6 is characterized by the specific DNA binding s ubunits E2f6/Dp1 and Mga/Max. Focusing on DNA targeting of PRC1.6 we investigate the functional role of PRC1.6 in mouse embryonic stem cells (ES). Here we show that PRC1.6 is essential for the transcriptional repression of only a small subset of its genomic targets that are characterized by E2F sites and E boxes, germ cell specific expression, methylated CpG islands (CGIs) and DNA methylation dependent silencing in somatic cells. PRC1.6 recruitment to its essential target genes depends on E2F6 and Mga subunits. However, PRC1.6 recruitment is itself not sufficient to induce repression and CGI methylation; instead, it precludes the DNA binding of transcriptional activators. Our results indicate that PRC1.6 plays an essential role in installing permanent epigenetic repression of germ cell genes through methylation of CGI islands and contributes to the suppression of the germ cell program in undifferentiated ES cells. Overall design: Effect of E2f6 knockout on gene expression in mouse ESCs was examined.

INSTRUMENT(S): [Mouse430_2] Affymetrix Mouse Genome 430 2.0 Array

ORGANISM(S): Mus Musculus

SUBMITTER: Matthias Truss  

PROVIDER: GSE81631 | GEO | 2020-01-01

REPOSITORIES: GEO