Project description:Polycomb group (PcG) proteins dynamically define cellular identities through epigenetic repression of key developmental genes. PcG target gene repression can be stabilized through the interaction in the nucleus at PcG foci. Here, we report the results of a high-resolution microscopy genome-wide RNAi screen that identifies 129 genes that regulate the nuclear organization of Pc foci. Candidate genes include PcG components and chromatin factors, as well as many novel protein-modifying enzymes, including components of the SUMOylation pathway. In the absence of SUMO Pc foci coagulate into larger aggregates. Conversely, loss of function of the SUMO peptidase velo disperses Pc foci. Moreover, SUMO and velo colocalize with PcG proteins at PREs and Pc SUMOylation affects its chromatin targeting, suggesting that the dynamic regulation of Pc SUMOylation regulates PcG-mediated silencing by modulating the kinetics of Pc binding to chromatin as well as its ability to form Polycomb foci. ChIP-Seq mapping of Polycomb (PC), SUMO and Velo on Drosophila Melanogaster
Project description:Polycomb group (PcG) proteins dynamically define cellular identities through epigenetic repression of key developmental genes. PcG target gene repression can be stabilized through the interaction in the nucleus at PcG foci. Here, we report the results of a high-resolution microscopy genome-wide RNAi screen that identifies 129 genes that regulate the nuclear organization of Pc foci. Candidate genes include PcG components and chromatin factors, as well as many novel protein-modifying enzymes, including components of the SUMOylation pathway. In the absence of SUMO Pc foci coagulate into larger aggregates. Conversely, loss of function of the SUMO peptidase velo disperses Pc foci. Moreover, SUMO and velo colocalize with PcG proteins at PREs and Pc SUMOylation affects its chromatin targeting, suggesting that the dynamic regulation of Pc SUMOylation regulates PcG-mediated silencing by modulating the kinetics of Pc binding to chromatin as well as its ability to form Polycomb foci.
Project description:B16F1 cells are a good model to study cell motility and cytoskeletal organization. In our lab, a combination of microscopy and gene silencing was used to approach the problem. Having gene expression profiles for B16F1 would facilitate and support subsequent gene silencing by RNAi as well as potentially identify new molecular players. We used microarrays to detail the expression profiles in cells cultured in regular conditions. These profile will serve as a reference point for further studies. Experiment Overall Design: Three biological replicats of control untreated B16F1 mouse melanoma cells were processed on mouse GeneChip arrays 430A. Reliability, variability, and reprodusibility of data generated by microarrays were addressed.
Project description:Drosophila Haspin kinase phosphorylates Histone H3 at threonine 3 at centromeric heterochromatin and either lamin- or polycomb-enriched euchromatic regions, being required for nuclear organization of interphase cells and polycomb-dependent gene silencing.
Project description:Mammalian Rif1 defines the architecture of replication-timing domains interactions through the three-dimensional organization of the nuclear volume. Deletion of RIf1 in mammalian cells causes an initial alteration of three-dimensional chromatin organization which impacts first on replication timing and genome stability, but has long-term indirect repercussions also on gene expression.
Project description:Mammalian Rif1 defines the architecture of replication-timing domains interactions through the three-dimensional organization of the nuclear volume. Deletion of RIf1 in mammalian cells causes an initial alteration of three-dimensional chromatin organization which impacts first on replication timing and genome stability, but has long-term indirect repercussions also on gene expression.
