The SAM domain-containing protein 1 (SAMD1) acts as a repressive chromatin regulator at unmethylated CpG islands

ABSTRACT: CpG-islands (CGIs) are key regulatory DNA elements at most promoters, but how they influence the chromatin status and transcription remains elusive. Here we identify and characterize SAMD1 (SAM domain-containing protein 1) as an unmethylated CGI-binding protein. SAMD1 possesses an atypical winged-helix domain that directly recognizes unmethylated CpG-containing DNA via simultaneous interactions with both the major and the minor groove. The SAM domain interacts with L3MBTL3, but it can also homopolymerize into a closed pentameric ring. At a genome-wide level, SAMD1 localizes to H3K4me3-decorated CGIs, where it acts as a repressor. SAMD1 tethers L3MBTL3 to chromatin and interacts with the KDM1A histone demethylase complex to modulate H3K4me2 and H3K4me3 levels at CGIs, thereby providing a mechanism for SAMD1-mediated transcriptional repression. Absence of SAMD1 impairs ES cell differentiation processes, leading to mis-regulation of key biological pathways. Together, our work establishes SAMD1 as a novel chromatin regulator acting at unmethylated CGIs.

INSTRUMENT(S): LTQ Orbitrap Elite

ORGANISM(S): Homo Sapiens (human)

TISSUE(S): Permanent Cell Line Cell

SUBMITTER: Robert Liefke  

LAB HEAD: Robert Liefke

PROVIDER: PXD016781 | Pride | 2021-05-13

REPOSITORIES: Pride