Progressive methylation of aging histones by Dot1 acts as a timer.

D.L. de Vos, F. Frederiks, M. Terweij, T van Welsem, K.F. Verzijlbergen, E. Iachina, E.L. de Graaf, A.F.M. Altelaar, G. Oudgenoeg, A.J.R. Heck, J. Krijgsveld, B.M. Bakker, F van Leeuwen

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Post-translational modifications of histone proteins have a crucial role in regulating gene expression. If efficiently re-established after chromosome duplication, histone modifications could help propagate gene expression patterns in dividing cells by epigenetic mechanisms. We used an integrated approach to investigate the dynamics of the conserved methylation of histone H3 Lys 79 (H3K79) by Dot1. Our results show that methylation of H3K79 progressively changes after histone deposition, which is incompatible with a rapid copy mechanism. Instead, methylation accumulates on ageing histones, providing the cell with a timer mechanism to directly couple cell-cycle length to changes in chromatin modification on the nucleosome core. © 2011 European Molecular Biology Organization.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)956-962
JournalEMBO Reports
Volume12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011

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