The Paf1 complex is required for histone H3 methylation by COMPASS and Dot1p: linking transcriptional elongation to histone methylation

Mol Cell. 2003 Mar;11(3):721-9. doi: 10.1016/s1097-2765(03)00091-1.

Abstract

Methylation of histone proteins is one of their many modifications that affect chromatin structure and regulate gene expression. Methylation of histone H3 on lysines 4 and 79, catalyzed by the Set1-containing complex COMPASS and Dot1p, respectively, is required for silencing of expression of genes located near chromosome telomeres in yeast. We report that the Paf1 protein complex, which is associated with the elongating RNA polymerase II, is required for methylation of lysines 4 and 79 of histone H3 and for silencing of expression of a telomere-associated gene. We show that the Paf1 complex is required for recruitment of the COMPASS methyltransferase to RNA polymerase II and that the subunits of these complexes interact physically and genetically. Collectively, our results suggest that the Paf1 complex is required for histone H3 methylation, therefore linking transcriptional elongation to chromatin methylation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Blotting, Western
  • Chromatin / metabolism
  • DNA Methylation
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Gene Silencing
  • Genome, Fungal*
  • Histone Methyltransferases
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase*
  • Histones / metabolism*
  • Lysine / chemistry
  • Methylation
  • Methyltransferases / chemistry
  • Methyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Models, Genetic
  • Mutation
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Precipitin Tests
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Methyltransferases
  • Proteome
  • RNA Polymerase II / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism*
  • Telomere / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic*

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Histones
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • PAF1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Proteome
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Histone Methyltransferases
  • Methyltransferases
  • Protein Methyltransferases
  • Dot1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase
  • SET1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • RNA Polymerase II
  • Lysine