RNA interference machinery influences the nuclear organization of a chromatin insulator

Nat Genet. 2006 Aug;38(8):936-41. doi: 10.1038/ng1850. Epub 2006 Jul 23.

Abstract

RNA interference (RNAi) is a conserved silencing mechanism that can act through alteration of chromatin structure. Chromatin insulators promote higher-order nuclear organization, thereby establishing DNA domains subject to distinct transcriptional controls. We present evidence for a functional relationship between RNAi and the gypsy insulator of D. melanogaster. Insulator activity is decreased when Argonaute genes required for RNAi are mutated, and insulator function is improved when the levels of the Rm62 helicase, involved in double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-mediated silencing and heterochromatin formation, are reduced. Rm62 interacts physically with the DNA-binding insulator protein CP190 in an RNA-dependent manner. Finally, reduction of Rm62 levels results in marked nuclear reorganization of a compromised insulator. These results suggest that the RNAi machinery acts as a modulator of nuclear architecture capable of effecting global changes in gene expression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Nucleus / genetics
  • Chromatin / genetics*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics*
  • Female
  • Genes, Insect
  • Insulator Elements*
  • Models, Genetic
  • Mutation
  • RNA Interference*
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / genetics

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • mdg4 protein (gypsy)