Vernalization-Triggered Intragenic Chromatin Loop Formation by Long Noncoding RNAs

Publication date: Available online 26 January 2017
Source:Developmental Cell
Author(s): Dong-Hwan Kim, Sibum Sung
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) affect gene regulation through structural and regulatory interactions with associated proteins. The Polycomb complex often binds to lncRNAs in eukaryotes, and an lncRNA, COLDAIR, associates with Polycomb to mediate silencing of the floral repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) during the process of vernalization in Arabidopsis. Here, we identified an additional Polycomb-binding lncRNA, COLDWRAP. COLDWRAP is derived from the repressed promoter of FLC and is necessary for the establishment of the stable repressed state of FLC by vernalization. Both COLDAIR and COLDWRAP are required to form a repressive intragenic chromatin loop at the FLC locus by vernalization. Our results indicate that vernalization-mediated Polycomb silencing is coordinated by lncRNAs in a cooperative manner to form a stable repressive chromatin structure.

Graphical abstract

Teaser

Flowering control occurs in part through repression of FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC). Kim and Sung identify an FLC promoter-derived noncoding RNA (COLDWRAP) that is induced by vernalization and functions with the lncRNA COLDAIR to retain Polycomb at the FLC promoter through the formation of a repressive intragenic chromatin loop.


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