Production and processing of siRNA precursor transcripts from the highly repetitive maize genome.

Mutations affecting the maintenance of heritable epigenetic states in maize identify multiple RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) factors including RMR1, a novel member of a plant-specific clade of Snf2-related proteins. Here we show that RMR1 is necessary for the accumulation of a majority of 24 nt...

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Main Authors: Christopher J Hale, Karl F Erhard, Damon Lisch, Jay B Hollick
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2009-08-01
Series:PLoS Genetics
Online Access:http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC2725412?pdf=render
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spelling doaj-05eaeb5ddb174f4c98a72d537c940e922020-11-25T02:29:18ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS Genetics1553-73901553-74042009-08-0158e100059810.1371/journal.pgen.1000598Production and processing of siRNA precursor transcripts from the highly repetitive maize genome.Christopher J HaleKarl F ErhardDamon LischJay B HollickMutations affecting the maintenance of heritable epigenetic states in maize identify multiple RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) factors including RMR1, a novel member of a plant-specific clade of Snf2-related proteins. Here we show that RMR1 is necessary for the accumulation of a majority of 24 nt small RNAs, including those derived from Long-Terminal Repeat (LTR) retrotransposons, the most common repetitive feature in the maize genome. A genetic analysis of DNA transposon repression indicates that RMR1 acts upstream of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, RDR2 (MOP1). Surprisingly, we show that non-polyadenylated transcripts from a sampling of LTR retrotransposons are lost in both rmr1 and rdr2 mutants. In contrast, plants deficient for RNA Polymerase IV (Pol IV) function show an increase in polyadenylated LTR RNA transcripts. These findings support a model in which Pol IV functions independently of the small RNA accumulation facilitated by RMR1 and RDR2 and support that a loss of Pol IV leads to RNA Polymerase II-based transcription. Additionally, the lack of changes in general genome homeostasis in rmr1 mutants, despite the global loss of 24 nt small RNAs, challenges the perceived roles of siRNAs in maintaining functional heterochromatin in the genomes of outcrossing grass species.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC2725412?pdf=render
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Christopher J Hale
Karl F Erhard
Damon Lisch
Jay B Hollick
spellingShingle Christopher J Hale
Karl F Erhard
Damon Lisch
Jay B Hollick
Production and processing of siRNA precursor transcripts from the highly repetitive maize genome.
PLoS Genetics
author_facet Christopher J Hale
Karl F Erhard
Damon Lisch
Jay B Hollick
author_sort Christopher J Hale
title Production and processing of siRNA precursor transcripts from the highly repetitive maize genome.
title_short Production and processing of siRNA precursor transcripts from the highly repetitive maize genome.
title_full Production and processing of siRNA precursor transcripts from the highly repetitive maize genome.
title_fullStr Production and processing of siRNA precursor transcripts from the highly repetitive maize genome.
title_full_unstemmed Production and processing of siRNA precursor transcripts from the highly repetitive maize genome.
title_sort production and processing of sirna precursor transcripts from the highly repetitive maize genome.
publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
series PLoS Genetics
issn 1553-7390
1553-7404
publishDate 2009-08-01
description Mutations affecting the maintenance of heritable epigenetic states in maize identify multiple RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) factors including RMR1, a novel member of a plant-specific clade of Snf2-related proteins. Here we show that RMR1 is necessary for the accumulation of a majority of 24 nt small RNAs, including those derived from Long-Terminal Repeat (LTR) retrotransposons, the most common repetitive feature in the maize genome. A genetic analysis of DNA transposon repression indicates that RMR1 acts upstream of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, RDR2 (MOP1). Surprisingly, we show that non-polyadenylated transcripts from a sampling of LTR retrotransposons are lost in both rmr1 and rdr2 mutants. In contrast, plants deficient for RNA Polymerase IV (Pol IV) function show an increase in polyadenylated LTR RNA transcripts. These findings support a model in which Pol IV functions independently of the small RNA accumulation facilitated by RMR1 and RDR2 and support that a loss of Pol IV leads to RNA Polymerase II-based transcription. Additionally, the lack of changes in general genome homeostasis in rmr1 mutants, despite the global loss of 24 nt small RNAs, challenges the perceived roles of siRNAs in maintaining functional heterochromatin in the genomes of outcrossing grass species.
url http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC2725412?pdf=render
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