MORC Proteins Regulate Transcription Factor Binding by Mediating Chromatin Compaction in Active Chromatin Regions

Overview

Journal Genome Biol

Specialties Biology
Genetics

Date 2023 Apr 26

PMID 37101218

Authors

Zhenhui Zhong

Yan Xue

C Jake Harris

Ming Wang

Zheng Li

Yunqing Ke

Mukun Liu

Jessica Zhou

Yasaman Jami-Alahmadi

Suhua Feng

James A Wohlschlegel

Steven E Jacobsen

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: The microrchidia (MORC) proteins are a family of evolutionarily conserved GHKL-type ATPases involved in chromatin compaction and gene silencing. Arabidopsis MORC proteins act in the RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) pathway, where they act as molecular tethers to ensure the efficient establishment of RdDM and de novo gene silencing. However, MORC proteins also have RdDM-independent functions although their underlying mechanisms are unknown.

Results: In this study, we examine MORC binding regions where RdDM does not occur in order to shed light on the RdDM-independent functions of MORC proteins. We find that MORC proteins compact chromatin and reduce DNA accessibility to transcription factors, thereby repressing gene expression. We also find that MORC-mediated repression of gene expression is particularly important under conditions of stress. MORC-regulated transcription factors can in some cases regulate their own transcription, resulting in feedback loops.

Conclusions: Our findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of MORC-mediated chromatin compaction and transcription regulation.

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