In vivo mapping of arabidopsis scaffold/matrix attachment regions reveals link to nucleosome-disfavoring poly(dA:dT) tracts

Plant Cell. 2014 Jan;26(1):102-20. doi: 10.1105/tpc.113.121194. Epub 2014 Jan 31.

Abstract

Scaffold or matrix attachment regions (S/MARs) are found in all eukaryotes. The pattern of distribution and genomic context of S/MARs is thought to be important for processes such as chromatin organization and modulation of gene expression. Despite the importance of such processes, much is unknown about the large-scale distribution and sequence content of S/MARs in vivo. Here, we report the use of tiling microarrays to map 1358 S/MARs on Arabidopsis thaliana chromosome 4 (chr4). S/MARs occur throughout chr4, spaced much more closely than in the large plant and animal genomes that have been studied to date. Arabidopsis S/MARs can be divided into five clusters based on their association with other genomic features, suggesting a diversity of functions. While some Arabidopsis S/MARs may define structural domains, most occur near the transcription start sites of genes. Genes associated with these S/MARs have an increased probability of expression, which is particularly pronounced in the case of transcription factor genes. Analysis of sequence motifs and 6-mer enrichment patterns show that S/MARs are preferentially enriched in poly(dA:dT) tracts, sequences that resist nucleosome formation, and the majority of S/MARs contain at least one nucleosome-depleted region. This global view of S/MARs provides a framework to begin evaluating genome-scale models for S/MAR function.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / genetics*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / physiology*
  • Chromatin / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
  • Matrix Attachment Regions*
  • Nucleosomes / metabolism*
  • Nucleotide Motifs
  • Poly dA-dT / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / physiology*

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Chromatin
  • Nucleosomes
  • Transcription Factors
  • Poly dA-dT