A SWI/SNF Chromatin Remodelling Protein Controls Cytokinin Production through the Regulation of Chromatin Architecture

PLoS One. 2015 Oct 12;10(10):e0138276. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138276. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Chromatin architecture determines transcriptional accessibility to DNA and consequently gene expression levels in response to developmental and environmental stimuli. Recently, chromatin remodelers such as SWI/SNF complexes have been recognized as key regulators of chromatin architecture. To gain insight into the function of these complexes during root development, we have analyzed Arabidopsis knock-down lines for one sub-unit of SWI/SNF complexes: BAF60. Here, we show that BAF60 is a positive regulator of root development and cell cycle progression in the root meristem via its ability to down-regulate cytokinin production. By opposing both the deposition of active histone marks and the formation of a chromatin regulatory loop, BAF60 negatively regulates two crucial target genes for cytokinin biosynthesis (IPT3 and IPT7) and one cell cycle inhibitor (KRP7). Our results demonstrate that SWI/SNF complexes containing BAF60 are key factors governing the equilibrium between formation and dissociation of a chromatin loop controlling phytohormone production and cell cycle progression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkyl and Aryl Transferases / metabolism
  • Arabidopsis / cytology
  • Arabidopsis / genetics
  • Arabidopsis / growth & development
  • Arabidopsis / metabolism
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism*
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Cycle
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Chromatin / genetics*
  • Chromatin / metabolism
  • Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly*
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / metabolism*
  • Cytokinins / biosynthesis*
  • DNA, Plant / genetics
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Genetic Loci / genetics
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Meristem / growth & development

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Chromatin
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
  • Cytokinins
  • DNA, Plant
  • Histones
  • KRP7 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Alkyl and Aryl Transferases
  • adenylate isopentenyltransferase

Grants and funding

This work was funded by LABEX Saclay Plant Sciences. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.