MSI4/FVE is required for accumulation of 24‐nt siRNAs and DNA methylation at a subset of target regions of RNA‐directed DNA methylation. (21st August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huang, Pei; Huang, Huan; Lin, Xueqiang; Liu, Pan; Zhao, Lun; Nie, Wen‐Feng; Zhu, Jian‐Kang; Lang, Zhaobo
• Is Part Of: Plant journal. Volume 108:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 347
• Page End: 357
• Publication Date: 2021-08-21
• Subjects: DNA methylation -- RNA‐directed DNA methylation -- small RNAs -- WD40 -- FVE/MSI4; Plant molecular biology -- Periodicals; Plant cells and tissues -- Periodicals; Botany -- Periodicals; 580
• DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15441
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-7412

Abstract

SUMMARY: DNA methylation is an important epigenetic mark. In plants, de novo DNA methylation occurs mainly through the RNA‐directed DNA methylation (RdDM) pathway. Researchers have previously inferred that a flowering regulator, MULTICOPY SUPPRESSOR OF IRA1 4 (MSI4)/FVE, is involved in non‐CG methylation at several RdDM targets, suggesting a role of FVE in RdDM. However, whether and how FVE affects RdDM genome‐wide is not known. Here, we report that FVE is required for DNA methylation at thousands of RdDM target regions. In addition, dysfunction of FVE significantly reduces 24‐nucleotide siRNA accumulation that is dependent on factors downstream in the RdDM pathway. By using chromatin immunoprecipitation and sequencing (ChIP‐seq), we show that FVE directly binds to FVE‐dependent 24‐nucleotide siRNA cluster regions. Our results also indicate that FVE may function in RdDM by physically interacting with RDM15, a downstream factor in the RdDM pathway. Our study has therefore revealed that FVE, by associating with RDM15, directly regulates DNA methylation and siRNA accumulation at a subset of RdDM targets. Significance Statement: The RNA‐directed DNA methylation (RdDM) pathway is one of the most important DNA methylation pathways in plants. In this manuscript, we show that FVE is required for DNA methylation and for 24‐nucleotide siRNA accumulation at a subset of RdDM targets. Moreover, FVE physically interacts with RDM15 and shares DNA methylation targets with RDM15 in the genome. Our results support the notion that FVE functions in RdDM, particularly in RNA polymerase V‐mediated downstream step.