PAG XXIII ABSTRACT_2015
H3K4ME3 AND H3K9AC HISTONE MODIFICATIONS & LEAF AGING in
ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA
Judy A Brusslan*1., Giancarlo Bonora*2., Ana M Rus-Canterbury1., Fayha Tariq1., Artur
Jaroszewicz2. and Matteo Pellegrini2.
1.
Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, 1250
Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840-9502
2.
Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los
Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095
*The first two authors contributed equally to this work.
H3K4me3 and H3K9ac histone marks and gene expression were respectively monitored by
ChIP-seq and RNA-seq in aging Arabidopsis thaliana rosette leaves. Both of these activating
marks coincided at all stages of leaf aging with twice the area covered by H3K4me3 marks
compared to H3K9ac marks. The breadth of gene coverage positively correlated with gene
expression during plant aging. H3K4me3 and H3K9ac marks were present before a large
induction of mRNA for most genes up-regulated during senescence. However, for a subset of
genes, the respective gain or loss of H3K4me3 marks were found to closely match the temporal
changes in mRNA abundance. Although approximately 15% of genes show accompanying
changes in H3K4me3 modification and gene expression, they may act as primary response genes
since numerous regulatory genes are included in this subset.