Characterization of the Drosophila melanogaster genome at the nuclear lamina

Nat Genet. 2006 Sep;38(9):1005-14. doi: 10.1038/ng1852. Epub 2006 Jul 30.

Abstract

The nuclear lamina binds chromatin in vitro and is thought to function in its organization, but genes that interact with it are unknown. Using an in vivo approach, we identified approximately 500 Drosophila melanogaster genes that interact with B-type lamin (Lam). These genes are transcriptionally silent and late replicating, lack active histone marks and are widely spaced. These factors collectively predict lamin binding behavior, indicating that the nuclear lamina integrates variant and invariant chromatin features. Consistently, proximity of genomic regions to the nuclear lamina is partly conserved between cell types, and induction of gene expression or active histone marks reduces Lam binding. Lam target genes cluster in the genome, and these clusters are coordinately expressed during development. This genome-wide analysis gives clear insight into the nature and dynamic behavior of the genome at the nuclear lamina, and implies that intergenic DNA functions in the global organization of chromatin in the nucleus.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
  • Chromosomes
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Drosophila melanogaster / cytology
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / metabolism
  • Electroporation
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Genome, Insect*
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Lamins / genetics
  • Lamins / metabolism
  • Models, Genetic
  • Nuclear Lamina / genetics*
  • Plasmids
  • Protein Binding

Substances

  • Lamins

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE5089