MeCP2 interacts with HP1 and modulates its heterochromatin association during myogenic differentiation

Nucleic Acids Res. 2007;35(16):5402-8. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkm599. Epub 2007 Aug 13.

Abstract

There is increasing evidence of crosstalk between epigenetic modifications such as histone and DNA methylation, recognized by HP1 and methyl CpG-binding proteins, respectively. We have previously shown that the level of methyl CpG-binding proteins increased dramatically during myogenesis leading to large-scale heterochromatin reorganization. In this work, we show that the level of HP1 isoforms did not change significantly throughout myogenic differentiation but their localization did. In particular, HP1gamma relocalization to heterochromatin correlated with MeCP2 presence. Using co-immunoprecipitation assays, we found that these heterochromatic factors interact in vivo via the chromo shadow domain of HP1 and the first 55 amino acids of MeCP2. We propose that this dynamic interaction of HP1 and MeCP2 increases their concentration at heterochromatin linking two major gene silencing pathways to stabilize transcriptional repression during differentiation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Line
  • Chromobox Protein Homolog 5
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / chemistry
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / metabolism*
  • Heterochromatin / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 / chemistry
  • Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Muscle Development
  • Myoblasts / cytology
  • Myoblasts / metabolism*
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Rats

Substances

  • CBX3 protein, human
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
  • Heterochromatin
  • Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Chromobox Protein Homolog 5