Epigenetic Modifications of the Centromeric Chromatin in Rice

着丝粒是染色体的区域，控制着染色体的分离和代代相传。在一些模式物种中已经很好地证明了着丝粒在染色体上位置的建立和维持是由着丝粒DNA和/或着丝粒蛋白的表观遗传修饰决定的。表观遗传修饰改变了DNA的行为，但实际上并不改变DNA序列本身。尽管对着丝粒功能至关重要，但关于哪些表观遗传修饰是关键的，以及是否有任何修饰是构成着丝粒染色质的DNA、RNA和蛋白质的复合体所特有的，人们知之甚少。利用水稻作为模型和方法，包括染色质免疫沉淀和DNA测序，该项目将揭示与着丝粒染色质相关的表观遗传标记的位置，如胞嘧啶DNA甲基化和组蛋白修饰。该项目产生的信息还将提供着丝粒DNA与着丝粒区域以外的DNA相比的潜在转录水平的信息。更广泛的影响：该项目的人员将参与为植物基因组研究界教授一年一度的植物细胞遗传学培训讲习班。这个研讨会提供了几种分子细胞遗传学技术的实践培训。该项目还将为少数民族本科生和地区高中生提供暑期研究培训。该项目的结果将对未来可用于改进农业实践的技术开发产生影响。

The centromere is the domain of a chromosome that governs the segregation and transmission of the chromosome from generation to generation. It has been well demonstrated in several model species that the establishment and maintenance of the centromere in its location on a chromosome is determined by epigenetic modifications of centromeric DNA and/or centromeric proteins. Epigenetic modifications change the behavior of DNA without actually changing the DNA sequence itself. Although vitally important for centromere function, little is known about which epigenetic modifications are critical and whether any are specific to the complex of DNA, RNA and protein that makes up centromeric chromatin. Using rice as a model and approaches that include chromatin immunoprecipitation and DNA sequencing, this project will reveal the location of epigenetic marks, such as cytosine DNA methylation and histone modifications, associated with centromeric chromatin. The information generated from this project will also provide information about the potential levels of transcription associated with centromeric DNA compared with DNA located outside the centromere region. Broader Impacts: The personnel of this project will be involved in teaching an annual Plant Cytogenetics Training Workshop for the plant genome research community. This workshop provides hands-on training in several molecular cytogenetic techniques. This project will also provide summer research training for minority undergraduate students along with area high school students. The results of this project will have an impact on future technology development that can be used to improve agricultural practices.