Reestablishment of epigenetic patterns of histone modification after DNA replication and chromatin assembly in S. cerevisiae

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DNA in the eukaryotic nucleus is packaged into a complex nucleoprotein structure called chromatin. Depending on the function of individual regions in the genome, the histone components of the chromatin carry different types of posttranslational (epigenetic) modifications that dictate the ability of other proteins to bind to chromatin and modulate its function. This raises the question how this structure is duplicated when cells divide. The duplication entails copying not only the primary DNA sequence, but also the compaction into chromatin as well as the epigenetic imprints. In this project, we will investigate the fate of epigenetic modifications during DNA replication and chromatin assembly using the yeast S. cerevisiae as a model organism. We will determine which modification patterns correlate with histone deposition, how soon modification patterns are adjusted to the original pattern after replication, and whether chromatin assembly factors are involved in this process. Furthermore, we will investigate whether the establishment of local differences in modification is coupled to DNA replication and chromatin assembly, or whether they are formed independently. This information will be crucial to understand how the offspring is genetically as well as epigenetically identical to the parent. Disturbance of epigenetic programming can lead to the disregulation of cellular expression and thus can cause disease.