Abstract:
Epigenetic research focuses on heritable changes beyond the DNA sequence, which has led to a revolution in biological studies and benefits in many other fields. The well-known model ciliate,
Tetrahymena thermophila offers a unique system for epigenetic studies due to its nuclear dimorphism and special mode of sexual reproduction (conjugation), as well as abundant genomic resources and genetic tools. In this paper, we summarize recent progress made by our research team and collaborators in understanding epigenetic mechanisms using
Tetrahymena. This includes: (1) providing the first genome-wide base pair-resolution map of DNA N
6-methyladenine (6mA) and revealed it as an integral part of the chromatin landscape; (2) dissecting the relative contribution of
cis- and
trans- elements to nucleosome distribution by exploring the unique nuclear dimorphism of
Tetrahymena; (3) demonstrating the epigenetic controls of RNAi-dependent
Polycomb repression pathways on transposable elements, and (4) identifying a new histone monomethyltransferase, TXR1 (
Tetrahymena Trithorax 1), that facilitates replication elongation through its substrate histone H3 lysine 27 monomethylation (H3K27me1).