Myb-domain protein Teb1 controls histone levels and centromere assembly in fission yeast

EMBO J. 2013 Feb 6;32(3):450-60. doi: 10.1038/emboj.2012.339. Epub 2013 Jan 11.

Abstract

The TTAGGG motif is common to two seemingly unrelated dimensions of chromatin function-the vertebrate telomere repeat and the promoter regions of many Schizosaccharomyces pombe genes, including all of those encoding canonical histones. The essential S. pombe protein Teb1 contains two Myb-like DNA binding domains related to those found in telomere proteins and binds the human telomere repeat sequence TTAGGG. Here, we analyse Teb1 binding throughout the genome and the consequences of reduced Teb1 function. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-on-chip analysis reveals robust Teb1 binding at many promoters, notably including all of those controlling canonical histone gene expression. A hypomorphic allele, teb1-1, confers reduced binding and reduced levels of histone transcripts. Prompted by previously suggested connections between histone expression and centromere identity, we examined localization of the centromeric histone H3 variant Cnp1 and found reduced centromeric binding along with reduced centromeric silencing. These data identify Teb1 as a master regulator of histone levels and centromere identity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blotting, Southern
  • Blotting, Western
  • Centromere / metabolism
  • Centromere / physiology*
  • Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / metabolism
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal / physiology*
  • Histones / metabolism*
  • Microarray Analysis
  • Mutagenesis
  • Schizosaccharomyces / physiology*
  • Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins / metabolism*
  • Telomere / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
  • Cnp1 protein, S pombe
  • DNA Primers
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Histones
  • Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins
  • Teb1 protein, S pombe
  • Transcription Factors