PRDM9 Methyltransferase Activity Is Essential for Meiotic DNA Double-Strand Break Formation at Its Binding Sites

Mol Cell. 2018 Mar 1;69(5):853-865.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2018.01.033. Epub 2018 Feb 22.

Abstract

The programmed formation of hundreds of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) is essential for proper meiosis and fertility. In mice and humans, the location of these breaks is determined by the meiosis-specific protein PRDM9, through the DNA-binding specificity of its zinc-finger domain. PRDM9 also has methyltransferase activity. Here, we show that this activity is required for H3K4me3 and H3K36me3 deposition and for DSB formation at PRDM9-binding sites. By analyzing mice that express two PRDM9 variants with distinct DNA-binding specificities, we show that each variant generates its own set of H3K4me3 marks independently from the other variant. Altogether, we reveal several basic principles of PRDM9-dependent DSB site determination, in which an excess of sites are designated through PRDM9 binding and subsequent histone methylation, from which a subset is selected for DSB formation.

Keywords: DMC1; DNA double-strand break; H3K36me3; H3K4me3; PRDM9; chromatin; histone methylation; homologous recombination; meiosis; recombination hotspot.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded*
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase / genetics
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase / metabolism*
  • Histones / genetics
  • Histones / metabolism*
  • Meiosis / physiology*
  • Methylation
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Protein Domains

Substances

  • Histones
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase
  • prdm9 protein, mouse