Pluto Bioinformatics

GSE99924: 4sU-seq analysis of Xist-mediated chromosomal silencing

Bulk RNA sequencing

The Polycomb repressive complexes PRC1 and PRC2 play a key role in chromosome silencing by Xist RNA. Previously we have shown that initation of Polycomb recruitment is mediated by the PCGF3/5-PRC1 complex, which catalyses chromosome-wide H2A ubiquitylation (H2AK119u1), signalling recruitment of other PRC1 complexes, and PRC2. However, the molecular basis for PCGF3/5-PRC1 recruitment by Xist RNA remains unknown. Here we define the Xist RNA Polycomb Interaction Domain (XR-PID), a 600 nt element encompassing the Xist B-repeat element. XR-PID is required for Polycomb recruitment by Xist RNA, Xist-mediated chromosome silencing. We identify the RNA-binding protein hnRNPK as the principal XR-PID binding factor required to recruit PCGF3/5-PRC1. Accordingly, synthetically tethering hnRNPK to Xist RNA lacking the B-repeat is sufficient for Xist-dependent Polycomb recruitment. Our findings resolve the molecular mechanism for Polycomb recruitment by Xist RNA, providing key insights into chromatin modification by non-coding RNA. SOURCE: Guifeng Wei (guifeng.wei@bioch.ox.ac.uk) - Brockdorff Lab University of Oxford