Molecular interplay of the noncoding RNA ANRIL and methylated histone H3 lysine 27 by polycomb CBX7 in transcriptional silencing of INK4a

Mol Cell. 2010 Jun 11;38(5):662-74. doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2010.03.021.

Abstract

Expression of the INK4b/ARF/INK4a tumor suppressor locus in normal and cancerous cell growth is controlled by methylation of histone H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27me) as directed by the Polycomb group proteins. The antisense noncoding RNA ANRIL of the INK4b/ARF/INK4a locus is also important for expression of the protein-coding genes in cis, but its mechanism has remained elusive. Here we report that chromobox 7 (CBX7) within the polycomb repressive complex 1 binds to ANRIL, and both CBX7 and ANRIL are found at elevated levels in prostate cancer tissues. In concert with H3K27me recognition, binding to RNA contributes to CBX7 function, and disruption of either interaction impacts the ability of CBX7 to repress the INK4b/ARF/INK4a locus and control senescence. Structure-guided analysis reveals the molecular interplay between noncoding RNA and H3K27me as mediated by the conserved chromodomain. Our study suggests a mechanism by which noncoding RNA participates directly in epigenetic transcriptional repression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cellular Senescence / physiology
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p15 / genetics
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16* / genetics
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16* / metabolism
  • Gene Silencing*
  • Histones* / genetics
  • Histones* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lysine / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Methylation
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Multigene Family
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular
  • Polycomb Repressive Complex 1
  • Polycomb-Group Proteins
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • RNA, Untranslated / genetics
  • RNA, Untranslated / metabolism*
  • Repressor Proteins / chemistry
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • CBX7 protein, human
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p15
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16
  • Histones
  • Polycomb-Group Proteins
  • RNA, Untranslated
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Polycomb Repressive Complex 1
  • Lysine

Associated data

  • PDB/2KVM