Comparison of genome-wide distribution of histone modifications (H3K4me3, H3K9me2, H3K27me2, and H3K27me3) between wild-type and Kdm7a mutant embryos

Temporal and spatial colinear expression of Hox genes determines the specification of positional identities of the embryo. Post-translational modifications of histones contribute to transcriptional regulation, and are required for proper control of biological processes, including differentiation and development. Lysine demethylase 7A (Kdm7a) demethylates lysine 9 di-methylation of histone H3 (H3K9me2) and participates in transcriptional activation of developmental genes. However, the role of Kdm7a during mouse embryonic development remains to be elucidated. Here, we show that Kdm7a-/- mice exhibit anterior homeotic transformation of the axial skeleton (i.e. an increase in the number of presacral elements). Importantly, posterior Hox genes (caudally from Hox9) are specifically down-regulated in Kdm7a-/- embryos, which correlate with increased levels of H3K9me2. Taken together, these data suggest that Kdm7a is able to control transcription of posterior Hox genes, likely through its demethylating activity, and thereby regulating anterior-posterior development in mice. Total 46 ChIP-seq samples include [1] input for each experiment, [2] ChIP samples for histone marks H3K4me3, H3K9me2, H3K27me2, and H3K27me3.