Histone posttranslational modification ChIP-chip from Oikopleura dioica gonads

In multicellular organisms, histone posttranslational modifications plays roles in transitions associated with the cell cycle, development, germline specification, gametogenesis and inheritance. Here we defined adaptations of an epigenome in tunicates, sister group to vertebrates, to strong secondary genome compaction in the larvacean, Oikopleura dioica, that has separate sexes and male heterogamy. We profiled 19 histone post-translational modifications in homogeneous ovary and testis samples and used the combinatorics of these marks to define chromatin states. We supplemented these with profiles of RNA polymerase II, CTCF and p300 binding sites and integrated existing annotation and expression data to characterize distinct epigenomic landscapes of the ovary and testis. Comparison of chromatin landscapes of polyploid nurse nuclei and mitotic male germ line in early branching chordate

在多细胞生物体内，组蛋白翻译后修饰（histone posttranslational modifications）参与细胞周期运转、个体发育、生殖系特化、配子发生以及遗传传递等相关的进程转换。本研究以脊椎动物的姊妹群——被囊动物（tunicates）为研究对象，聚焦幼形纲动物异体住囊虫（Oikopleura dioica）中强烈的次生基因组紧缩现象，解析其表观基因组的适应性特征；该物种雌雄异体且为雄性异配性别。我们对均质化的卵巢与睾丸样本中的19种组蛋白翻译后修饰进行了表征，并利用这些修饰的组合模式定义了染色质状态（chromatin states）。此外，我们补充了RNA聚合酶II（RNA polymerase II）、CCCTC结合因子（CTCF）以及p300结合位点的组学图谱，并整合现有注释与表达数据，以刻画卵巢与睾丸各自独特的表观基因组图谱（epigenomic landscapes）特征。本研究还对早期分化脊索动物的多倍体滋养细胞核与有丝分裂雄性生殖系的染色质图谱进行了比较分析。