Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Recent studies have shown that PRC1-like Polycomb repressor complexes monoubiquity-late chromatin on histone H2A at lysine residue 119. Here we have analyzed the function of the polycomb protein Mel-18. Using affinity-tagged human MEL-18, we identify a polycomb-like complex, melPRC1, containing the core PRC1 proteins, RING1/2, HPH2, and CBX8. We show that, in ES cells, melPRC1 can functionally substitute for other PRC1-like complexes in Hox gene repression. A reconstituted subcomplex containing only Ring1B and Mel-18 functions as an efficient ubiquitin E3 ligase. This complex ubiquitylates free histone substrates nonspecifically but is highly specific for histone H2A lysine 119 in the context of nucleosomes. Mutational analysis demonstrates that while Ring1B is required for E3 function, Mel-18 directs this activity to H2A lysine 119 in chromatin. Moreover, this substrate-targeting function of Mel-18 is dependent on its prior phosphorylation at multiple residues, providing a direct link between chromatin modification and cell signaling pathways.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.molcel.2007.08.009

Type

Journal article

Journal

Mol Cell

Publication Date

12/10/2007

Volume

28

Pages

107 - 120

Keywords

Amino Acid Sequence, Animals, Cells, Cultured, Chromatin, DNA Mutational Analysis, DNA-Binding Proteins, Embryonic Stem Cells, Gene Expression Regulation, Genes, Homeobox, Histones, Humans, Macromolecular Substances, Mice, Molecular Sequence Data, Nucleosomes, Phosphorylation, Polycomb Repressive Complex 1, Promoter Regions, Genetic, Repressor Proteins, Ubiquitin, Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases, Zinc Fingers