Event date:
Jun 10 2021 12:00 pm

Characterization of CCT7 chaperonin as a Pc modulator in epigenetic cellular memory

Supervisor
Dr. Muhammad Tariq
Student
Najma Shaheen
Venue
Zoom Meetings (Online)
Event
PhD Research Seminar
Abstract
In metazoans, heritable states of cell type specific gene expression patterns linked with specialization of various cell types constitute transcriptional cellular memory. Evolutionarily conserved Polycomb group (PcG) and trithorax group (trxG) proteins contribute to the transcriptional cellular memory by maintaining heritable patterns of repressed and active expression states, respectively. Although chromatin structure and modifications appear to play a fundamental role in maintenance of repression by PcG, the precise targeting mechanism and the specificity factors that bind PcG complexes to a defined region in chromosomes remain elusive. Here we report a serendipitous discovery that uncovers a direct molecular interaction between Polycomb (Pc) and CCT7 subunit of TCP-1 Ring Complex (TRiC) chaperonin in Drosophila. CCT7 interacts with Pc at chromatin to maintain repressed states of homeotic and non-homeotic targets of PcG, which supports a strong genetic interaction observed between Pc and CCT7 mutants. Depletion of CCT7 results in dissociation of Pc from chromatin and redistribution of an abundant amount of Pc in cytoplasm. We propose that CCT7 is an important modulator of Pc, which helps Pc recruitment at chromatin and compromising CCT7 can directly influence an evolutionary highly conserved epigenetic network that supervises the appropriate cellular identities during development and homoeostasis of an organism.

Meeting Link: https://lums-edu-pk.zoom.us/j/91895454107?pwd=V2tLM1llY0JSTGtFSWxyZFFUb…

Meeting ID: 918 9545 4107

Passcode: 812107