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Theoretical analysis of Polycomb-Trithorax systems predicts that poised chromatin is bistable and not bivalent

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  • Kim Sneppen

    (University of Copenhagen)

  • Leonie Ringrose

    (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstrasse 13, Haus 22)

Abstract

Polycomb (PcG) and Trithorax (TrxG) group proteins give stable epigenetic memory of silent and active gene expression states, but also allow poised states in pluripotent cells. Here we systematically address the relationship between poised, active and silent chromatin, by integrating 73 publications on PcG/TrxG biochemistry into a mathematical model comprising 144 nucleosome modification states and 8 enzymatic reactions. Our model predicts that poised chromatin is bistable and not bivalent. Bivalent chromatin, containing opposing active and silent modifications, is present as an unstable background population in all system states, and different subtypes co-occur with active and silent chromatin. In contrast, bistability, in which the system switches frequently between stable active and silent states, occurs under a wide range of conditions at the transition between monostable active and silent system states. By proposing that bistability and not bivalency is associated with poised chromatin, this work has implications for understanding the molecular nature of pluripotency.

Suggested Citation

  • Kim Sneppen & Leonie Ringrose, 2019. "Theoretical analysis of Polycomb-Trithorax systems predicts that poised chromatin is bistable and not bivalent," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-18, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-10130-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10130-2
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    Cited by:

    1. Liang-Yu Fu & Tao Zhu & Xinkai Zhou & Ranran Yu & Zhaohui He & Peijing Zhang & Zhigui Wu & Ming Chen & Kerstin Kaufmann & Dijun Chen, 2022. "ChIP-Hub provides an integrative platform for exploring plant regulome," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-15, December.
    2. Chet H. Loh & Siebe Genesen & Matteo Perino & Magnus R. Bark & Gert Jan C. Veenstra, 2021. "Loss of PRC2 subunits primes lineage choice during exit of pluripotency," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-14, December.

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