Seminar “Epigenetic regulation and role of mammalian genomic imprinting” by Prof. Robert Feil

Plant Epigenetics Unit (Saze unit) would like to invite you to a seminar by Prof. Robert Feil.

==========================
Date: Thursday, April 28^th, 2016
Time:15:00-16:00
Venue: C016, Lab 1
==========================

Speaker: Prof. Robert Feil,

Institute of Molecular Genetics (IGMM), CNRS and University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France;

Medical Institute of Bioregulation (MIB), Kyushu University, Fukuoka.

Title: “Epigenetic regulation and role of mammalian genomic imprinting”

Abstract:

Genomic imprinting evolved convergently in mammals, insects and seed plants. This epigenetic phenomenon brings about mono-allelic gene expression, entirely dependent on whether the gene copy is inherited from the mother or from the father. In mammals, several hundred protein-coding genes and regulatory non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are controlled by imprinting and many of these play roles in development, homeostasis and behaviour. Their deregulation is causally involved in human diseases.  Imprinted gene expression is well conserved between mammalian species and is controlled by specialised regulatory sequences called ‘imprinting control regions’ (ICRs). These unusual elements acquire allelic DNA methylation ‘imprints’ in either the male or the female germline, a process which is linked to transcription.  Several of the known ICRs express mono-allelic long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that recruit repressive histone methylation complexes to target genes. I will introduce the evolution and role of genomic imprinting in mammals and how its perturbation leads to disorders in humans, to then present to you some of our lab’s research into the underlying mechanisms. We are particularly interested in the developmental Dlk1-Dio3 gene domain, which is controlled by a paternally methylated ICR.  In the embryo, the unmethylated maternal copy of this ICR genes across the entire imprinted domain, on the maternal chromosome only. Amongst the activated RNAs is a regulatory lncRNA involved in the allelic repression of nearby protein-coding genes......

Kelsey G and Feil R (2013). New insights into the establishment and maintenance of DNA methylation imprints in mammals. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B, 368(1609):20110336.

Wolf JB et al. (2014). Imprinted gene expression in hybrids: perturbed mechanisms and evolutionary implications. Heredity, 113, 167-175.

Henckel A et al. (2012). Transcription and histone methylation changes correlate with imprint acquisition in male germ cells. EMBO J. 31, 606-615.

Kota SK et al. (2014). ICR non-coding RNA expression controls imprinting and DNA replication at the Dlk1-Dio3 domain. Dev Cell, 31, 19-33.

Puget N/Hirasawa R et al. (2015). Insertion of an imprinted insulator into the IgH locus reveals developmentally regulated, transcription-dependent suppression of V(D)J recombination. Mol Cell Biol. 35, 529-543

Auclair G et al. (2016). EHMT2 controls DNA methylation at specific genomic sites during mouse embryogenesis. Genome Res, Epub ahead of print.

We look forward to seeing many of you at the seminar.

Sincerely,
Yoko Fujitomi
Plant Epigenetics Unit (Saze unit)