Female bias in Rhox6 and 9 regulation by the histone demethylase KDM6A

PLoS Genet. 2013 May;9(5):e1003489. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003489. Epub 2013 May 2.

Abstract

The Rhox cluster on the mouse X chromosome contains reproduction-related homeobox genes expressed in a sexually dimorphic manner. We report that two members of the Rhox cluster, Rhox6 and 9, are regulated by de-methylation of histone H3 at lysine 27 by KDM6A, a histone demethylase with female-biased expression. Consistent with other homeobox genes, Rhox6 and 9 are in bivalent domains prior to embryonic stem cell differentiation and thus poised for activation. In female mouse ES cells, KDM6A is specifically recruited to Rhox6 and 9 for gene activation, a process inhibited by Kdm6a knockdown in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, KDM6A occupancy at Rhox6 and 9 is low in male ES cells and knockdown has no effect on expression. In mouse ovary where Rhox6 and 9 remain highly expressed, KDM6A occupancy strongly correlates with expression. Our study implicates Kdm6a, a gene that escapes X inactivation, in the regulation of genes important in reproduction, suggesting that KDM6A may play a role in the etiology of developmental and reproduction-related effects of X chromosome anomalies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA Methylation
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / cytology
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Histone Demethylases / genetics*
  • Histone Demethylases / metabolism
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics*
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism
  • Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases / genetics
  • Mice
  • Reproduction / genetics*
  • Reproduction / physiology
  • Sex Characteristics
  • X Chromosome Inactivation / genetics

Substances

  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Rhox6 protein, mouse
  • Histone Demethylases
  • Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases
  • Utx protein, mouse
  • Kdm6b protein, mouse

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE45034
  • GEO/GSE45390