6mA-DNA-binding factor Jumu controls maternal-to-zygotic transition upstream of Zelda

Shunmin He, Guoqiang Zhang, Jiajia Wang, Yajie Gao, Ruidi Sun, Zhijie Cao, Zhenping Chen, Xiudeng Zheng, Jiao Yuan, Yuewan Luo, Xiaona Wang, Wenxin Zhang, Peng Zhang, Yi Zhao, Chuan He, Yi Tao (), Qinmiao Sun () and Dahua Chen ()
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Shunmin He: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Guoqiang Zhang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jiajia Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yajie Gao: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Ruidi Sun: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Zhijie Cao: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Zhenping Chen: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xiudeng Zheng: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jiao Yuan: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yuewan Luo: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xiaona Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Wenxin Zhang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Peng Zhang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yi Zhao: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Chuan He: The University of Chicago
Yi Tao: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Qinmiao Sun: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Dahua Chen: Chinese Academy of Sciences

Nature Communications, 2019, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract A long-standing question in the field of embryogenesis is how the zygotic genome is precisely activated by maternal factors, allowing normal early embryonic development. We have previously shown that N6-methyladenine (6mA) DNA modification is highly dynamic in early Drosophila embryos and forms an epigenetic mark. However, little is known about how 6mA-formed epigenetic information is decoded. Here we report that the Fox-family protein Jumu binds 6mA-marked DNA and acts as a maternal factor to regulate the maternal-to-zygotic transition. We find that zelda encoding the pioneer factor Zelda is marked by 6mA. Our genetic assays suggest that Jumu controls the proper zygotic genome activation (ZGA) in early embryos, at least in part, by regulating zelda expression. Thus, our findings not only support that the 6mA-formed epigenetic marks can be read by specific transcription factors, but also uncover a mechanism by which the Jumu regulates ZGA partially through Zelda in early embryos.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10202-3

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