Auto-methylation of the histone methyltransferase SetDB1 at its histone-mimic motifs ensures the spreading and maintenance of heterochromatin [RNA-seq]

Functionally and structurally distinct chromatin domains are defined by the so-called histone code, which consists of combinations of post-translational histone modifications deposited by "code writers" and recognized by "code readers." The primary mark of heterochromatin, trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 9 (H3K9me3), is deposited by histone methyltransferases, such as SetDB1, and serves as a binding platform for readers, most notably HP1 family proteins.

Using a reporter system to monitor the dynamics of heterochromatin establishment and maintenance, we demonstrated that transient tethering of HP1 triggers the SetDB1-dependent establishment of stable heterochromatin. This finding indicates the presence of a feedback mechanism wherein the reader of the H3K9me3 mark recruits the writer. We further discovered that the genetic interaction between SetDB1 and HP1 is mirrored by a direct physical interaction.