Gene network transitions in embryos depend upon interactions between a pioneer transcription factor and core histones

Abstract

Gene network transitions in embryos and other fate-changing contexts involve combinations of transcription factors. A subset of fate-changing transcription factors act as pioneers; they scan and target nucleosomal DNA and initiate cooperative events that can open the local chromatin. However, a gap has remained in understanding how molecular interactions with the nucleosome contribute to the chromatin-opening phenomenon. Here we identified a short α-helical region, conserved among FOXA pioneer factors, that interacts with core histones and contributes to chromatin opening in vitro. The same domain is involved in chromatin opening in early mouse embryos for normal development. Thus, local opening of chromatin by interactions between pioneer factors and core histones promotes genetic programming.M.I. was supported by postdoctoral fellowships from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Foundation (H26-683), Naito Foundation (RYU10000032), Astellas Foundation for Research on Metabolic Disorders (K0076) and Uehara Memorial Foundation (H24-20124). P.S. was supported by grant nos. SAF2016-75531-R (MICINN/FEDER, UE) and B2017/BMD-3724 (Comunidad de Madrid). The research was supported by NIH grant no. GM36477 to K.S.Z.Peer reviewe