A SET domain-containing protein and HCF-1 maintain transgenerational epigenetic memory

Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance (TEI) allows epigenetic information to pass across generations through mechanisms such as small RNAs and histone modifications. Histone methylation is often deposited by SET domain-containing methyltransferases. Some SET proteins lack catalytic activity but still regulate chromatin and gene expression. Here, we characterize SET-24, a catalytically inactive SET domain protein that localizes to germline nuclei and is essential for germline immortality in Caenorhabditis elegans. In set-24 mutants, small RNA-mediated epigenetic silencing is impaired. Proteomic, yeast two-hybrid, and pull-down assays show that SET-24 interacts with HCF-1, a chromatin factor linked to…

• W
  Wellcome

  Award: 219475/Z/19/Z
• WT
  Wellcome Trust

  Awards: 219475/Z/19/Z, 092096/Z/10/Z, C6946/A24843, 203144, 203144/Z/16/Z, 092096
• CR
  Cancer Research UK

  Awards: C6946/A24843, 092096, C6946, A24843, C13474/A27826
• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Award: P40 OD010440
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: OD010440, P40 OD010440