BioProject

Extensive changes in post-translational histone modifications accompany the rewiring of the transcriptional program during stem cell differentiation. More...

Extensive changes in post-translational histone modifications accompany the rewiring of the transcriptional program during stem cell differentiation. However, the mechanisms controlling the changes in specific chromatin modifications and their function during differentiation remain only poorly understood. We show that histone H2B monoubiquitination (H2Bub1) significantly increases during differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), various lineage-committed precursor cells and in diverse organisms. Furthermore, the H2B ubiquitin ligase RNF40 is required for the induction of differentiation markers and transcriptional reprogramming of hMSC. This function is dependent upon CDK9 and the WAC adaptor protein, which are required for H2B monoubiquitination. Finally, we show that RNF40 is required for the resolution of the H3K4me3/H3K27me3 bivalent poised state on lineage-specific genes during the transition from an inactive to active chromatin conformation. Thus, these data indicate that H2Bub1 is required for maintaining multipotency of hMSC cells and plays a central role in controlling stem cell differentiation. Overall design: This set contains 29 microarray samples and includes the following 5 conditions: undifferentiated hMSCs, 2 day osteoblast differentiation, 5 day osteoblast differentiation, 2 day adipocyte differentiation, and 5 day adipocyte differentiation. 3 siRNA control samples and 3 RNF40 knockdown samples for each condition (except two control siRNA samples for 2 days osteoblast differentiation). Less...