Three functionally redundant plant-specific paralogs are core subunits of the SAGA histone acetyltransferase complex in Arabidopsis

The SAGA(Spt-Ada-Gcn5 acetyltransferase)complex is an evolutionarily conserved histone acetyltransferase complex that has a critical role in histone acetylation,gene expression,and various developmental processes in eukaryotes.However,little is known about the composition and function of the SAGA complex in plants.In this study,we found that the SAGA complex in Arabidopsis thaliana contains not only conserved subunits but also four plant-specific subunits:three functionally redundant paralogs,SCSI,SCS2A,and SCS2B(SCS1/2A/2B),and a TAF-like subunit,TAFL.Mutations in SCS1/2A/2B lead to defective phenotypes similar to those caused by mutations in the genes encoding conserved SAGA subunits HAG1 and ADA2B,including delayed juvenile-to-adult phase transition,late flowering,and increased trichome density.Furthermore,we demonstrated that SCS1/2A/2B are required for the function of the SAGA complex in histone acetylation,thereby promoting the transcription of development-related genes.These results together suggest that SCS1/2A/2B are core subunits of the SAGA complex in Arabidopsis.Compared with SAGA complexes in other eukaryotes,the SAGA complexes in plants have evolved unique features that are necessary for normal growth and development.

The Arabidopsis NuA4 histone acetyltransferase complex is required for chlorophyll biosynthesis and photosynthesis

Although two Enhancer of Polycomb-like proteins,EPL1 A and EPL1 B(EPL1 A/B),are known to be conserved and characteristic subunits of the Nu A4-type histone acetyltransferase complex in Arabidopsis thaliana,the biological function of EPL1 A/B and the mechanism by which EPL1 A/B function in the complex remain unknown.Here,we report that EPL1 A/B are required for the histone acetyltransferase activity of the Nu A4 complex on the nucleosomal histone H4 in vitro and for the enrichment of histone H4 K5 acetylation at thousands of protein-coding genes in vivo.Our results suggest that EPL1 A/B are required for linking the Nu A4 catalytic subunits HISTONE ACETYLTRANSFERASE OF THE MYST FAMILY 1(HAM1)and HAM2 with accessory subunits in the Nu A4 complex.EPL1 A/B function redundantly in regulating plant development especially in chlorophyll biosynthesis and de-etiolation.The EPL1 A/B-dependent transcription and H4 K5 Ac are enriched at genes involved in chlorophyll biosynthesis and photosynthesis.We also find that EAF6,another characteristic subunit of the Nu A4 complex,contributes to de-etiolation.These results suggest that the Arabidopsis Nu A4 complex components function as a whole to mediate histone acetylation and transcriptional activation specifically at light-responsive genes and are critical for photomorphogenesis.