A key step in gene repression by Polycomb is trimethylation of histone H3 K27 by PCR2 to form H3K27me3. H3K27me3 provides a binding surface for PRC1. We show that monoubiquitination of histone H2A by PRC1-type complexes to form H2Aub creates a binding site for Jarid2-Aebp2-containing PRC2 and promotes H3K27 trimethylation on H2Aub nucleosomes. Jarid2, Aebp2 and H2Aub thus constitute components of a positive feedback loop establishing H3K27me3 chromatin domains.

While the core subunits of Polycomb group (PcG) complexes are well characterized, little is known about the dynamics of these protein complexes during cellular differentiation. We used quantitative interaction proteomics and genome-wide profiling to study PcG proteins in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and neural progenitor cells (NPCs). We found the stoichiometry and genome-wide binding of PRC1 and PRC2 to be highly dynamic during neural differentiation. Intriguingly, we observed a downregulation and loss of PRC2 from H3K27me3-marked chromatin during differentiation, whereas PRC1 was retained at these sites. Additionally, we found PRC1 at enhancer and promoter regions independent of PRC2 binding and H3K27me3. Finally, overexpression of NPC-specific PRC1 interactors in ESCs led to increased Ring1b binding to and decreased expression of NPC-enriched Ring1b target genes. In summary, our integrative analyses have uncovered dynamic PcG subcomplexes and widespread co-localization with active chromatin marks during differentiation.

The nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase (NuRD) complex is an evolutionarily conserved chromatin-associated protein complex. Although the subunit composition of the mammalian complex is fairly well characterized, less is known about the stability and dynamics of these interactions. Furthermore, detailed information regarding protein-protein interaction surfaces within the complex is still largely lacking. Here, we show that the NuRD complex interacts with a number of substoichiometric zinc finger-containing proteins. Some of these interactions are salt-sensitive (ZNF512B and SALL4), whereas others (ZMYND8) are not. The stoichiometry of the core subunits is not affected by high salt concentrations, indicating that the core complex is stabilized by hydrophobic interactions. Interestingly, the RBBP4 and RBBP7 proteins are sensitive to high nonionic detergent concentrations during affinity purification. In a subunit exchange assay with stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC)-treated nuclear extracts, RBBP4 and RBBP7 were identified as dynamic core subunits of the NuRD complex, consistent with their proposed role as histone chaperones. Finally, using cross-linking MS, we have uncovered novel features of NuRD molecular architecture that complement our affinity purification-MS/MS data. Altogether, these findings extend our understanding of MBD3-NuRD structure and stability. Structured digital abstractMBD3 physically interacts with ZNF512B, HDAC1, ZMYND8, GATAD2B, SALL4, GATAD2A, ZNF592, MTA3, ZNF687, CDK2AP1, CHD3, ZNF532, HDAC2, MTA2, CHD4, MTA1, KPNA2, CHD5, RBBP4 and RBBP7 by pull down (View interaction) CDK2AP1 physically interacts with MBD3, MTA3, HDAC2, GATAD2A, CHD4, CDK2AP1, MTA2, HDAC1, MTA1, CHD3, GATAD2B, MBD2, RBBP4 and RBBP7 by pull down (View interaction) MBD3 physically interacts with MTA2, MTA3, RBBP4, RBBP7, HDAC2, HDAC1, CHD4, CHD3 and MTA1 by cross-linking study (View interaction) Abbreviations AP, affinity purification; FDR, false discovery rate; GFP, green fluorescent protein; HDAC, histone deacetylase; iBAQ, intensity-based absolute quantification; NuRD, nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase; PDB, Protein Data Bank; SAS, solvent-accessible surface; SILAC, stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture; TAP, tandem affinity purification; TEV, tobacco etch virus.