Identification of Histone Modifications Reveals a Role of H2b Monoubiquitination in Transcriptional Regulation of dmrt1 in Monopterus albus

Gonadal trans-differentiation from ovary to testis occurs in a same individual, suggesting a role of epigenetic regulation. However, histone modifications concerning the sex reversal process remain elusive. We analyzed histone modifications using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq) technology was used to test chromatin immunoprecipitation of gonads. Western blot analysis was performed to analyze protein expression. Immunofluorescence analysis was conducted to localize proteins in gonadal tissues. Here, we report a developmental atlas of histone modifications in the gonadal differentiation, including acetylation, methylation, and ubiquitination. We provided a detail distribution map of these modification sites including novel histone modifications along histones H2a, H2b, H3, and H4, and revealed their relationship with types of gonadal differentiation. We then determined a testis-enriched histone modification site, H2b monoubiquitination at K120, and its association with spermatogenesis. ChIP-seq demonstrated that the modification was highly enriched in the male sex-determining gene dmrt1 (doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor 1), in particular, in its exon regions, suggesting its role in transcriptional regulation of dmrt1 in testis. Together, these data not only provide a new resource for epigenetic study in gonadal development, but also define an association of histone modifications with gonadal differentiation from ovary to testis.

Automated summary

This study examined histone modifications in gonadal differentiation, identifying new modification sites and their relationship with different types of gonadal differentiation. The research also discovered a testis-enriched histone modification site associated with spermatogenesis, emphasizing the importance of histone modifications in the transcriptional regulation of sex-determining genes during gonadal development.