Histone H4K20 demethylation in cell cycle-controlled differentiation (A12)

• Subject Area: General Genetics and Functional Genome Biology
• Term: from 2013 to 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 213249687

Our current results from the model organism Xenopus indicate that Histone H4K20me1 and -me2 levels are regulated by S-phase dilution in proliferating cells, while becoming adjusted by specific histone demethylases such as PHF8, RSBN1 and HR23B in postmitotic, differentiating cells. By combining gain and loss of function analysis with RNA-Seq and ChIP-Seq approaches in ectodermal organoid cultures, we plan to dissect, how important these enzymes are for balancing the embryonic H4K20 methylation landscape, and how this is crucial for the successful differentiation of epidermal cells during development.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1064: Chromatin Dynamics
• Applicant Institution: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Ralph A. W. Rupp