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Abstract :

Epigenetic modifications can affect gene activity without altering the DNA sequence. In this seminar, I will explore, using two different contexts (i.e. human genetic diseases and plant-pathogen interactions), how gene regulation can be impaired or hijacked and how to decipher epigenetic changes associated with these processes. In the first part of the talk, I will present one of my previous projects focusing on the role of the chromatin remodeler ATRX in the regulation of gene expression. ATRX is part of the versatile toolkit ensuring the highly dynamic structure of the chromatin, not only in mammals, but also in other multicellular organisms such as A. thaliana and D. melanogaster. In human, germline mutations of ATRX can lead to ATRX syndrome. Based on this rare genetic disease, I assessed the effects of ATRX mutations on the chromatin landscape and the regulation of gene expression. In the second part, I will transpose some of these concepts and tools to the analysis of plant-pathogen interactions. In this current project, I will investigate the transcriptional reprogramming occurring in tomato in response to parasitic infestations of three pathogens (nematode, oomycete, and aphid).