High impact information on FIE

• A complex network of cross-regulatory interactions among the other known members of the MEA-FIE PcG complex implies distinct functions that are dynamically regulated during reproduction [1].
• We show in planta that VRN2 and VIN3 are part of a large protein complex that can include the PcG proteins FERTILIZATION INDEPENDENT ENDOSPERM, CURLY LEAF, and SWINGER [2].
• Expression and parent-of-origin effects for FIS2, MEA, and FIE in the endosperm and embryo of developing Arabidopsis seeds [3].
• For one gene, fie1, the results were as expected: parent-specific methylation patterns were inherited from the three types of gamete: egg, central cell and sperm [4].
• Interaction of the Arabidopsis polycomb group proteins FIE and MEA mediates their common phenotypes [5].

Biological context of FIE

• The parent-of-origin-determined differential activity of MEA, FIS2, and FIE is not dependent on DNA methylation, but methylation does control some gene(s) that have key roles in seed development [3].
• We conclude that FIE and MEA act together as part of a multimeric complex and that this accounts for the similarities in mutant phenotypes [5].
• To study FIE function during the entire plant life cycle, we used Arabidopsis FIE co-suppressed plants [6].

Physical interactions of FIE

• Arabidopsis MSI1 is a component of the MEA/FIE Polycomb group complex and required for seed development [7].
• Yeast two-hybrid and pull-down assays demonstrate that FIE interacts with CLF [6].
• Since Hieracium FIE failed to interact with FIS class proteins in vitro, its partner proteins might differ from those in the FIS complex of Arabidopsis [8].

Other interactions of FIE

• The Polycomb-group (PcG) proteins MEDEA, FERTILIZATION INDEPENDENT ENDOSPERM, and FERTILIZATION INDEPENDENT SEED2 regulate seed development in Arabidopsis by controlling embryo and endosperm proliferation [9].

Analytical, diagnostic and therapeutic context of FIE

• Pull-down and surface plasmon resonance assays demonstrated that FIE interacts in-vitro with the pRb homologues from Arabidopsis (AtRb), maize (ZmRb) and human (HuRb) [10].

References