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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.09.10.750567

H3K4me3 recruits the chromatin remodeling DILL-PICKLE-PEPPERCORN complexes to promoters in plants

BISCHOF, S.·Du, J.·Chen, S.·Linares, A.·Rannou, E.·Haerter, N. C.·Champeryroux, C.·Schwarz, A.·Prellion, E.·Giraldo-Fonseca, A.·Pfammatter, S.·Chen, L.·Kang, S.·Xie, G.·Liu, R.·Long, J. A.
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Abstract

The plant CHD chromatin remodeler PICKLE (PKL) is a master regulator of cellular identity and differentiation, controlling developmental, hormonal and stress-response processes. Yet the molecular mechanisms underlying its function remain unclear. Here, we show that PKL forms three complexes, each composed of a protein of previously unknown function and one of three mutually exclusive novel DNAJ proteins that recruit HSP70-1. Simultaneous loss of all three DNAJs phenocopies the pkl mutant, indicating functional redundancy among PKL complexes. In vitro activity assays and cryo-electron microscopy reveal that PKL clamps nucleosomal DNA via its ATPase motor domain and recognizes H3K4me3 through its double chromodomain. Genome-wide profiling shows that H3K4me3 recognition positions PKL complexes at genic promoters to bidirectionally fine-tune gene expression. Together, these results provide structure-function insight into PKL recruitment and its control of developmental gene expression, and reveal a chaperone-coupled complex assembly that offers a broader perspective on how chaperone networks may support chromatin remodeling complexes across eukaryotes.

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BISCHOF, S., Du, J., Chen, S., Linares, A., Rannou, E., Haerter, N. C., Champeryroux, C., Schwarz, A., Prellion, E., Giraldo-Fonseca, A., Pfammatter, S., Chen, L., Kang, S., Xie, G., Liu, R., Long, J. A.. 2026-09-13. H3K4me3 recruits the chromatin remodeling DILL-PICKLE-PEPPERCORN complexes to promoters in plants. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.09.10.750567

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