Decoding the dynamic H3K9cr landscapes during neural commitment of P19 embryonal carcinoma cells

Histone lysine crotonylation (Kcr) is a novel hydrophobic histone acylation modification, and we recently report its crucial roles in neural differentiation. However, it is still unclear how histone Kcr involve in early neural commitment. Here, we systematically investigate the H3K9cr landscapes during neuroectodermal differentiation of pluripotent P19 embryonal carcinoma cells (ECCs). We reveal that the genome-wide changes in H3K9cr favor neural fate specification, and identify potential co-factors binding H3K9cr. We also uncover that H3K9cr collaborates with H3K9ac to regulate gene expression changes. Our results provide novel insights into the epigenetic mechanisms underlying neural commitment. •Genome-wide remodeling of H3K9cr during neural commitment.•H3K9cr collaborates with H3K9ac to regulate gene expression changes.•H3K9cr acts as a novel epigenetic regulator of neural fate specification.