Set1 regulates telomere function via H3K4 methylation-dependent and independent pathways and calibrates the abundance of telomere maintenance factors

Set1 is an H3K4 methyltransferase which comprises the catalytic subunit of the COMPASS complex and has been implicated in transcription, DNA repair, cell cycle control, and numerous other genomic functions. Set1 also promotes proper telomere maintenance, as cells lacking Set1 have short telomeres and disrupted subtelomeric gene repression; however, the precise role for Set1 in these processes has not been fully defined. In this study, we have tested mutants of Set1 and the COMPASS complex which differentially alter H3K4 methylation status and attempt to separate catalytic and non-catalytic functions of Set1. Our data reveal that Set1-dependent subtelomeric gene repression relies on its catalytic activity towards H3K4, whereas telomere length is regulated by Set1 catalytic activity but likely independent of the H3K4 substrate. Furthermore, we uncover a role for Set1 in calibrating the abundance of critical telomere maintenance proteins, including components of the telomerase holoenzyme and members of the telomere capping CST (Cdc13-Stn1-Ten1) complex, through both transcriptional and post-transcriptional pathways. Altogether, our data provide new insights into the H3K4 methylation-dependent and independent roles for Set1 in telomere maintenance in yeast and shed light on possible roles for Set1-related methyltransferases in other systems.