scholarly journals Cryo-electron microscopy structure of the H3-H4 octasome without histones H2A and H2B

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kayo Nozawa ◽  
Yoshimasa Takizawa ◽  
Leonidas Pierrakeas ◽  
Kazumi Saikusa ◽  
Satoko Akashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Base Pair ◽  
Genome Architecture ◽  
Histone H2a ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Eukaryotic Chromatin ◽  
And Function ◽  
In Cells ◽  
Dna Wrapping

The canonical nucleosome, which represents the predominant packaging unit in eukaryotic chromatin, has an octameric core made up of two histone H2A-H2B and H3-H4 dimers with ~147 base-pair (bp) DNA wrapping around it. Non-nucleosome particles with alterative histone stoichiometries and DNA wrapping configurations have been found, and they could profoundly influence genome architecture and function. Here we solved the structure of the H3-H4 octasome, which is a nucleosome-like particle with a core made up of four H3-H4 dimers. Two conformations, open and closed, are determined at 3.9 angstrom and 3.6 angstrom resolutions by cryo-electron microscopy, respectively. The H3-H4 octasome, made up of a di-tetrameric core, is wrapped by ~120 bp DNA in 1.5 negative superhelical turns. The symmetrical halves are connected by a unique H4-H4' interface along the dyad axis. In vivo crosslinking of cysteine probes placed at another unique H3-H3' interface demonstrated the existence of the H3-H4 octasome in cells.

Structure and dynamics of the yeast SWR1-nucleosome complex

Science ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 362 (6411) ◽  
pp. eaat7716 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver Willhoft ◽  
Mohamed Ghoneim ◽  
Chia-Liang Lin ◽  
Eugene Y. D. Chua ◽  
Martin Wilkinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Adenosine Triphosphate ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Base Pair ◽  
Histone H2a ◽  
Substrate Interactions ◽  
Structure And Dynamics ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Histone Core

The yeast SWR1 complex exchanges histone H2A in nucleosomes with Htz1 (H2A.Z in humans). The cryo–electron microscopy structure of the SWR1 complex bound to a nucleosome at 3.6-angstrom resolution reveals details of the intricate interactions between components of the SWR1 complex and its nucleosome substrate. Interactions between the Swr1 motor domains and the DNA wrap at superhelical location 2 distort the DNA, causing a bulge with concomitant translocation of the DNA by one base pair, coupled to conformational changes of the histone core. Furthermore, partial unwrapping of the DNA from the histone core takes place upon binding of nucleosomes to SWR1 complex. The unwrapping, as monitored by single-molecule data, is stabilized and has its dynamics altered by adenosine triphosphate binding but does not require hydrolysis.

scholarly journals DBC1 (Deleted in Breast Cancer 1) modulates the stability and function of the nuclear receptor Rev-erbα

2013 ◽  
Vol 451 (3) ◽  
pp. 453-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia C. S. Chini ◽  
Carlos Escande ◽  
Veronica Nin ◽  
Eduardo N. Chini
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Nuclear Receptor ◽  
Clock Genes ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
The Stability ◽  
And Function ◽  
Interfering Rna ◽  
In Cells

The nuclear receptor Rev-erbα has been implicated as a major regulator of the circadian clock and integrates circadian rhythm and metabolism. Rev-erbα controls circadian oscillations of several clock genes and Rev-erbα protein degradation is important for maintenance of the circadian oscillations and also for adipocyte differentiation. Elucidating the mechanisms that regulate Rev-erbα stability is essential for our understanding of these processes. In the present paper, we report that the protein DBC1 (Deleted in Breast Cancer 1) is a novel regulator of Rev-erbα. Rev-erbα and DBC1 interact in cells and in vivo, and DBC1 modulates the Rev-erbα repressor function. Depletion of DBC1 by siRNA (small interfering RNA) in cells or in DBC1-KO (knockout) mice produced a marked decrease in Rev-erbα protein levels, but not in mRNA levels. In contrast, DBC1 overexpression significantly enhanced Rev-erbα protein stability by preventing its ubiquitination and degradation. The regulation of Rev-erbα protein levels and function by DBC1 depends on both the N-terminal and C-terminal domains of DBC1. More importantly, in cells depleted of DBC1, there was a dramatic decrease in circadian oscillations of both Rev-erbα and BMAL1. In summary, our data identify DBC1 as an important regulator of the circadian receptor Rev-erbα and proposes that Rev-erbα could be involved in mediating some of the physiological effects of DBC1.

Cryo-EM structure of the human cohesin-NIPBL-DNA complex

Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 368 (6498) ◽  
pp. 1454-1459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhubing Shi ◽  
Haishan Gao ◽  
Xiao-chen Bai ◽  
Hongtao Yu
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Sister Chromatid ◽  
Base Pair ◽  
Adenosine Triphosphatase ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Synergistic Activation ◽  
Medium Resolution ◽  
Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
Dna Complex ◽  
Insight Into

As a ring-shaped adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) machine, cohesin organizes the eukaryotic genome by extruding DNA loops and mediates sister chromatid cohesion by topologically entrapping DNA. How cohesin executes these fundamental DNA transactions is not understood. Using cryo–electron microscopy (cryo-EM), we determined the structure of human cohesin bound to its loader NIPBL and DNA at medium resolution. Cohesin and NIPBL interact extensively and together form a central tunnel to entrap a 72–base pair DNA. NIPBL and DNA promote the engagement of cohesin’s ATPase head domains and ATP binding. The hinge domains of cohesin adopt an “open washer” conformation and dock onto the STAG1 subunit. Our structure explains the synergistic activation of cohesin by NIPBL and DNA and provides insight into DNA entrapment by cohesin.

scholarly journals The structure of the yeast Ctf3 complex

eLife ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen M Hinshaw ◽  
Andrew N Dates ◽  
Stephen C Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Atomic Model ◽  
Kinetochore Assembly ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Molecular Interpretation ◽  
Spindle Microtubules ◽  
And Function ◽  
Assembly Site

Kinetochores are the chromosomal attachment points for spindle microtubules. They are also signaling hubs that control major cell cycle transitions and coordinate chromosome folding. Most well-studied eukaryotes rely on a conserved set of factors, which are divided among two loosely-defined groups, for these functions. Outer kinetochore proteins contact microtubules or regulate this contact directly. Inner kinetochore proteins designate the kinetochore assembly site by recognizing a specialized nucleosome containing the H3 variant Cse4/CENP-A. We previously determined the structure, resolved by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), of the yeast Ctf19 complex (Ctf19c, homologous to the vertebrate CCAN), providing a high-resolution view of inner kinetochore architecture (Hinshaw and Harrison, 2019). We now extend these observations by reporting a near-atomic model of the Ctf3 complex, the outermost Ctf19c sub-assembly seen in our original cryo-EM density. The model is sufficiently well-determined by the new data to enable molecular interpretation of Ctf3 recruitment and function.

scholarly journals In vivo single cell analysis reveals Gata2 dynamics in cells transitioning to hematopoietic fate

2017 ◽  
Vol 215 (1) ◽  
pp. 233-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Eich ◽  
Jochen Arlt ◽  
Chris S. Vink ◽  
Parham Solaimani Kartalaei ◽  
Polynikis Kaimakis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Regulatory Networks ◽  
Single Cell Analysis ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
And Function ◽  
In Cells

Cell fate is established through coordinated gene expression programs in individual cells. Regulatory networks that include the Gata2 transcription factor play central roles in hematopoietic fate establishment. Although Gata2 is essential to the embryonic development and function of hematopoietic stem cells that form the adult hierarchy, little is known about the in vivo expression dynamics of Gata2 in single cells. Here, we examine Gata2 expression in single aortic cells as they establish hematopoietic fate in Gata2Venus mouse embryos. Time-lapse imaging reveals rapid pulsatile level changes in Gata2 reporter expression in cells undergoing endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition. Moreover, Gata2 reporter pulsatile expression is dramatically altered in Gata2+/− aortic cells, which undergo fewer transitions and are reduced in hematopoietic potential. Our novel finding of dynamic pulsatile expression of Gata2 suggests a highly unstable genetic state in single cells concomitant with their transition to hematopoietic fate. This reinforces the notion that threshold levels of Gata2 influence fate establishment and has implications for transcription factor–related hematologic dysfunctions.

scholarly journals Effects of osmolytes and macromolecular crowders on stable GAAA tetraloops and their preference for a CG closing base pair

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4236
Author(s):  
Kaethe N. Leonard ◽  
Joshua M. Blose
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Structure ◽  
Base Pair ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Tertiary Structure ◽  
Vis Spectroscopy ◽  
Rna Tertiary Structure ◽  
The Stability ◽  
And Function ◽  
Peg 8000

Osmolytes and macromolecular crowders have the potential to influence the stability of secondary structure motifs and alter preferences for conserved nucleic acid sequences in vivo. To further understand the cellular function of RNA we observed the effects of a model osmolyte, polyethylene glycol (PEG) 200, and a model macromolecular crowding agent, PEG 8000, on the GAAA tetraloop motif. GAAA tetraloops are conserved, stable tetraloops, and are critical participants in RNA tertiary structure. They also have a thermodynamic preference for a CG closing base pair. The thermal denaturation of model hairpins containing GAAA loops was monitored using UV-Vis spectroscopy in the presence and absence of PEG 200 or PEG 8000. Both of the cosolutes tested influenced the thermodynamic preference for a CG base pair by destabilizing the loop with a CG closing base pair relative to the loop with a GC closing base pair. This result also extended to a related DNA triloop, which provides further evidence that the interactions between the loop and closing base pair are identical for the d(GCA) triloop and the GAAA tetraloop. Our results suggest that in the presence of model PEG molecules, loops with a GC closing base pair may retain some preferential interactions with the cosolutes that are lost in the presence of the CG closing base pair. These results reveal that relatively small structural changes could influence how neutral cosolutes tune the stability and function of secondary structure motifs in vivo.

scholarly journals The structure of the yeast Ctf3 complex

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen M. Hinshaw ◽  
Andrew N. Dates ◽  
Stephen C. Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Atomic Model ◽  
Kinetochore Assembly ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Molecular Interpretation ◽  
Spindle Microtubules ◽  
And Function ◽  
Assembly Site

ABSTRACTKinetochores are the chromosomal attachment points for spindle microtubules. They are also signaling hubs that control major cell cycle transitions and coordinate chromosome folding. Most well-studied eukaryotes rely on a conserved set of factors, which are divided among two loosely-defined groups, for these functions. Outer kinetochore proteins contact microtubules or regulate this contact directly. Inner kinetochore proteins designate the kinetochore assembly site by recognizing a specialized nucleosome containing the H3 variant Cse4/CENP-A. We previously determined the structure, resolved by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), of the yeast Ctf19 complex (Ctf19c, homologous to the vertebrate CCAN), providing a high-resolution view of inner kinetochore architecture. We now extend these observations by reporting a near-atomic model of the Ctf3 complex, the outermost Ctf19c sub-assembly seen in our original cryo-EM density. The model is sufficiently well-determined by the new data to enable molecular interpretation of Ctf3 recruitment and function.

Structural insight into nucleosome transcription by RNA polymerase II with elongation factors

Science ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 363 (6428) ◽  
pp. 744-747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haruhiko Ehara ◽  
Tomoya Kujirai ◽  
Yuka Fujino ◽  
Mikako Shirouzu ◽  
Hitoshi Kurumizaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Transcription Elongation ◽  
Chromosomal Dna ◽  
Elongation Factors ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Structural Insight ◽  
Insight Into

RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcribes chromosomal DNA that contains multiple nucleosomes. The nucleosome forms transcriptional barriers, and nucleosomal transcription requires several additional factors in vivo. We demonstrate that the transcription elongation factors Elf1 and Spt4/5 cooperatively lower the barriers and increase the RNAPII processivity in the nucleosome. The cryo–electron microscopy structures of the nucleosome-transcribing RNAPII elongation complexes (ECs) reveal that Elf1 and Spt4/5 reshape the EC downstream edge and intervene between RNAPII and the nucleosome. They facilitate RNAPII progression through superhelical location SHL(–1) by adjusting the nucleosome in favor of the forward progression. They suppress pausing at SHL(–5) by preventing the stable RNAPII-nucleosome interaction. Thus, the EC overcomes the nucleosomal barriers while providing a platform for various chromatin functions.

scholarly journals FORMATION OF BONE TISSUE IN CULTURE FROM ISOLATED BONE CELLS

1974 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 427-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Itzhak Binderman ◽  
Dan Duksin ◽  
Arieh Harell ◽  
Ephraim Katzir (Katchalski) ◽  
Leo Sachs
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Bone Tissue ◽  
Bone Cells ◽  
Light And Electron Microscopy ◽  
Bone Collagen ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Three Stages ◽  
And Function

A system is described for the formation of bone tissue in culture from isolated rat bone cells. The isolated bone cells were obtained from embryonic rat calvarium and periosteum or from traumatized, lifted periosteum of young rats. The cells were cultured for a period of up to 8 wk, during which time the morphological, biochemical, and functional properties of the cultures were studied. Formation of bone tissue by these isolated bone cells was shown, in that the cells demonstrated osteoblastic morphology in light and electron microscopy, the collagen formed was similar to bone collagen, there was mineralization specific for bone, and the cells reacted to the hormone calcitonin by increased calcium ion uptake. Calcification of the fine structure of the cells and the matrix is described. Three stages in the calcification process were observed by electron microscopy. It is concluded that these bone cells growing in vitro are able to function in a way similar to such cells in vivo. This tissue culture system starting from isolated bone cells is therefore suitable for studies on the structure and function of bone.

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