Transcriptional and epigenetic functions of histone variant H2A.ZThis paper is one of a selection of papers published in this Special Issue, entitled CSBMCB’s 51st Annual Meeting – Epigenetics and Chromatin Dynamics, and has undergone the Journal’s usual peer review process.

2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan Draker ◽  
Peter Cheung

The chromatin organization of a genome ultimately dictates the gene expression profile of the cell. It is now well recognized that key mechanisms that regulate chromatin structure include post-translational modifications of histones and the incorporation of histone variants at strategic sites within the genome. H2A.Z is a variant of H2A that is localized to the 5′ end of many genes and is required for proper regulation of gene expression. However, its precise function in the transcription process is not yet well defined. In this review, we discuss some of the recent findings related to this histone variant, how it associates with other histone epigenetic marks, and how post-translational modifications of H2A.Z further define its function.


2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 179-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Svotelis ◽  
Nicolas Gévry ◽  
Luc Gaudreau

The mammalian genome is organized into a structure of DNA and proteins known as chromatin. In general, chromatin presents a barrier to gene expression that is regulated by several pathways, namely by the incorporation of histone variants into the nucleosome. In yeast, H2A.Z is an H2A histone variant that is incorporated into nucleosomes as an H2A.Z/H2B dimer by the Swr1 complex and by the SRCAP and p400/Tip60 complexes in mammalian cells. H2A.Z has been associated with the poising of genes for transcriptional activation in the yeast model system, and is essential for development in higher eukaryotes. Recent studies in our laboratory have demonstrated a p400-dependent deposition of H2A.Z at the promoter of p21WAF1/CIP1, a consequence that prevents the activation of the gene by p53, thereby inhibiting p53-dependent replicative senescence, a form of cell-cycle arrest crucial in the prevention of carcinogenic transformation of cells. Moreover, H2A.Z is overexpressed in several different types of cancers, and its overexpression has been associated functionally with the proliferation state of cells. Therefore, we suggest that H2A.Z is an important regulator of gene expression, and its deregulation may lead to the increased proliferation of mammalian cells.



2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita A. Thambirajah ◽  
Andra Li ◽  
Toyotaka Ishibashi ◽  
Juan Ausió

Structural variability within histone families, such as H2A, can be achieved through 2 primary mechanisms: the expression of histone variants and the incorporation of chemical modifications. The histone H2A family contains several variants in addition to the canonical H2A forms. In this review, recent developments in the study of the heteromorphous variants H2A.X, H2A.Z, and macroH2A will be discussed. Particular focus will be given to the post-translational modifications (PTMs) of these variants, including phosphorylation, ubiquitination, acetylation, and methylation. The combination of the newly identified N- and C-terminal tail PTMs expands the multiplicity of roles that the individual H2A variants can perform. It is of additional interest that analogous sites within these different histone variants can be similarly modified. Whether this is a redundant function or a finely tuned one, designed to meet specific needs, remains to be elucidated.



2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 505-507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Bernstein ◽  
Sandra B. Hake

Changes in the overall structure of chromatin are essential for the proper regulation of cellular processes, including gene activation and silencing, DNA repair, chromosome segregation during mitosis and meiosis, X chromosome inactivation in female mammals, and chromatin compaction during apoptosis. Such alterations of the chromatin template occur through at least 3 interrelated mechanisms: post-translational modifications of histones, ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling, and the incorporation (or replacement) of specialized histone variants into chromatin. Of these mechanisms, the exchange of variants into and out of chromatin is the least well understood. However, the exchange of conventional histones for variant histones has distinct and profound consequences within the cell. This review focuses on the growing number of mammalian histone variants, their particular biological functions and unique features, and how they may affect the structure of the nucleosome. We propose that a given nucleosome might not consist of heterotypic variants, but rather, that only specific histone variants come together to form a homotypic nucleosome, a hypothesis that we refer to as the nucleosome code. Such nucleosomes might in turn participate in marking specific chromatin domains that may contribute to epigenetic inheritance.



2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anja Groth

Chromatin serves structural and functional roles crucial for genome stability and correct gene expression. This organization must be reproduced on daughter strands during replication to maintain proper overlay of epigenetic fabric onto genetic sequence. Nucleosomes constitute the structural framework of chromatin and carry information to specify higher-order organization and gene expression. When replication forks traverse the chromosomes, nucleosomes are transiently disrupted, allowing the replication machinery to gain access to DNA. Histone recycling, together with new deposition, ensures reassembly on nascent DNA strands. The aim of this review is to discuss how histones — new and old — are handled at the replication fork, highlighting new mechanistic insights and revisiting old paradigms.



2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (23) ◽  
pp. 12727
Author(s):  
Joana Esteves de Lima ◽  
Frédéric Relaix

Skeletal muscle development and regeneration rely on the successive activation of specific transcription factors that engage cellular fate, promote commitment, and drive differentiation. Emerging evidence demonstrates that epigenetic regulation of gene expression is crucial for the maintenance of the cell differentiation status upon division and, therefore, to preserve a specific cellular identity. This depends in part on the regulation of chromatin structure and its level of condensation. Chromatin architecture undergoes remodeling through changes in nucleosome composition, such as alterations in histone post-translational modifications or exchange in the type of histone variants. The mechanisms that link histone post-translational modifications and transcriptional regulation have been extensively evaluated in the context of cell fate and differentiation, whereas histone variants have attracted less attention in the field. In this review, we discuss the studies that have provided insights into the role of histone variants in the regulation of myogenic gene expression, myoblast differentiation, and maintenance of muscle cell identity.



2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yekaterina Kori ◽  
Peder J. Lund ◽  
Matteo Trovato ◽  
Simone Sidoli ◽  
Zuofei Yuan ◽  
...  

Histone variants, such as histone H3.3, replace canonical histones within the nucleosome to alter chromatin accessibility and gene expression. Although the biological roles of selected histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) have...



2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 528-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benoît Guillemette ◽  
Luc Gaudreau

It is now well established that cells modify chromatin to set transcriptionally active or inactive regions. Such control of chromatin structure is essential for proper development of organisms. In addition to the growing number of histone post-translational modifications, cells can exchange canonical histones with different variants that can directly or indirectly change chromatin structure. Moreover, enzymatic complexes that can exchange specific histone variants within the nucleosome have now been identified. One such variant, H2A.Z, has recently been the focus of many studies. H2A.Z is highly conserved in evolution and has many different functions, while defining both active and inactive chromatin in different contexts. Advanced molecular techniques, such as genome-wide binding assays (chromatin immunoprecipitation on chip) have recently given researchers many clues as to how H2A.Z is targeted to chromatin and how it affects nuclear functions. We wish to review the recent literature and summarize our understanding of the mechanisms and functions of H2A.Z.



2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugh W. Brock ◽  
Jacob W. Hodgson ◽  
Svetlana Petruk ◽  
Alexander Mazo

There is growing awareness of the importance of noncoding (nc)RNAs in the regulation of gene expression during pattern formation in development. Spatial regulation of Hox gene expression in development controls positional identity along the antero–posterior axis. In this review, we will focus on the role of short ncRNAs that repress Hox genes in Drosophila and mammals by RNA interference (RNAi), on long ncRNAs that may repress a Hox in cis in Drosophila by transcriptional interference, and on a novel long ncRNA that functions in trans to regulate Hox genes mammals.



2010 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline A. Ewens ◽  
Patrik Kloppsteck ◽  
Andreas Förster ◽  
Xiaodong Zhang ◽  
Paul S. Freemont

p97, also known as VCP (valosin-containing protein), is a hexameric AAA+ ATPase that participates in a variety of cellular processes. It is believed that p97 mediates these processes through the binding of various adaptor proteins. Many factors govern adaptor binding and the regulatory mechanisms are not yet well understood. Sites of phosphorylation and acetylation on p97 have been identified and such post-translational modifications may be involved in regulating p97 function. Phosphorylation and, to a lesser extent, acetylation of p97 have been shown to modify its properties — for example, by modulating adaptor binding and directing subcellular localization. These modifications have been implicated in a number of p97-mediated processes, including misfolded protein degradation, membrane fusion, and transcription factor activation. This review describes the known phosphorylation and acetylation sites on p97 and discusses their possible structural and functional implications.



2013 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 17-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariusz Gogól

Citrullination is one of the possible post-translational modifications of proteins. It is based on a conversion of L-arginine residue (L-Arg) to L-citrulline residue (L-Cit). The reaction is catalyzed by peptidylarginine deiminases (PAD). The change of L-Arg imino moiety results in a loss of a positive charge. This slight modification can contribute to significant changes in physicochemical properties of proteins, which may also cause a change of their functions. Citrullination is the modification observed in physiological processes such as epidermal keratinization, regulation of gene expression and the reorganization of myelin sheaths. The changes in the efficacy of citrullination may contribute to the pathogenesis of many different diseases including: psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer.



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