H2A.Z Stabilizes Chromatin in a Way That Is Dependent on Core Histone Acetylation

Roles of Histone H2A Variants in Cancer Development, Prognosis, and Treatment

Histones are nuclear proteins essential for packaging genomic DNA and epigenetic gene regulation. Paralogs that can substitute core histones (H2A, H2B, H3, and H4), named histone variants, are constitutively expressed in a replication-independent manner throughout the cell cycle. With specific chaperones, they can be incorporated to chromatin to modify nucleosome stability by modulating interactions with nucleosomal DNA. This allows the regulation of essential fundamental cellular processes for instance, DNA damage repair, chromosomal segregation, and transcriptional regulation. Among all the histone families, histone H2A family has the largest number of histone variants reported to date. Each H2A variant has multiple functions apart from their primary role and some, even be further specialized to perform additional tasks in distinct lineages, such as testis specific shortH2A (sH2A). In the past decades, the discoveries of genetic alterations and mutations in genes encoding H2A variants in cancer had revealed variants' potentiality in driving carcinogenesis. In addition, there is growing evidence that H2A variants may act as novel prognostic indicators or biomarkers for both early cancer detection and therapeutic treatments. Nevertheless, no studies have ever concluded all identified variants in a single report. Here, in this review, we summarize the respective functions for all the 19 mammalian H2A variants and their roles in cancer biology whilst potentiality being used in clinical setting.

The P. falciparum alternative histones Pf H2A.Z and Pf H2B.Z are dynamically acetylated and antagonized by PfSir2 histone deacetylases at heterochromatin boundaries

IMPORTANCE

The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum relies on variant expression of members of multi-gene families as a strategy for environmental adaptation to promote parasite survival and pathogenesis. These genes are located in transcriptionally silenced DNA regions. A limited number of these genes escape gene silencing, and switching between them confers variant fitness on parasite progeny. Here, we show that PfSir2 histone deacetylases antagonize DNA-interacting acetylated alternative histones at the boundaries between active and silent DNA. This finding implicates acetylated alternative histones in the mechanism regulating P. falciparum variant gene silencing and thus malaria pathogenesis. This work also revealed that acetylation of alternative histones at promoters is dynamically associated with promoter activity across the genome, implicating acetylation of alternative histones in gene regulation genome wide. Understanding mechanisms of gene regulation in P. falciparum may aid in the development of new therapeutic strategies for malaria, which killed 619,000 people in 2021.

Recognition of the inherently unstable H2A nucleosome by Swc2 is a major determinant for unidirectional H2A.Z exchange

The multisubunit chromatin remodeler SWR1/SRCAP/p400 replaces the nucleosomal H2A-H2B dimer with the free-form H2A.Z-H2B dimer, but the mechanism governing the unidirectional H2A-to-H2A.Z exchange remains elusive. Here, we perform single-molecule force spectroscopy to dissect the disassembly/reassembly processes of the H2A nucleosome and H2A.Z nucleosome. We find that the N-terminal 1-135 residues of yeast SWR1 complex protein 2 (previously termed Swc2-Z) facilitate the disassembly of nucleosomes containing H2A but not H2A.Z. The Swc2-mediated nucleosome disassembly/reassembly requires the inherently unstable H2A nucleosome, whose instability is conferred by three H2A α2-helical residues, Gly47, Pro49, and Ile63, as they selectively weaken the structural rigidity of the H2A-H2B dimer. It also requires Swc2-ZN (residues 1-37) that directly anchors to the H2A nucleosome and functions in the SWR1-catalyzed H2A.Z replacement in vitro and yeast H2A.Z deposition in vivo. Our findings provide mechanistic insights into how the SWR1 complex discriminates between the H2A nucleosome and H2A.Z nucleosome, establishing a simple paradigm for the governance of unidirectional H2A.Z exchange.

H2A.Z and chromatin remodelling complexes: a focus on fungi

Chromatin is a highly dynamic structure that closely relates with gene expression in eukaryotes. ATP-dependent chromatin remodelling, histone post-translational modification and DNA methylation are the main ways that mediate such plasticity. The histone variant H2A.Z is frequently encountered in eukaryotes, and can be deposited or removed from nucleosomes by chromatin remodelling complex SWR1 or INO80, respectively, leading to altered chromatin state. H2A.Z has been found to be involved in a diverse range of biological processes, including genome stability, DNA repair and transcriptional regulation. Due to their formidable production of secondary metabolites, filamentous fungi play outstanding roles in pharmaceutical production, food safety and agriculture. During the last few years, chromatin structural changes were proven to be a key factor associated with secondary metabolism in fungi. However, studies on the function of H2A.Z are scarce. Here, we summarize current knowledge of H2A.Z functions with a focus on filamentous fungi. We propose that H2A.Z is a potential target involved in the regulation of secondary metabolite biosynthesis by fungi.

Deciphering the Enigma of the Histone H2A.Z-1/H2A.Z-2 Isoforms: Novel Insights and Remaining Questions

The replication independent (RI) histone H2A.Z is one of the more extensively studied variant members of the core histone H2A family, which consists of many replication dependent (RD) members. The protein has been shown to be indispensable for survival, and involved in multiple roles from DNA damage to chromosome segregation, replication, and transcription. However, its functional involvement in gene expression is controversial. Moreover, the variant in several groups of metazoan organisms consists of two main isoforms (H2A.Z-1 and H2A.Z-2) that differ in a few (3–6) amino acids. They comprise the main topic of this review, starting from the events that led to their identification, what is currently known about them, followed by further experimental, structural, and functional insight into their roles. Despite their structural differences, a direct correlation to their functional variability remains enigmatic. As all of this is being elucidated, it appears that a strong functional involvement of isoform variability may be connected to development.

The histone variant H2A.Z in gene regulation

The histone variant H2A.Z is involved in several processes such as transcriptional control, DNA repair, regulation of centromeric heterochromatin and, not surprisingly, is implicated in diseases such as cancer. Here, we review the recent developments on H2A.Z focusing on its role in transcriptional activation and repression. H2A.Z, as a replication-independent histone, has been studied in several model organisms and inducible mammalian model systems. Its loading machinery and several modifying enzymes have been recently identified, and some of the long-standing discrepancies in transcriptional activation and/or repression are about to be resolved. The buffering functions of H2A.Z, as supported by genome-wide localization and analyzed in several dynamic systems, are an excellent example of transcriptional control. Posttranslational modifications such as acetylation and ubiquitination of H2A.Z, as well as its specific binding partners, are in our view central players in the control of gene expression. Understanding the key-mechanisms in either turnover or stabilization of H2A.Z-containing nucleosomes as well as defining the H2A.Z interactome will pave the way for therapeutic applications in the future.

Variant Histone H2afv reprograms DNA methylation during early zebrafish development

The DNA methylome is re-patterned during discrete phases of vertebrate development. In zebrafish, there are 2 waves of global DNA demethylation and re-methylation: the first occurs before gastrulation when the parental methylome is changed to the zygotic pattern and the second occurs after formation of the embryonic body axis, during organ specification. The occupancy of the histone variant H2A.Z and regions of DNA methylation are generally anti-correlated, and it has been proposed that H2A.Z restricts the boundaries of highly methylated regions. While many studies have described the dynamics of methylome changes during early zebrafish development, the factors involved in establishing the DNA methylation landscape in zebrafish embryos have not been identified. We test the hypothesis that the zebrafish ortholog of H2A.Z (H2afv) restricts DNA methylation during development. We find that, in control embryos, bulk genome methylation decreases after gastrulation, with a nadir at the bud stage, and peaks during mid-somitogenesis; by 24 hours post -fertilization, total DNA methylation levels return to those detected in gastrula. Early zebrafish embryos depleted of H2afv have significantly more bulk DNA methylation during somitogenesis, suggesting that H2afv limits methylation during this stage of development. H2afv deficient embryos are small, with multisystemic abnormalities. Genetic interaction experiments demonstrate that these phenotypes are suppressed by depletion of DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1). This work demonstrates that H2afv is essential for global DNA methylation reprogramming during early vertebrate development and that embryonic development requires crosstalk between H2afv and Dnmt1.

Nucleosome stability measured in situ by automated quantitative imaging

Current approaches have limitations in providing insight into the functional properties of particular nucleosomes in their native molecular environment. Here we describe a simple and powerful method involving elution of histones using intercalators or salt, to assess stability features dependent on DNA superhelicity and relying mainly on electrostatic interactions, respectively, and measurement of the fraction of histones remaining chromatin-bound in the individual nuclei using histone type- or posttranslational modification- (PTM-) specific antibodies and automated, quantitative imaging. The method has been validated in H3K4me3 ChIP-seq experiments, by the quantitative assessment of chromatin loop relaxation required for nucleosomal destabilization, and by comparative analyses of the intercalator and salt induced release from the nucleosomes of different histones. The accuracy of the assay allowed us to observe examples of strict association between nucleosome stability and PTMs across cell types, differentiation state and throughout the cell-cycle in close to native chromatin context, and resolve ambiguities regarding the destabilizing effect of H2A.X phosphorylation. The advantages of the in situ measuring scenario are demonstrated via the marked effect of DNA nicking on histone eviction that underscores the powerful potential of topological relaxation in the epigenetic regulation of DNA accessibility.

SWR1 Chromatin-Remodeling Complex Subunits and H2A.Z Have Non-overlapping Functions in Immunity and Gene Regulation in Arabidopsis

Incorporation of the histone variant H2A.Z into nucleosomes by the SWR1 chromatin remodeling complex is a critical step in eukaryotic gene regulation. In Arabidopsis, SWR1c and H2A.Z have been shown to control gene expression underlying development and environmental responses. Although they have been implicated in defense, the specific roles of the complex subunits and H2A.Z in immunity are not well understood. In this study, we analyzed the roles of the SWR1c subunits, PHOTOPERIOD-INDEPENDENT EARLY FLOWERING1 (PIE1), ACTIN-RELATED PROTEIN6 (ARP6), and SWR1 COMPLEX 6 (SWC6), as well as H2A.Z, in defense and gene regulation. We found that SWR1c components play different roles in resistance to different pathogens. Loss of PIE1 and SWC6 function as well as depletion of H2A.Z led to reduced basal resistance, while loss of ARP6 fucntion resulted in enhanced resistance. We found that mutations in PIE1 and SWC6 resulted in impaired effector-triggered immunity. Mutation in SWR1c components and H2A.Z also resulted in compromised jasmonic acid/ethylene-mediated immunity. Genome-wide expression analyses similarly reveal distinct roles for H2A.Z and SWR1c components in gene regulation, and suggest a potential role for PIE1 in the regulation of the cross talk between defense signaling pathways. Our data show that although they are part of the same complex, Arabidopsis SWR1c components could have non-redundant functions in plant immunity and gene regulation.

Regulation of Nucleosome Architecture and Factor Binding Revealed by Nuclease Footprinting of the ESC Genome

Functional interactions between gene regulatory factors and chromatin architecture have been difficult to directly assess. Here, we use micrococcal nuclease (MNase) footprinting to probe the functions of two chromatin-remodeling complexes. By simultaneously quantifying alterations in small MNase footprints over the binding sites of 30 regulatory factors in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs), we provide evidence that esBAF and Mbd3/NuRD modulate the binding of several regulatory proteins. In addition, we find that nucleosome occupancy is reduced at specific loci in favor of subnucleosomes upon depletion of esBAF, including sites of histone H2A.Z localization. Consistent with these data, we demonstrate that esBAF is required for normal H2A.Z localization in ESCs, suggesting esBAF either stabilizes H2A.Z-containing nucleosomes or promotes subnucleosome to nucleosome conversion by facilitating H2A.Z deposition. Therefore, integrative examination of MNase footprints reveals insights into nucleosome dynamics and functional interactions between chromatin structure and key gene-regulatory factors.

Environmental epigenetics: A promising venue for developing next-generation pollution biomonitoring tools in marine invertebrates

Environmental epigenetics investigates the cause-effect relationships between specific environmental factors and the subsequent epigenetic modifications triggering adaptive responses in the cell. Given the dynamic and potentially reversible nature of the different types of epigenetic marks, environmental epigenetics constitutes a promising venue for developing fast and sensible biomonitoring programs. Indeed, several epigenetic biomarkers have been successfully developed and applied in traditional model organisms (e.g., human and mouse). Nevertheless, the lack of epigenetic knowledge in other ecologically and environmentally relevant organisms has hampered the application of these tools in a broader range of ecosystems, most notably in the marine environment. Fortunately, that scenario is now changing thanks to the growing availability of complete reference genome sequences along with the development of high-throughput DNA sequencing and bioinformatic methods. Altogether, these resources make the epigenetic study of marine organisms (and more specifically marine invertebrates) a reality. By building on this knowledge, the present work provides a timely perspective highlighting the extraordinary potential of environmental epigenetic analyses as a promising source of rapid and sensible tools for pollution biomonitoring, using marine invertebrates as sentinel organisms. This strategy represents an innovative, groundbreaking approach, improving the conservation and management of natural resources in the oceans.

The Structural Determinants behind the Epigenetic Role of Histone Variants

Histone variants are an important part of the histone contribution to chromatin epigenetics. In this review, we describe how the known structural differences of these variants from their canonical histone counterparts impart a chromatin signature ultimately responsible for their epigenetic contribution. In terms of the core histones, H2A histone variants are major players while H3 variant CenH3, with a controversial role in the nucleosome conformation, remains the genuine epigenetic histone variant. Linker histone variants (histone H1 family) haven’t often been studied for their role in epigenetics. However, the micro-heterogeneity of the somatic canonical forms of linker histones appears to play an important role in maintaining the cell-differentiated states, while the cell cycle independent linker histone variants are involved in development. A picture starts to emerge in which histone H2A variants, in addition to their individual specific contributions to the nucleosome structure and dynamics, globally impair the accessibility of linker histones to defined chromatin locations and may have important consequences for determining different states of chromatin metabolism.

Histone H2A.Z deregulation in prostate cancer. Cause or effect?

Genetic and epigenetic changes are at the root of all cancers. The epigenetic component involves alterations of the post-synthetic modifications of DNA (methylation) and histones (histone posttranslational modifications, PTMs) as well as of those of their molecular "writers," "readers," and "erasers." Noncoding RNAs (ncRNA) can also play a role. Here, we focus on the involvement of histone alterations in cancer, in particular that of the histone variant H2A.Z in the etiology of prostate cancer. The structural mechanisms putatively responsible for the contribution of H2A.Z to oncogenic gene expression programs are first described, followed by what is currently known about the involvement of this histone variant in the regulation of androgen receptor regulated gene expression. The implications of this and their relevance to oncogene deregulation in different stages of prostate cancer, including the progression toward androgen independence, are discussed. This review underscores the increasing awareness of the epigenetic contribution of histone variants to oncogenic progression.

Unbiased chromatin accessibility profiling by RED-seq uncovers unique features of nucleosome variants in vivo

BACKGROUND

Differential accessibility of DNA to nuclear proteins underlies the regulation of numerous cellular processes. Although DNA accessibility is primarily determined by the presence or absence of nucleosomes, differences in nucleosome composition or dynamics may also regulate accessibility. Methods for mapping nucleosome positions and occupancies genome-wide (MNase-seq) have uncovered the nucleosome landscapes of many different cell types and organisms. Conversely, methods specialized for the detection of large nucleosome-free regions of chromatin (DNase-seq, FAIRE-seq) have uncovered numerous gene regulatory elements. However, these methods are less successful in measuring the accessibility of DNA sequences within nucelosome arrays.

RESULTS

Here we probe the genome-wide accessibility of multiple cell types in an unbiased manner using restriction endonuclease digestion of chromatin coupled to deep sequencing (RED-seq). Using this method, we identified differences in chromatin accessibility between populations of cells, not only in nucleosome-depleted regions of the genome (e.g., enhancers and promoters), but also within the majority of the genome that is packaged into nucleosome arrays. Furthermore, we identified both large differences in chromatin accessibility in distinct cell lineages and subtle but significant changes during differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Most significantly, using RED-seq, we identified differences in accessibility among nucleosomes harboring well-studied histone variants, and show that these differences depend on factors required for their deposition.

CONCLUSIONS

Using an unbiased method to probe chromatin accessibility genome-wide, we uncover unique features of chromatin structure that are not observed using more widely-utilized methods. We demonstrate that different types of nucleosomes within mammalian cells exhibit different degrees of accessibility. These findings provide significant insight into the regulation of DNA accessibility.

Precise deposition of histone H2A.Z in chromatin for genome expression and maintenance

Histone variant H2A.Z is essential in higher eukaryotes and has different functions in the cell. Several studies indicate that H2A.Z is found at specific loci in the genome such as regulatory-gene regions, where it poises genes for transcription. Itsdeposition creates chromatin regions with particular structural characteristics which could favor rapid transcription activation. This review focuses on the highly regulated mechanism of H2A.Z deposition in chromatin which is essential for genome integrity. Chaperones escort H2A.Z to large ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling enzymes which are responsible for its deposition/eviction. Over the last ten years, biochemical, genetic and genomic studies helped us understand the precise role of these complexes in this process. It hasbeen suggested that a cooperation occurs between histone acetyltransferase and chromatin remodeling activities to incorporate H2A.Z in chromatin. Its regulated deposition near centromeres and telomeres also shows its implication in chromosomal structure integrity and parallels a role in DNA damage response. Thedynamics of H2A.Z deposition/eviction at specific loci was shown to be critical for genome expression andmaintenance, thus cell fate. Altogether, recent findings reassert the importance of the regulated depositionof this histone variant. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Histone chaperones and Chromatin assembly.

Epigenetic regulation of the Plasmodium falciparum genome

Recent research has highlighted some unique aspects of chromatin biology in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. During its erythrocytic lifecycle P. falciparum maintains its genome primarily as unstructured euchromatin. Indeed there is no clear role for chromatin-mediated silencing of the majority of the developmentally expressed genes in P. falciparum. However discontinuous stretches of heterochromatin are critical for variegated expression of contingency genes that mediate key pathogenic processes in malaria. These range from invasion of erythrocytes and antigenic variation to solute transport and growth adaptation in response to environmental changes. Despite lack of structure within euchromatin the nucleus maintains functional compartments that regulate expression of many genes at the nuclear periphery, particularly genes with clonally variant expression. The typical components of the chromatin regulatory machinery are present in P. falciparum; however, some of these appear to have evolved novel species-specific functions, e.g. the dynamic regulation of histone variants at virulence gene promoters. The parasite also appears to have repeatedly acquired chromatin regulatory proteins through lateral transfer from endosymbionts and from the host. P. falciparum chromatin regulators have been successfully targeted with multiple drugs in laboratory studies; hopefully their functional divergence from human counterparts will allow the development of parasite-specific inhibitors.

H3.3 actively marks enhancers and primes gene transcription via opening higher-ordered chromatin

In this study, Chen et al. discover that the histone variant H3.3 impairs higher-ordered chromatin folding and promotes gene activation. H3.3 actively marks enhancers and determines the transcriptional potential of retinoid acid (RA)-regulated genes via creating an open chromatin signature that enables the binding of RAR/RXR. RA induction results in the incorporation of H3.3 on promoter regions to activate transcription via counteracting H2A.Z-mediated chromatin compaction.

The histone variants H3.3 and H2A.Z have recently emerged as two of the most important features in transcriptional regulation, the molecular mechanism of which still remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the regulation of H3.3 and H2A.Z on chromatin dynamics during transcriptional activation. Our in vitro biophysical and biochemical investigation showed that H2A.Z promoted chromatin compaction and repressed transcriptional activity. Surprisingly, with only four to five amino acid differences from the canonical H3, H3.3 greatly impaired higher-ordered chromatin folding and promoted gene activation, although it has no significant effect on the stability of mononucleosomes. We further demonstrated that H3.3 actively marks enhancers and determines the transcriptional potential of retinoid acid (RA)-regulated genes via creating an open chromatin signature that enables the binding of RAR/RXR. Additionally, the H3.3-dependent recruitment of H2A.Z on promoter regions resulted in compaction of chromatin to poise transcription, while RA induction results in the incorporation of H3.3 on promoter regions to activate transcription via counteracting H2A.Z-mediated chromatin compaction. Our results provide key insights into the mechanism of how histone variants H3.3 and H2A.Z function together to regulate gene transcription via the modulation of chromatin dynamics over the enhancer and promoter regions.

Histone variant Htz1 promotes histone H3 acetylation to enhance nucleotide excision repair in Htz1 nucleosomes

Nucleotide excision repair (NER) is critical for maintaining genome integrity. How chromatin dynamics are regulated to facilitate this process in chromatin is still under exploration. We show here that a histone H2A variant, Htz1 (H2A.Z), in nucleosomes has a positive function in promoting efficient NER in yeast. Htz1 inherently enhances the occupancy of the histone acetyltransferase Gcn5 on chromatin to promote histone H3 acetylation after UV irradiation. Consequently, this results in an increased binding of a NER protein, Rad14, to damaged DNA. Cells without Htz1 show increased UV sensitivity and defective removal of UV-induced DNA damage in the Htz1-bearing nucleosomes at the repressed MFA2 promoter, but not in the HMRa locus where Htz1 is normally absent. Thus, the effect of Htz1 on NER is specifically relevant to its presence in chromatin within a damaged region. The chromatin accessibility to micrococcal nuclease in the MFA2 promoter is unaffected by HTZ1 deletion. Acetylation on previously identified lysines of Htz1 plays little role in NER or cell survival after UV. In summary, we have identified a novel aspect of chromatin that regulates efficient NER, and we provide a model for how Htz1 influences NER in Htz1 nucleosomes.

Histone variants in pluripotency and disease

Most histones are assembled into nucleosomes during replication to package genomic DNA. However, several variant histones are deposited independently of replication at particular regions of chromosomes. Such histone variants include cenH3, which forms the nucleosomal foundation for the centromere, and H3.3, which replaces histones that are lost during dynamic processes that disrupt nucleosomes. Furthermore, various H2A variants participate in DNA repair, gene regulation and other processes that are, as yet, not fully understood. Here, we review recent studies that have implicated histone variants in maintaining pluripotency and as causal factors in cancer and other diseases.

Impaired in vivo binding of MeCP2 to chromatin in the absence of its DNA methyl-binding domain

MeCP2 is a methyl-CpG-binding protein that is a main component of brain chromatin in vertebrates. In vitro studies have determined that in addition to its specific methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBD) MeCP2 also has several chromatin association domains. However, the specific interactions of MeCP2 with methylated or non-methylated chromatin regions and the structural characteristics of the resulting DNA associations in vivo remain poorly understood. We analysed the role of the MBD in MeCP2–chromatin associations in vivo using an MeCP2 mutant Rett syndrome mouse model (Mecp2^tm1.1Jae) in which exon 3 deletion results in an N-terminal truncation of the protein, including most of the MBD. Our results show that in mutant mice, the truncated form of MeCP2 (ΔMeCP2) is expressed in different regions of the brain and liver, albeit at 50% of its wild-type (wt) counterpart. In contrast to the punctate nuclear distribution characteristic of wt MeCP2, ΔMeCP2 exhibits both diffuse nuclear localization and a substantial retention in the cytoplasm, suggesting a dysfunction of nuclear transport. In mutant brain tissue, neuronal nuclei are smaller, and ΔMeCP2 chromatin is digested faster by nucleases, producing a characteristic nuclease-resistant dinucleosome. Although a fraction of ΔMeCP2 is found associated with nucleosomes, its interaction with chromatin is transient and weak. Thus, our results unequivocally demonstrate that in vivo the MBD of MeCP2 together with its adjacent region in the N-terminal domain are critical for the proper interaction of the protein with chromatin, which cannot be replaced by any other of its protein domains.

H2A.Z facilitates access of active and repressive complexes to chromatin in embryonic stem cell self-renewal and differentiation

Chromatin modifications have been implicated in the self-renewal and differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). However, the function of histone variant H2A.Z in ESCs remains unclear. We show that H2A.Z is highly enriched at promoters and enhancers and is required for both efficient self-renewal and differentiation of murine ESCs. H2A.Z deposition leads to an abnormal nucleosome structure, decreased nucleosome occupancy, and increased chromatin accessibility. In self-renewing ESCs, knockdown of H2A.Z compromises OCT4 binding to its target genes and leads to decreased binding of MLL complexes to active genes and of PRC2 complex to repressed genes. During differentiation of ESCs, inhibition of H2A.Z also compromises RA-induced RARα binding, activation of differentiation markers, and the repression of pluripotency genes. We propose that H2A.Z mediates such contrasting activities by acting as a general facilitator that generates access for a variety of complexes, both activating and repressive.

H2A.Z and H2B.Z double-variant nucleosomes define intergenic regions and dynamically occupy var gene promoters in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum

Histone variants are important components of eukaryotic chromatin and can alter chromatin structure to confer specialized functions. H2B variant histones are rare in nature but have evolved independently in the phyla Apicomplexa and Trypanasomatida. Here, we investigate the apicomplexan-specific Plasmodium falciparum histone variant Pf H2B.Z and show that within nucleosomes Pf H2B.Z dimerizes with the H2A variant Pf H2A.Z and that Pf H2B.Z and Pf H2A.Z occupancy correlates in the subset of genes examined. These double-variant nucleosomes also carry common markers of euchromatin like H3K4me3 and histone acetylation. Pf H2B.Z levels are elevated in intergenic regions across the genome, except in the var multigene family, where Pf H2A.Z/Pf H2B.Z double-variant nucleosomes are only enriched in the promoter of the single active var copy and this enrichment is developmentally regulated. Importantly, this pattern seems to be specific for var genes and does not apply to other heterochromatic gene families involved in red blood cell invasion which are also subject to clonal expression. Thus, Pf H2A.Z/Pf H2B.Z double-variant nucleosomes appear to have a highly specific function in the regulation of P. falciparum virulence.

Histone H2A variants in nucleosomes and chromatin: more or less stable?

In eukaryotes, DNA is organized together with histones and non-histone proteins into a highly complex nucleoprotein structure called chromatin, with the nucleosome as its monomeric subunit. Various interconnected mechanisms regulate DNA accessibility, including replacement of canonical histones with specialized histone variants. Histone variant incorporation can lead to profound chromatin structure alterations thereby influencing a multitude of biological processes ranging from transcriptional regulation to genome stability. Among core histones, the H2A family exhibits highest sequence divergence, resulting in the largest number of variants known. Strikingly, H2A variants differ mostly in their C-terminus, including the docking domain, strategically placed at the DNA entry/exit site and implicated in interactions with the (H3–H4)₂-tetramer within the nucleosome and in the L1 loop, the interaction interface of H2A–H2B dimers. Moreover, the acidic patch, important for internucleosomal contacts and higher-order chromatin structure, is altered between different H2A variants. Consequently, H2A variant incorporation has the potential to strongly regulate DNA organization on several levels resulting in meaningful biological output. Here, we review experimental evidence pinpointing towards outstanding roles of these highly variable regions of H2A family members, docking domain, L1 loop and acidic patch, and close by discussing their influence on nucleosome and higher-order chromatin structure and stability.

Analysis of active chromatin modifications in early mammalian embryos reveals uncoupling of H2A.Z acetylation and H3K36 trimethylation from embryonic genome activation

Early embryonic development is characterized by dramatic changes in cell potency and chromatin organization. The role of histone variants in the context of chromatin remodeling during embryogenesis remains under investigated. In particular, the nuclear distribution of the histone variant H2A.Z and its modifications have not been examined. Here we investigated the dynamics of acetylation of H2A.Z and two other active chromatin marks, H3K9ac and H3K36me3, throughout murine and bovine pre-implantation development. We show that H2A.Z distribution is dynamic during the earliest stages of mouse development, with protein levels significantly varying across stages and lowest at the 2-cell stage. When present, H2A.Z localizes preferentially to euchromatin at all stages analyzed. H2A.Z is acetylated in pre-implantation blastomeres and is preferentially localized to euchromatin, in line with the known role of H2A.Zac in transcriptional activation. Interestingly, however, H2A.Zac is undetectable in mouse embryos at the 2-cell stage, the time of major embryonic genome activation (EGA). Similarly, H3K36me3 is present exclusively in the maternal chromatin immediately after fertilization but becomes undetectable in interphase nuclei at the 2-cell stage, suggesting uncoupling of these active marks with global embryonic transcription activation. In bovine embryos, which undergo EGA at the 8-cell stage, H2A.Zac can be detected in zygotes, 4-, 8- and 16-cell stage embryos as well as in blastocysts, indicating that the dynamics of H2A.Zac is not conserved in mammals. In contrast, H3K36me3 displays mostly undetectable and heterogeneous localization pattern throughout bovine pre-implantation development. Thus, our results suggest that 'canonical' active chromatin marks exhibit a dynamic behavior in embryonic nuclei, which is both stage- and species-specific. We hypothesize that chromatin of early embryonic nuclei is subject to fine-tuning through differential acquisition of histone marks, allowing for proper chromatin remodeling and developmental progression in a species-specific fashion.

MeCP2 binds to nucleosome free (linker DNA) regions and to H3K9/H3K27 methylated nucleosomes in the brain

Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) is a chromatin-binding protein that mediates transcriptional regulation, and is highly abundant in brain. The nature of its binding to reconstituted templates has been well characterized in vitro. However, its interactions with native chromatin are less understood. Here we show that MeCP2 displays a distinct distribution within fractionated chromatin from various tissues and cell types. Artificially induced global changes in DNA methylation by 3-aminobenzamide or 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine, do not significantly affect the distribution or amount of MeCP2 in HeLa S3 or 3T3 cells. Most MeCP2 in brain is chromatin-bound and localized within highly nuclease-accessible regions. We also show that, while in most tissues and cell lines, MeCP2 forms stable complexes with nucleosome, in brain, a fraction of it is loosely bound to chromatin, likely to nucleosome-depleted regions. Finally, we provide evidence for novel associations of MeCP2 with mononucleosomes containing histone H2A.X, H3K9me₂ and H3K27me₃ in different chromatin fractions from brain cortex and in vitro. We postulate that the functional compartmentalization and tissue-specific distribution of MeCP2 within different chromatin types may be directed by its association with nucleosomes containing specific histone variants, and post-translational modifications.

H2A.Z-Mediated Genome-Wide Chromatin Specialization

The characterization of the involvement of different histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) and histone variants in chromatin structure has represented one of the most recurrent topics in molecular biology during the last decade (since 1996). The interest in this topic underscores the critical roles played by chromatin in such important processes as DNA packaging, DNA repair and recombination, and regulation of gene expression. The genomic information currently available has pushed the boundaries of this research a step further, from the study of local domains to the genome-wide characterization of the mechanisms governing chromatin dynamics. How the heterchromatin and euchromatin compartmentalization is established has been the subject of recent extensive research. Many PTMs, as well as histone variants have been identified to play a role, including the replacement of histone H2A by the histone variant H2A.Z. Several studies have provided support to a role for H2A.Z (known as Htz1 in yeast) in transcriptional regulation, chromosome structure, DNA repair and heterochromatin formation. Although the mechanisms by which H2A.Z defines different structural regions in the chromatin have long remained elusive, various reports published last year have shed new insight into this process. The present mini review focuses its attention on the genome-wide distribution of H2A.Z, with special attention to the mechanisms involved in its distribution and exchange as well as on the role of its N-terminal acetylation.

Loss of H2A.Z Is Not Sufficient to Determine Transcriptional Activity of Snf2-Related CBP Activator Protein or p400 Complexes

The p400 and SRCAP (Snf2-related CBP activator protein) complexes remodel chromatin by catalyzing deposition of histone H2A.Z into nucleosomes. This remodeling activity has been proposed as a basis for regulation of transcription by these complexes. Transcript levels of p21 or Sp1 mRNAs after knockdown of p400 or SRCAP reveals that each regulates transcription of these promoters differently. In this study, we asked whether deposition of H2A.Z within specific nucleosomes by p400 or SRCAP dictates transcriptional activity. Our data indicates that nucleosome density at specific p21 or Sp1 promoter positions is not altered by the loss of either remodeling complex. However, knockdown of SRCAP or p400 reduces deposition of H2A.Z∼50% into all p21 and Sp1 promoter nucleosomes. Thus, H2A.Z deposition is not targeted to specific nucleosomes. These results indicate that the deposition of H2A.Z by the p400 or SRCAP complexes is not sufficient to determine how each regulates transcription. This conclusion is further supported by studies that demonstrate a SRCAP_ΔATP mutant unable to deposit H2A.Z has similar transcriptional activity as wild-type SRCAP.

Expression of P. falciparum var genes involves exchange of the histone variant H2A.Z at the promoter

Plasmodium falciparum employs antigenic variation to evade the human immune response by switching the expression of different variant surface antigens encoded by the var gene family. Epigenetic mechanisms including histone modifications and sub-nuclear compartmentalization contribute to transcriptional regulation in the malaria parasite, in particular to control antigenic variation. Another mechanism of epigenetic control is the exchange of canonical histones with alternative variants to generate functionally specialized chromatin domains. Here we demonstrate that the alternative histone PfH2A.Z is associated with the epigenetic regulation of var genes. In many eukaryotic organisms the histone variant H2A.Z mediates an open chromatin structure at promoters and facilitates diverse levels of regulation, including transcriptional activation. Throughout the asexual, intraerythrocytic lifecycle of P. falciparum we found that the P. falciparum ortholog of H2A.Z (PfH2A.Z) colocalizes with histone modifications that are characteristic of transcriptionally-permissive euchromatin, but not with markers of heterochromatin. Consistent with this finding, antibodies to PfH2A.Z co-precipitate the permissive modification H3K4me3. By chromatin-immunoprecipitation we show that PfH2A.Z is enriched in nucleosomes around the transcription start site (TSS) in both transcriptionally active and silent stage-specific genes. In var genes, however, PfH2A.Z is enriched at the TSS only during active transcription in ring stage parasites. Thus, in contrast to other genes, temporal var gene regulation involves histone variant exchange at promoter nucleosomes. Sir2 histone deacetylases are important for var gene silencing and their yeast ortholog antagonises H2A.Z function in subtelomeric yeast genes. In immature P. falciparum parasites lacking Sir2A or Sir2B high var transcription levels correlate with enrichment of PfH2A.Z at the TSS. As Sir2A knock out parasites mature the var genes are silenced, but PfH2A.Z remains enriched at the TSS of var genes; in contrast, PfH2A.Z is lost from the TSS of de-repressed var genes in mature Sir2B knock out parasites. This result indicates that PfH2A.Z occupancy at the active var promoter is antagonized by PfSir2A during the intraerythrocytic life cycle. We conclude that PfH2A.Z contributes to the nucleosome architecture at promoters and is regulated dynamically in active var genes.

Plasmodium falciparum is a protist parasite that causes malaria and kills more than 800,000 people per year. The parasite escapes from the human immune response by antigenic variation through switching between expression of different var genes. These encode different variant antigens that are expressed on the surface of the infected erythrocyte and mediate pathogenic adhesion of the infected erythrocytes to host receptors. Understanding how this process is regulated may lead to the identification of factors that are essential for immune evasion and that could represent novel drug targets. Here, we have identified the parasite's histone variant PfH2A.Z as a novel contributor to the transcriptional regulation of antigenic variation. PfH2A.Z is enriched in the promoter of many genes, but enrichment correlates with gene expression only in var genes. Furthermore we show that PfH2A.Z enrichment in var promoters is antagonised by the var gene silencing factor PfSir2A. These findings further extend our knowledge of the complex mechanisms regulating gene expression in P. falciparum.

The FRIGIDA complex activates transcription of FLC, a strong flowering repressor in Arabidopsis, by recruiting chromatin modification factors

The flowering of Arabidopsis thaliana winter annuals is delayed until the subsequent spring by the strong floral repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC). FRIGIDA (FRI) activates the transcription of FLC, but the molecular mechanism remains elusive. The fri mutation causes early flowering with reduced FLC expression similar to frl1, fes1, suf4, and flx, which are mutants of FLC-specific regulators. Here, we report that FRI acts as a scaffold protein interacting with FRL1, FES1, SUF4, and FLX to form a transcription activator complex (FRI-C). Each component of FRI-C has a specialized function. SUF4 binds to a cis-element of the FLC promoter, FLX and FES1 have transcriptional activation potential, and FRL1 and FES1 stabilize the complex. FRI-C recruits a general transcription factor, a TAF14 homolog, and chromatin modification factors, the SWR1 complex and SET2 homolog. Complex formation was confirmed by the immunoprecipitation of FRI-associated proteins followed by mass spectrometric analysis. Our results provide insight into how a specific transcription activator recruits chromatin modifiers to regulate a key flowering gene.

H2A.Z nucleosomes enriched over active genes are homotypic

Nucleosomes that contain the histone variant H2A.Z are enriched around transcriptional start sites, but the mechanistic basis for this enrichment is unknown. A single octameric nucleosome can contain two H2A.Z histones (homotypic) or one H2A.Z and one canonical H2A (heterotypic). To elucidate the function of H2A.Z, we generated high-resolution maps of homotypic and heterotypic Drosophila H2A.Z (H2Av) nucleosomes. Although homotypic and heterotypic H2A.Z nucleosomes mapped throughout most of the genome, homotypic nucleosomes were enriched and heterotypic nucleosomes were depleted downstream of active promoters and intron-exon junctions. The distribution of homotypic H2A.Z nucleosomes resembled that of classical active chromatin and showed evidence of disruption during transcriptional elongation. Both homotypic H2A.Z nucleosomes and classical active chromatin were depleted downstream of paused polymerases. Our results suggest that H2A.Z enrichment patterns result from intrinsic structural differences between heterotypic and homotypic H2A.Z nucleosomes that follow disruption during transcriptional elongation.

Changes in H2A.Z occupancy and DNA methylation during B-cell lymphomagenesis

The histone variant H2A.Z has been implicated in the regulation of gene expression, and in plants antagonizes DNA methylation. Here, we ask whether a similar relationship exists in mammals, using a mouse B-cell lymphoma model, where chromatin states can be monitored during tumorigenesis. Using native chromatin immunoprecipitation with microarray hybridization (ChIP-chip), we found a progressive depletion of H2A.Z around transcriptional start sites (TSSs) during MYC-induced transformation of pre-B cells and, subsequently, during lymphomagenesis. In addition, we found that H2A.Z and DNA methylation are generally anticorrelated around TSSs in both wild-type and MYC-transformed cells, as expected for the opposite effects of these chromatin features on promoter competence. Depletion of H2A.Z over TSSs both in cells that are induced to proliferate and in cells that are developing into a tumor suggests that progressive loss of H2A.Z during tumorigenesis results from the advancing disease state. These changes were accompanied by increases in chromatin salt solubility. Surprisingly, ∼30% of all genes showed a redistribution of H2A.Z from around TSSs to bodies of active genes during the transition from MYC-transformed to tumor cells, with DNA methylation lost from gene bodies where H2A.Z levels increased. No such redistributions were observed during MYC-induced transformation of wild-type pre-B cells. The documented role of H2A.Z in regulating transcription suggests that 30% of genes have the potential to be aberrantly expressed during tumorigenesis. Our results imply that antagonism between H2A.Z deposition and DNA methylation is a conserved feature of eukaryotic genes, and that transcription-coupled H2A.Z changes may play a role in cancer initiation and progression.

Identification and characterization of the two isoforms of the vertebrate H2A.Z histone variant

Histone variants play important roles in the epigenetic regulation of genome function. The histone variant H2A.Z is evolutionarily conserved from yeast to vertebrates, and it has been reported to have multiple effects upon gene expression and insulation, and chromosome segregation. Recently two genes encoding H2A.Z were identified in the vertebrate genome. However, it is not yet clear whether the proteins transcribed from these genes are functionally distinct. To address this issue, we knocked out each gene individually in chicken DT40 cells. We found that two distinct proteins, H2A.Z-1 and H2A.Z-2, were produced from these genes, and that these proteins could be separated on a long SDS–PAGE gel. The two isoforms were deposited to a similar extent by the SRCAP chromatin-remodeling complex, suggesting redundancy to their function. However, cells lacking either one of the two isoforms exhibited distinct alterations in cell growth and gene expression, suggesting that the two isoforms have differential effects upon nucleosome stability and chromatin structure. These findings provide insight into the molecular basis of the multiple functions of the H2A.Z gene products.

H2A.Z and H3.3 histone variants affect nucleosome structure: biochemical and biophysical studies

Histone variants play important roles in regulation of chromatin structure and function. To understand the structural role played by histone variants H2A.Z and H3.3, both of which are implicated in transcription regulation, we conducted extensive biochemical and biophysical analysis on mononucleosomes reconstituted from either random-sequence DNA derived from native nucleosomes or a defined DNA nucleosome positioning sequence and recombinant human histones. Using established electrophoretic and sedimentation analysis methods, we compared the properties of nucleosomes containing canonical histones and histone variants H2A.Z and H3.3 (in isolation or in combination). We find only subtle differences in the compaction and stability of the particles. Interestingly, both H2A.Z and H3.3 affect nucleosome positioning, either creating new positions or altering the relative occupancy of the existing nucleosome position space. On the other hand, only H2A.Z-containing nucleosomes exhibit altered linker histone binding. These properties could be physiologically significant as nucleosome positions and linker histone binding partly determine factor binding accessibility.

Characterization of the histone H2A.Z-1 and H2A.Z-2 isoforms in vertebrates

BACKGROUND

Within chromatin, the histone variant H2A.Z plays a role in many diverse nuclear processes including transcription, preventing the spread of heterochromatin and epigenetic transcriptional memory. The molecular mechanisms of how H2A.Z mediates its effects are not entirely understood. However, it is now known that H2A.Z has two protein isoforms in vertebrates, H2A.Z-1 and H2A.Z-2, which are encoded by separate genes and differ by 3 amino acid residues.

RESULTS

We report that H2A.Z-1 and H2A.Z-2 are expressed across a wide range of human tissues, they are both acetylated at lysine residues within the N-terminal region and they exhibit similar, but nonidentical, distributions within chromatin. Our results suggest that H2A.Z-2 preferentially associates with H3 trimethylated at lysine 4 compared to H2A.Z-1. The phylogenetic analysis of the promoter regions of H2A.Z-1 and H2A.Z-2 indicate that they have evolved separately during vertebrate evolution.

CONCLUSIONS

Our biochemical, gene expression, and phylogenetic data suggest that the H2A.Z-1 and H2A.Z-2 variants function similarly yet they may have acquired a degree of functional independence.

Cooperative action of TIP48 and TIP49 in H2A.Z exchange catalyzed by acetylation of nucleosomal H2A

H2A.Z is an evolutionarily conserved H2A variant that plays a key role in the regulation of chromatin transcription. To understand the molecular mechanism of H2A.Z exchange, we purified two distinct H2A.Z-interacting complexes termed the small and big complexes from a human cell line. The big complex contains most components of the SRCAP chromatin remodeling and TIP60 HAT complexes, whereas the small complex possesses only a subset of SRCAP and TIP60 subunits. Our exchange analysis revealed that both small and big complexes enhance the incorporation of H2A.Z-H2B dimer into the nucleosome. In addition, TIP60-mediated acetylation of nucleosomal H2A specifically facilitates the action of the small complex in the H2A.Z exchange reaction. Among factors present in the small complex, we determined that TIP48 and TIP49 play a major role in catalyzing H2A acetylation-induced H2A.Z exchange via their ATPase activities. Overall, our work uncovers the previously-unrecognized role of TIP48 and TIP49 in H2A.Z exchange and a novel epigenetic mechanism controlling this process.

Acetylation of vertebrate H2A.Z and its effect on the structure of the nucleosome

Purified histone H2A.Z from chicken erythrocytes and a sodium butyrate-treated chicken erythroleukemic cell line was used as a model system to identify the acetylation sites (K4, K7, K11, K13, and K15) and quantify their distribution in this vertebrate histone variant. To understand the role played by acetylation in the modulation of the H2A.Z nucleosome core particle (NCP) stability and conformation, an extensive analysis was conducted on NCPs reconstituted from acetylated forms of histones, including H2A.Z and recombinant H2A.Z (K/Q) acetylation mimic mutants. Although the overall global acetylation of core histones destabilizes the NCP, we found that H2A.Z stabilizes the NCP regardless of its state of acetylation. Interestingly and quite unexpectedly, we found that the change in NCP conformation induced by global histone acetylation is dependent on H2A/H2A.Z acetylation. This suggests that acetylated H2A variants act synergistically with the acetylated forms of the core histone complement to alter the particle conformation. Furthermore, the simultaneous occurrence of H2A.Z and H2A in heteromorphic NCPs that most likely occurs in vivo slightly destabilizes the NCP, but only in the presence of acetylation.

Transcriptional and epigenetic functions of histone variant H2A.Z

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.

New developments in post-translational modifications and functions of histone H2A variants

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.

Connection between histone H2A variants and chromatin remodeling complexes

The organization of the eukaryotic genome into chromatin makes it inaccessible to the factors required for gene transcription and DNA replication, recombination, and repair. In addition to histone-modifying enzymes and ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes, which play key roles in regulating many nuclear processes by altering the chromatin structure, cells have developed a mechanism of modulating chromatin structure by incorporating histone variants. These variants are incorporated into specific regions of the genome throughout the cell cycle. H2A.Z, which is an evolutionarily conserved H2A variant, performs several seemingly unrelated and even contrary functions. Another H2A variant, H2A.X, plays a very important role in the cellular response to DNA damage. This review summarizes the recent developments in our understanding of the role of H2A.Z and H2A.X in the regulation of chromatin structure and function, focusing on their functional links with chromatin modifying and remodeling complexes.

Discriminating nucleosomes containing histone H2A.Z or H2A based on genetic and epigenetic information

BACKGROUND

Nucleosomes are nucleoproteic complexes, formed of eight histone molecules and DNA, and they are responsible for the compaction of the eukaryotic genome. Their presence on DNA influences many cellular processes, such as transcription, DNA replication, and DNA repair. The evolutionarily conserved histone variant H2A.Z alters nucleosome stability and is highly enriched at gene promoters. Its localization to specific genomic loci in human cells is presumed to depend either on the underlying DNA sequence or on a certain epigenetic modification pattern.

RESULTS

We analyzed the differences in histone post-translational modifications and DNA sequences near nucleosomes that do or do not contain H2A.Z. We show that both the epigenetic context and underlying sequences can be used to classify nucleosomal regions, with highly significant accuracy, as likely to either contain H2A.Z or canonical histone H2A. Furthermore, our models accurately recapitulate the observed nucleosome occupancy near the transcriptional start sites of human promoters.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that both genetic and epigenetic features are likely to participate in targeting H2A.Z to distinct chromatin loci.

The evolutionary differentiation of two histone H2A.Z variants in chordates (H2A.Z-1 and H2A.Z-2) is mediated by a stepwise mutation process that affects three amino acid residues

Background

The histone H2A family encompasses the greatest number of core histone variants of which the replacement variant H2A.Z is currently one of the most heavily studied. No clear mechanism for the functional variability that H2A.Z imparts to chromatin has yet been proposed. While most of the past studies have referred to H2A.Z generically as a single protein, in vertebrates it is a mixture of two protein forms H2A.Z-1 (previously H2A.Z) and H2A.Z-2 (previously H2A.F/Z or H2A.V) that differ by three amino acids.

Results

We have performed an extensive study on the long-term evolution of H2A.Z across metazoans with special emphasis on the possible selective mechanisms responsible for the differentiation between H2A.Z-1 and H2A.Z-2. Our results reveal a common origin of both forms early in chordate evolution. The evolutionary process responsible for the differentiation involves refined stepwise mutation change within the codons of the three differential residues. This eventually led to differences in the intensity of the selective constraints acting upon the different H2A.Z forms in vertebrates.

Conclusion

The results presented in this work definitively reveal that the existence of H2A.Z-1 and H2A.Z-2 is not a whim of random genetic drift. Our analyses demonstrate that H2A.Z-2 is not only subject to a strong purifying selection but it is significantly more evolutionarily constrained than H2A.Z-1. Whether or not the evolutionary drift between H2A.Z-1 and H2A.Z-2 has resulted in a functional diversification of these proteins awaits further research. Nevertheless, the present work suggests that in the process of their differently constrained evolutionary pathways, these two forms may have acquired new or complementary functions.

Enrichment and characterization of histones by two-dimensional hydroxyapatite/reversed-phase liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Here we report a novel two-dimensional liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (2D LC-MS) method that combines offline hydroxyapatite (HA) chromatography with online reversed-phase liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HA/RP LC-MS). The 2D LC-MS method was used to enrich and characterize histones and their posttranslational modifications. The 2D HA/RP LC-MS approach separates histones based on their relative binding affinity to DNA and relative hydrophobicity. HA/RP separations showed improvement in the number of histone isoforms detected as compared with one-dimensional RP LC-MS of acid-extracted histones. The improved histone fractionation resulted in better detection of lower abundant histone variants as well as their posttranslationally modified isoforms. Histones eluted from the HA/RP in the following order: H1, H2A/H2B heterodimers followed by H3/H4 heterotetramers, as predicted from their spatial organization in nucleosomes for binding affinity to DNA. Comparison between HA-purified and acid-extracted histones revealed similar histone profiles with the exception that the HA fractions showed a greater number of H1 isoforms. Two elution conditions were also examined: batch elution and salt gradient elution. Although both elution techniques were able to fractionate the histones sufficiently, the salt gradient approach has the most potential for purification of selected histone isoforms.

The genomic distribution and function of histone variant HTZ-1 during C. elegans embryogenesis

In all eukaryotes, histone variants are incorporated into a subset of nucleosomes to create functionally specialized regions of chromatin. One such variant, H2A.Z, replaces histone H2A and is required for development and viability in all animals tested to date. However, the function of H2A.Z in development remains unclear. Here, we use ChIP-chip, genetic mutation, RNAi, and immunofluorescence microscopy to interrogate the function of H2A.Z (HTZ-1) during embryogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans, a key model of metazoan development. We find that HTZ-1 is expressed in every cell of the developing embryo and is essential for normal development. The sites of HTZ-1 incorporation during embryogenesis reveal a genome wrought by developmental processes. HTZ-1 is incorporated upstream of 23% of C. elegans genes. While these genes tend to be required for development and occupied by RNA polymerase II, HTZ-1 incorporation does not specify a stereotypic transcription program. The data also provide evidence for unexpectedly widespread independent regulation of genes within operons during development; in 37% of operons, HTZ-1 is incorporated upstream of internally encoded genes. Fewer sites of HTZ-1 incorporation occur on the X chromosome relative to autosomes, which our data suggest is due to a paucity of developmentally important genes on X, rather than a direct function for HTZ-1 in dosage compensation. Our experiments indicate that HTZ-1 functions in establishing or maintaining an essential chromatin state at promoters regulated dynamically during C. elegans embryogenesis.

To fit within a cell's nucleus, DNA is wrapped around protein spools composed of the histones H3, H4, H2A, and H2B. One spool and the DNA wrapped around it are called a nucleosome, and all of the packaged DNA in a cell's nucleus is collectively called “chromatin.” Chromatin is important because it modulates access to information encoded in the underlying DNA. Spools with specialized functions can be created by replacing a typical histone component with a variant version of the histone protein. Here, we examine the distribution and function of the C. elegans histone H2A variant H2A.Z (called HTZ-1) during development. We demonstrate that HTZ-1 is required for proper development, and that embryos are dependent on a contribution of HTZ-1 from their mothers for survival. We mapped the location of HTZ-1 incorporation genome-wide and found that HTZ-1 binds upstream of 23% of genes, which tend to be genes that are essential for development and occupied by RNA polymerase. Fewer sites of HTZ-1 incorporation were found on the X chromosome, probably due to an under-representation of essential genes on X rather than a direct role for HTZ-1 in X-chromosome dosage compensation. Our study reveals how the genome is remodeled by HTZ-1 to allow the proper regulation of genes critical for development.

MBD4-mediated glycosylase activity on a chromatin template is enhanced by acetylation

The ability of the MBD4 glycosylase to excise a mismatched base from DNA has been assessed in vitro using DNA substrates with different extents of cytosine methylation, in the presence or absence of reconstituted nucleosomes. Despite the enhanced ability of MBD4 to bind to methylated cytosines, the efficiency of its glycosylase activity on T/G mismatches was slightly dependent on the extent of methylation of the DNA substrate. The reduction in activity caused by competitor DNA was likewise unaffected by the methylation status of the substrate or the competitor. Our results also show that MBD4 efficiently processed T/G mismatches within the nucleosome. Furthermore, the glycolytic activity of the enzyme was not affected by the positioning of the mismatch within the nucleosome. However, histone hyperacetylation facilitated the efficiency with which the bases were excised from the nucleosome templates, irrespective of the position of the mismatch relative to the pseudodyad axis of symmetry of the nucleosome.

sNASP, a histone H1-specific eukaryotic chaperone dimer that facilitates chromatin assembly

NASP has been described as a histone H1 chaperone in mammals. However, the molecular mechanisms involved have not yet been characterized. Here, we show that this protein is not only present in mammals but is widely distributed throughout eukaryotes both in its somatic and testicular forms. The secondary structure of the human somatic version consists mainly of clusters of alpha-helices and exists as a homodimer in solution. The protein binds nonspecifically to core histone H2A-H2B dimers and H3-H4 tetramers but only forms specific complexes with histone H1. The formation of the NASP-H1 complexes is mediated by the N- and C-terminal domains of histone H1 and does not involve the winged helix domain that is characteristic of linker histones. In vitro chromatin reconstitution experiments show that this protein facilitates the incorporation of linker histones onto nucleosome arrays and hence is a bona fide linker histone chaperone.

H2A.Z: view from the top

For a couple of decades the chromatin field has endured undeserved neglect. Indeed, what could be so exciting about a monotonous repeating structure whose purpose in life was to package DNA? Chromatin glamour is triumphantly back, due to the realization that chromatin is a major player in the regulation of gene expression and other nuclear processes that occur on the DNA template. The dynamics of the structure that regulates transcription is itself regulated by a variety of complex processes, including histone postsynthetic modifications, chromatin remodeling, and the use of nonallelic histone variants. This review is an attempt to understand the mechanisms of action of the evolutionarily conserved variant H2A.Z, a player with a variety of seemingly unrelated, even contrary, functions. This attempt was prompted by the recent avalanche of genome-wide studies that provide insights that were unthinkable until very recently.

Global dynamics of newly constructed oligonucleosomes of conventional and variant H2A.Z histone

Background

Complexes of nucleosomes, which often occur in the gene promoter areas, are one of the fundamental levels of chromatin organization and thus are important for transcription regulation. Investigating the dynamic structure of a single nucleosome as well as nucleosome complexes is important for understanding transcription within chromatin. In a previous work, we highlighted the influence of histone variants on the functional dynamics of a single nucleosome using normal mode analysis developed by Bahar et al. The present work further analyzes the dynamics of nucleosome complexes (nucleosome oligomers or oligonucleosomes) such as dimer, trimer and tetramer (beads on a string model) with conventional core histones as well as with the H2A.Z histone variant using normal mode analysis.

Results

The global dynamics of oligonucleosomes reveal larger amplitude of motion within the nucleosomes that contain the H2A.Z variant with in-planar and out-of-planar fluctuations as the common mode of relaxation. The docking region of H2A.Z and the L1:L1 interactions between H2A.Z monomers of nucleosome (that are responsible for the highly stable nucleosome containing variant H2A.Z-histone) are highly dynamic throughout the first two dynamic modes.

Conclusion

Dissection of the dynamics of oligonucleosomes discloses in-plane as well as out-of-plane fluctuations as the common mode of relaxation throughout the global motions. The dynamics of individual nucleosomes and the combination of the relaxation mechanisms expressed by the individual nucleosome are quite interesting and highly dependent on the number of nucleosome fragments present in the complexes. Distortions generated by the non-planar dynamics influence the DNA conformation, and hence the histone-DNA interactions significantly alter the dynamics of the DNA. The variant H2A.Z histone is a major source of weaker intra- and inter-molecular correlations resulting in more disordered motions.