A barcode screen for epigenetic regulators reveals a role for the NuB4/HAT-B histone acetyltransferase complex in histone turnover

Histone retention preserves epigenetic marks during heat stress-induced transcriptional memory in plants

Plants often experience recurrent stressful events, for example, during heat waves. They can be primed by heat stress (HS) to improve the survival of more severe heat stress conditions. At certain genes, sustained expression is induced for several days beyond the initial heat stress. This transcriptional memory is associated with hyper-methylation of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4me3), but it is unclear how this is maintained for extended periods. Here, we determined histone turnover by measuring the chromatin association of HS-induced histone H3.3. Genome-wide histone turnover was not homogenous; in particular, H3.3 was retained longer at heat stress memory genes compared to HS-induced non-memory genes during the memory phase. While low nucleosome turnover retained H3K4 methylation, methylation loss did not affect turnover, suggesting that low nucleosome turnover sustains H3K4 methylation, but not vice versa. Together, our results unveil the modulation of histone turnover as a mechanism to retain environmentally mediated epigenetic modifications.

The histone code of the fungal genus Aspergillus uncovered by evolutionary and proteomic analyses

Chemical modifications of DNA and histone proteins impact the organization of chromatin within the nucleus. Changes in these modifications, catalysed by different chromatin-modifying enzymes, influence chromatin organization, which in turn is thought to impact the spatial and temporal regulation of gene expression. While combinations of different histone modifications, the histone code, have been studied in several model species, we know very little about histone modifications in the fungal genus Aspergillus, whose members are generally well studied due to their importance as models in cell and molecular biology as well as their medical and biotechnological relevance. Here, we used phylogenetic analyses in 94 Aspergilli as well as other fungi to uncover the occurrence and evolutionary trajectories of enzymes and protein complexes with roles in chromatin modifications or regulation. We found that these enzymes and complexes are highly conserved in Aspergilli, pointing towards a complex repertoire of chromatin modifications. Nevertheless, we also observed few recent gene duplications or losses, highlighting Aspergillus species to further study the roles of specific chromatin modifications. SET7 (KMT6) and other components of PRC2 (Polycomb Repressive Complex 2), which is responsible for methylation on histone H3 at lysine 27 in many eukaryotes including fungi, are absent in Aspergilli as well as in closely related Penicillium species, suggesting that these lost the capacity for this histone modification. We corroborated our computational predictions by performing untargeted MS analysis of histone post-translational modifications in Aspergillus nidulans. This systematic analysis will pave the way for future research into the complexity of the histone code and its functional implications on genome architecture and gene regulation in fungi.

Rtt109 promotes nucleosome replacement ahead of the replication fork

DNA replication perturbs chromatin by triggering the eviction, replacement, and incorporation of nucleosomes. How this dynamic is orchestrated in time and space is poorly understood. Here, we apply a genetically encoded sensor for histone exchange to follow the time-resolved histone H3 exchange profile in budding yeast cells undergoing slow synchronous replication in nucleotide-limiting conditions. We find that new histones are incorporated not only behind, but also ahead of the replication fork. We provide evidence that Rtt109, the S-phase-induced acetyltransferase, stabilizes nucleosomes behind the fork but promotes H3 replacement ahead of the fork. Increased replacement ahead of the fork is independent of the primary Rtt109 acetylation target H3K56 and rather results from Vps75-dependent Rtt109 activity toward the H3 N terminus. Our results suggest that, at least under nucleotide-limiting conditions, selective incorporation of differentially modified H3s behind and ahead of the replication fork results in opposing effects on histone exchange, likely reflecting the distinct challenges for genome stability at these different regions.

Epigenetics Identifier screens reveal regulators of chromatin acylation and limited specificity of acylation antibodies

The collection of known posttranslational modifications (PTMs) has expanded rapidly with the identification of various non-acetyl histone lysine acylations, such as crotonylation, succinylation and butyrylation, yet their regulation is still not fully understood. Through an unbiased chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-based approach called Epigenetics-IDentifier (Epi-ID), we aimed to identify regulators of crotonylation, succinylation and butyrylation in thousands of yeast mutants simultaneously. However, highly correlative results led us to further investigate the specificity of the pan-K-acyl antibodies used in our Epi-ID studies. This revealed cross-reactivity and lack of specificity of pan-K-acyl antibodies in various assays. Our findings suggest that the antibodies might recognize histone acetylation in vivo, in addition to histone acylation, due to the vast overabundance of acetylation compared to other acylation modifications in cells. Consequently, our Epi-ID screen mostly identified factors affecting histone acetylation, including known (e.g. GCN5, HDA1, and HDA2) and unanticipated (MET7, MTF1, CLB3, and RAD26) factors, expanding the repertoire of acetylation regulators. Antibody-independent follow-up experiments on the Gcn5-Ada2-Ada3 (ADA) complex revealed that, in addition to acetylation and crotonylation, ADA has the ability to butyrylate histones. Thus, our Epi-ID screens revealed limits of using pan-K-acyl antibodies in epigenetics research, expanded the repertoire of regulators of histone acetylation, and attributed butyrylation activity to the ADA complex.

Application of Recombination -Induced Tag Exchange (RITE) to study histone dynamics in human cells

In eukaryotes, nucleosomes form a barrier to DNA templated reactions and must be dynamically disrupted to provide access to the genome. During nucleosome (re)assembly, histones can be replaced by new histones, erasing post-translational modifications. Measuring histone turnover in mammalian cells has mostly relied on inducible overexpression of histones, which may influence and distort natural histone deposition rates. We have previously used recombination-induced tag exchange (RITE) to study histone dynamics in budding yeast. RITE is a method to follow protein turnover by genetic switching of epitope tags using Cre recombinase and does not rely on inducible overexpression. Here, we applied RITE to study the dynamics of the replication-independent histone variant H3.3 in human cells. Epitope tag-switching could be readily detected upon induction of Cre-recombinase, enabling the monitoring old and new H3.3 in the same pool of cells. However, the rate of tag-switching was lower than in yeast cells. Analysis of histone H3.3 incorporation by chromatin immunoprecipitation did not recapitulate previously reported aspects of H3.3 dynamics such as high turnover rates in active promoters and enhancers. We hypothesize that asynchronous Cre-mediated DNA recombination in the cell population leads to a low time resolution of the H3.3-RITE system in human cells. We conclude that RITE enables the detection of old and new proteins in human cells and that the time-scale of tag-switching prevents the capture of high turnover events in a population of cells. Instead, RITE might be more suited for tracking long-lived histone proteins in human cells.

Inhibition of transcription leads to rewiring of locus-specific chromatin proteomes

Transcription of a chromatin template involves the concerted interaction of many different proteins and protein complexes. Analyses of specific factors showed that these interactions change during stress and upon developmental switches. However, how the binding of multiple factors at any given locus is coordinated has been technically challenging to investigate. Here we used Epi-Decoder in yeast to systematically decode, at one transcribed locus, the chromatin binding changes of hundreds of proteins in parallel upon perturbation of transcription. By taking advantage of improved Epi-Decoder libraries, we observed broad rewiring of local chromatin proteomes following chemical inhibition of RNA polymerase. Rapid reduction of RNA polymerase II binding was accompanied by reduced binding of many other core transcription proteins and gain of chromatin remodelers. In quiescent cells, where strong transcriptional repression is induced by physiological signals, eviction of the core transcriptional machinery was accompanied by the appearance of quiescent cell–specific repressors and rewiring of the interactions of protein-folding factors and metabolic enzymes. These results show that Epi-Decoder provides a powerful strategy for capturing the temporal binding dynamics of multiple chromatin proteins under varying conditions and cell states. The systematic and comprehensive delineation of dynamic local chromatin proteomes will greatly aid in uncovering protein–protein relationships and protein functions at the chromatin template.

Epi-ID: Systematic and Direct Screening for Chromatin Regulators in Yeast by Barcode-ChIP-Seq

The assembly and regulation of chromatin requires coordinated activity of multiple mechanisms. Many factors feed into signaling networks that control the epigenome of a cell. It is this complexity that makes understanding the layers of epigenetic regulation a challenge. Genetic screens have been indispensable for studying chromatin processes. However, they can be laborious and the readout for chromatin changes is often indirect. Epi-ID is a screening strategy in yeast that enables the direct assessment of chromatin status in thousands of gene mutants in parallel. Epi-ID takes advantage of DNA sequences called DNA barcodes that are introduced into a library of yeast knockout mutants at a common chromosomal location in the genome. Chromatin immunoprecipitation on pools of barcoded mutant strains followed by barcode counting by high throughput sequencing will report on the abundance of the chromatin mark of interest in each mutant strain. Epi-ID is applicable to a wide range of chromatin proteins and modifications that are present and can be immunoprecipitated at or around the barcoded region.

Functional Analysis of Hif1 Histone Chaperone in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The Hif1 protein in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisie is an evolutionarily conserved H3/H4-specific chaperone and a subunit of the nuclear Hat1 complex that catalyzes the acetylation of newly synthesized histone H4. Hif1, as well as its human homolog NASP, has been implicated in an array of chromatin-related processes including histone H3/H4 transport, chromatin assembly and DNA repair. In this study, we elucidate the functional aspects of Hif1. Initially we establish the wide distribution of Hif1 homologs with an evolutionarily conserved pattern of four tetratricopeptide repeats (TPR) motifs throughout the major fungal lineages and beyond. Subsequently, through targeted mutational analysis, we demonstrate that the acidic region that interrupts the TPR2 is essential for Hif1 physical interactions with the Hat1/Hat2-complex, Asf1, and with histones H3/H4. Furthermore, we provide evidence for the involvement of Hif1 in regulation of histone metabolism by showing that cells lacking HIF1 are both sensitive to histone H3 over expression, as well as synthetic lethal with a deletion of histone mRNA regulator LSM1. We also show that a basic patch present at the extreme C-terminus of Hif1 is essential for its proper nuclear localization. Finally, we describe a physical interaction with a transcriptional regulatory protein Spt2, possibly linking Hif1 and the Hat1 complex to transcription-associated chromatin reassembly. Taken together, our results provide novel mechanistic insights into Hif1 functions and establish it as an important protein in chromatin-associated processes.

Direct screening for chromatin status on DNA barcodes in yeast delineates the regulome of H3K79 methylation by Dot1

Given the frequent misregulation of chromatin in cancer, it is important to understand the cellular mechanisms that regulate chromatin structure. However, systematic screening for epigenetic regulators is challenging and often relies on laborious assays or indirect reporter read-outs. Here we describe a strategy, Epi-ID, to directly assess chromatin status in thousands of mutants. In Epi-ID, chromatin status on DNA barcodes is interrogated by chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by deep sequencing, allowing for quantitative comparison of many mutants in parallel. Screening of a barcoded yeast knock-out collection for regulators of histone H3K79 methylation by Dot1 identified all known regulators as well as novel players and processes. These include histone deposition, homologous recombination, and adenosine kinase, which influences the methionine cycle. Gcn5, the acetyltransferase within the SAGA complex, was found to regulate histone methylation and H2B ubiquitination. The concept of Epi-ID is widely applicable and can be readily applied to other chromatin features.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.18919.001

To fit into the nucleus of eukaryotic cells (which include plant, animal and yeast cells), DNA wraps around histone proteins to form a structure called chromatin. Histones can be modified by a variety of chemical tags, which affect how easily nearby DNA can be accessed by other molecules in the cell. These modifications therefore help to control the activity of the genes encoded in the DNA and other key processes such as DNA repair.

If histone modifications are not regulated correctly, diseases such as cancer may result. Enzymes generally perform the actual modification, but there is another layer of regulation that controls the activity of these enzymes that not much is known about.

The activity of an enzyme that performs a histone modification known as H3K79 methylation (which involves a methyl chemical group being added to a particular region of a particular histone protein) has been linked to some forms of leukemia. Collections of mutant yeast cells can be used to identify the factors that regulate histone modifications in both yeast and human cells. However, current methods that screen for these regulators are time consuming.

To make the search for histone modification regulators more efficient, Vlaming et al. developed a new screening procedure called Epi-ID that can measure the amount of a specific histone modification in thousands of budding yeast mutants at the same time. In Epi-ID, each mutant yeast cell has a unique DNA sequence, or “barcode”. The mutant cells are mixed together and the barcodes that are modified by a particular histone modification – such as H3K79 methylation – are isolated and then counted using a DNA sequencing technique. A high barcode count of a certain mutant indicates that more of the histone modification occurs in that mutant.

Using Epi-ID to survey H3K79 methylation enabled Vlaming et al. to successfully identify all previously known H3K79 methylation regulators, as well several new ones. These new regulators included enzymes that deposit histones on DNA, that carry out DNA repair, and that modify or de-modify histone proteins. To move forward with the newly identified regulators, it will be important to analyze how they control H3K79 methylation in yeast cells and to determine whether the regulators also control H3K79 methylation in human cells.

Finally, Epi-ID can be used to identify regulators of other types of histone modifications. A better understanding of chromatin regulation – and H3K79 methylation regulation in particular – can increase our understanding of diseases in which chromatin is deregulated, and may yield new strategies for the treatment of such diseases.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.18919.002

The Paf1 complex factors Leo1 and Paf1 promote local histone turnover to modulate chromatin states in fission yeast

The maintenance of open and repressed chromatin states is crucial for the regulation of gene expression. To study the genes involved in maintaining chromatin states, we generated a random mutant library in Schizosaccharomyces pombe and monitored the silencing of reporter genes inserted into the euchromatic region adjacent to the heterochromatic mating type locus. We show that Leo1–Paf1 [a subcomplex of the RNA polymerase II‐associated factor 1 complex (Paf1C)] is required to prevent the spreading of heterochromatin into euchromatin by mapping the heterochromatin mark H3K9me2 using high‐resolution genomewide ChIP (ChIP–exo). Loss of Leo1–Paf1 increases heterochromatin stability at several facultative heterochromatin loci in an RNAi‐independent manner. Instead, deletion of Leo1 decreases nucleosome turnover, leading to heterochromatin stabilization. Our data reveal that Leo1–Paf1 promotes chromatin state fluctuations by enhancing histone turnover.

The yeast histone chaperone hif1p functions with RNA in nucleosome assembly

BACKGROUND

Hif1p is an H3/H4-specific histone chaperone that associates with the nuclear form of the Hat1p/Hat2p complex (NuB4 complex) in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. While not capable of depositing histones onto DNA on its own, Hif1p can act in conjunction with a yeast cytosolic extract to assemble nucleosomes onto a relaxed circular plasmid.

RESULTS

To identify the factor(s) that function with Hif1p to carry out chromatin assembly, multiple steps of column chromatography were carried out to fractionate the yeast cytosolic extract. Analysis of partially purified fractions indicated that Hif1p-dependent chromatin assembly activity resided in RNA rather than protein. Fractionation of isolated RNA indicated that the chromatin assembly activity did not simply purify with bulk RNA. In addition, the RNA-mediated chromatin assembly activity was blocked by mutations in the human homolog of Hif1p, sNASP, that prevent the association of this histone chaperone with histone H3 and H4 without altering its electrostatic properties.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that specific RNA species may function in concert with histone chaperones to assemble chromatin.

Regulation of histone gene transcription in yeast

Histones are the primary protein component of chromatin, the mixture of DNA and proteins that packages the genetic material in eukaryotes. Large amounts of histones are required during the S phase of the cell cycle when genome replication occurs. However, ectopic expression of histones during other cell cycle phases is toxic; thus, histone expression is restricted to the S phase and is tightly regulated at multiple levels, including transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational, and post-translational. In this review, we discuss mechanisms of regulation of histone gene expression with emphasis on the transcriptional regulation of the replication-dependent histone genes in the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Recombination-induced tag exchange (RITE) cassette series to monitor protein dynamics in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Proteins are not static entities. They are highly mobile, and their steady-state levels are achieved by a balance between ongoing synthesis and degradation. The dynamic properties of a protein can have important consequences for its function. For example, when a protein is degraded and replaced by a newly synthesized one, posttranslational modifications are lost and need to be reincorporated in the new molecules. Protein stability and mobility are also relevant for the duplication of macromolecular structures or organelles, which involves coordination of protein inheritance with the synthesis and assembly of newly synthesized proteins. To measure protein dynamics, we recently developed a genetic pulse-chase assay called recombination-induced tag exchange (RITE). RITE has been successfully used in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to measure turnover and inheritance of histone proteins, to study changes in posttranslational modifications on aging proteins, and to visualize the spatiotemporal inheritance of protein complexes and organelles in dividing cells. Here we describe a series of successful RITE cassettes that are designed for biochemical analyses, genomics studies, as well as single cell fluorescence applications. Importantly, the genetic nature and the stability of the tag switch offer the unique possibility to combine RITE with high-throughput screening for protein dynamics mutants and mechanisms. The RITE cassettes are widely applicable, modular by design, and can therefore be easily adapted for use in other cell types or organisms.

Histone acetyltransferase 1 promotes homologous recombination in DNA repair by facilitating histone turnover

Faithful repair of DNA double-strand breaks is vital to the maintenance of genome integrity and proper cell functions. Histone modifications, such as reversible acetylation, phosphorylation, methylation, and ubiquitination, which collectively contribute to the establishment of distinct chromatin states, play important roles in the recruitment of repair factors to the sites of double-strand breaks. Here we report that histone acetyltransferase 1 (HAT1), a classical B type histone acetyltransferase responsible for acetylating the N-terminal tail of newly synthesized histone H4 in the cytoplasm, is a key regulator of DNA repair by homologous recombination in the nucleus. We found that HAT1 is required for the incorporation of H4K5/K12-acetylated H3.3 at sites of double-strand breaks through its HIRA-dependent histone turnover activity. Incorporated histones with specific chemical modifications facilitate subsequent recruitment of RAD51, a key repair factor in mammalian cells, to promote efficient homologous recombination. Significantly, depletion of HAT1 sensitized cells to DNA damage compromised the global chromatin structure, inhibited cell proliferation, and induced cell apoptosis. Our experiments uncovered a role for HAT1 in DNA repair in higher eukaryotic organisms and provide a mechanistic insight into the regulation of histone dynamics by HAT1.

Sites of acetylation on newly synthesized histone H4 are required for chromatin assembly and DNA damage response signaling

The best-characterized acetylation of newly synthesized histone H4 is the diacetylation of the NH2-terminal tail on lysines 5 and 12. Despite its evolutionary conservation, this pattern of modification has not been shown to be essential for either viability or chromatin assembly in any model organism. We demonstrate that mutations in histone H4 lysines 5 and 12 in yeast confer hypersensitivity to replication stress and DNA-damaging agents when combined with mutations in histone H4 lysine 91, which has also been found to be a site of acetylation on soluble histone H4. In addition, these mutations confer a dramatic decrease in cell viability when combined with mutations in histone H3 lysine 56. We also show that mutation of the sites of acetylation on newly synthesized histone H4 results in defects in the reassembly of chromatin structure that accompanies the repair of HO-mediated double-strand breaks. This defect is not due to a decrease in the level of histone H3 lysine 56 acetylation. Intriguingly, mutations that alter the sites of newly synthesized histone H4 acetylation display a marked decrease in levels of phosphorylated H2A (γ-H2AX) in chromatin surrounding the double-strand break. These results indicate that the sites of acetylation on newly synthesized histones H3 and H4 can function in nonoverlapping ways that are required for chromatin assembly, viability, and DNA damage response signaling.

Histone acetyl transferase 1 is essential for mammalian development, genome stability, and the processing of newly synthesized histones H3 and H4

Histone acetyltransferase 1 is an evolutionarily conserved type B histone acetyltransferase that is thought to be responsible for the diacetylation of newly synthesized histone H4 on lysines 5 and 12 during chromatin assembly. To understand the function of this enzyme in a complex organism, we have constructed a conditional mouse knockout model of Hat1. Murine Hat1 is essential for viability, as homozygous deletion of Hat1 results in neonatal lethality. The lungs of embryos and pups genetically deficient in Hat1 were much less mature upon histological evaluation. The neonatal lethality is due to severe defects in lung development that result in less aeration and respiratory distress. Many of the Hat1^−/− neonates also display significant craniofacial defects with abnormalities in the bones of the skull and jaw. Hat1^−/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) are defective in cell proliferation and are sensitive to DNA damaging agents. In addition, the Hat1^−/− MEFs display a marked increase in genome instability. Analysis of histone dynamics at sites of replication-coupled chromatin assembly demonstrates that Hat1 is not only responsible for the acetylation of newly synthesized histone H4 but is also required to maintain the acetylation of histone H3 on lysines 9, 18, and 27 during replication-coupled chromatin assembly.

The packaging of genomic DNA during replication is a highly orchestrated process. An important aspect of chromatin assembly is the processing of newly synthesized histones prior to their incorporation into chromatin. The transient acetylation of histone H3 and H4 NH₂-terminal tails is a hallmark of this processing with newly synthesized molecules of histone H4 being predominantly diacetylated. This diacetylation occurs specifically on lysine residues 5 and 12 and this precise pattern is widely conserved throughout eukaryotic evolution. The acetylation of newly synthesized histones is catalyzed by type B histone acetyltransferases. Hat1 is the founding member of this class of enzymes and has been proposed to be responsible for the diacetylation of newly synthesized histone H4. Here we describe the development of a mouse knockout model of Hat1. The absence of Hat1 results in neonatal lethality due to developmental defects in the lung. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts derived from Hat1^−/− mice are sensitive to DNA damaging agents and display a high level of genome instability. Biochemical analyses provide definitive evidence that Hat1 is the sole enzyme responsible for the acetylation of newly synthesized histone H4. Surprisingly, Hat1 is also necessary for the normal processing of newly synthesized histone H3.

Identification of gene sets and pathways associated with lactation performance in mice

Mammary transcriptome analyses across the lactation cycle and transgenic animal studies have identified candidate genes for mammogenesis, lactogenesis and involution; however, there is a lack of information on pathways that contribute to lactation performance. Previously we have shown significant differences in lactation performance, mammary gland histology, and gene expression profiles during lactation [lactation day 9 (L9)] between CBA/CaH (CBA) and the superior performing QSi5 strains of mice. In the present study, we compared these strains at midpregnancy [pregnancy day 12 (P12)] and utilized these data along with data from a 14th generation of intercross (AIL) to develop an integrative analysis of lactation performance. Additional analysis by quantitative reverse transcription PCR examined the correlation between expression profiles of lactation candidate genes and lactation performance across six inbred strains of mice. The analysis demonstrated that the mammary epithelial content per unit area was similar between CBA and QSi5 mice at P12, while differential expression was detected in 354 mammary genes (false discovery rate < 0.1). Gene ontology and functional annotation analyses showed that functional annotation terms associated with cell division and proliferation were the most enriched in the differentially expressed genes between these two strains at P12. Further analysis revealed that genes associated with neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and calcium signaling pathways were significantly upregulated and positively correlated with lactation performance, while genes associated with cell cycle and DNA replication pathways were downregulated and positively correlated with lactation performance. There was also a significant negative correlation between Grb10 expression and lactation performance. In summary, using an integrative genomic approach we have identified key genes and pathways associated with lactation performance.

Spatiotemporal analysis of organelle and macromolecular complex inheritance

Following mitosis, daughter cells must inherit a functional set of essential proteins and organelles. We applied a genetic tool to simultaneously monitor the kinetics and distribution of old and new proteins marking all intracellular compartments in budding yeasts. Most organelles followed a general pattern whereby preexisting proteins are symmetrically partitioned followed by template-based incorporation of new proteins. Peroxisomes belong to this group, supporting a model of biogenesis by growth and division from preexisting peroxisomes. We detected two exceptions: the nuclear pore complex (NPC) and the spindle pole body (SPB). Old NPCs are stably inherited during successive generations but remained separated from new NPCs, which are incorporated de novo in mother and daughter cells. Only the SPB displayed asymmetrical distribution, with old components primarily inherited by daughter cells and new proteins equally incorporated in both cells. Our analysis resolves conflicting models (peroxisomes, NPC) and reveals unique patterns (NPC, SPB) of organelle inheritance.

Systematic dissection of roles for chromatin regulators in a yeast stress response

Systematic functional and mapping studies of histone modifications in yeast show that most chromatin regulators are more important for dynamic transcriptional reprogramming than for steady-state gene expression.

Packaging of eukaryotic genomes into chromatin has wide-ranging effects on gene transcription. Curiously, it is commonly observed that deletion of a global chromatin regulator affects expression of only a limited subset of genes bound to or modified by the regulator in question. However, in many single-gene studies it has become clear that chromatin regulators often do not affect steady-state transcription, but instead are required for normal transcriptional reprogramming by environmental cues. We therefore have systematically investigated the effects of 83 histone mutants, and 119 gene deletion mutants, on induction/repression dynamics of 170 transcripts in response to diamide stress in yeast. Importantly, we find that chromatin regulators play far more pronounced roles during gene induction/repression than they do in steady-state expression. Furthermore, by jointly analyzing the substrates (histone mutants) and enzymes (chromatin modifier deletions) we identify specific interactions between histone modifications and their regulators. Combining these functional results with genome-wide mapping of several histone marks in the same time course, we systematically investigated the correspondence between histone modification occurrence and function. We followed up on one pathway, finding that Set1-dependent H3K4 methylation primarily acts as a gene repressor during multiple stresses, specifically at genes involved in ribosome biosynthesis. Set1-dependent repression of ribosomal genes occurs via distinct pathways for ribosomal protein genes and ribosomal biogenesis genes, which can be separated based on genetic requirements for repression and based on chromatin changes during gene repression. Together, our dynamic studies provide a rich resource for investigating chromatin regulation, and identify a significant role for the “activating” mark H3K4me3 in gene repression.

Chromatin packaging of eukaryotic genomes has wideranging, yet poorly understood, effects on gene regulation. Curiously, many histone modifications occur on the majority of genes, yet their loss typically affects a small subset of those genes. Here, we examine gene expression defects in 200 chromatin-related mutants during a stress response, finding that chromatin regulators have far greater effects on the dynamics of gene expression than on the steady-state transcription. By grouping mutants according to their shared defects in the stress response, we systematically recover known chromatin-related complexes and pathways, and predict several novel pathways. Finally, by integrating genome-wide changes in the locations of five prominent histone modifications during the stress response with our functional data, we uncover a novel role for the “activating” histone modification H3K4me3 in gene repression. Surprisingly, H3K4 methylation appears to act in conjunction with H3S10 phosphorylation in the repression of ribosomal biosynthesis genes. Repression of ribosomal protein genes and ribosomal RNA maturation genes occur via distinct pathways. Our results show that steady-state studies miss a great deal of important chromatin biology, and identify a surprising role for H3K4 methylation in ribosomal gene repression in yeast.

A key role for Chd1 in histone H3 dynamics at the 3' ends of long genes in yeast

Chd proteins are ATP–dependent chromatin remodeling enzymes implicated in biological functions from transcriptional elongation to control of pluripotency. Previous studies of the Chd1 subclass of these proteins have implicated them in diverse roles in gene expression including functions during initiation, elongation, and termination. Furthermore, some evidence has suggested a role for Chd1 in replication-independent histone exchange or assembly. Here, we examine roles of Chd1 in replication-independent dynamics of histone H3 in both Drosophila and yeast. We find evidence of a role for Chd1 in H3 dynamics in both organisms. Using genome-wide ChIP-on-chip analysis, we find that Chd1 influences histone turnover at the 5′ and 3′ ends of genes, accelerating H3 replacement at the 5′ ends of genes while protecting the 3′ ends of genes from excessive H3 turnover. Although consistent with a direct role for Chd1 in exchange, these results may indicate that Chd1 stabilizes nucleosomes perturbed by transcription. Curiously, we observe a strong effect of gene length on Chd1's effects on H3 turnover. Finally, we show that Chd1 also affects histone modification patterns over genes, likely as a consequence of its effects on histone replacement. Taken together, our results emphasize a role for Chd1 in histone replacement in both budding yeast and Drosophila melanogaster, and surprisingly they show that the major effects of Chd1 on turnover occur at the 3′ ends of genes.

Nucleosomes prevent transcription by interfering with transcription factor binding at the beginning of genes and blocking elongating RNA polymerase II across the bodies of genes. To overcome this repression, regulatory proteins move, remove, or structurally alter nucleosomes, allowing the transcription machinery access to gene sequences. Over the body of a gene, it is important that nucleosome structure be restored after a polymerase has passed by; failure to do so may lead to activation of transcription from internal gene sequences. Interestingly, although nucleosomes constantly move on and off of promoters, they are relatively stable over the bodies of genes. Thus, the same nucleosomes that are removed to allow a polymerase to pass by must be reassembled in its wake. Here, we examine the role of an ATP–dependent chromatin remodeling protein, Chd1, in regulating nucleosome dynamics. We find that Chd1 is important for exchange of the histone H3 in both yeast and Drosophila and that, surprisingly, while it promotes exchange of histones at the beginning of genes, it prevents exchange at the ends of genes. Finally, we show that Chd1 helps determine the characteristic pattern of chemical modifications of histone H3 found over actively transcribed gene sequences.