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

Unraveling Histone Loss in Aging and Senescence

As the global population experiences a notable surge in aging demographics, the need to understand the intricate molecular pathways exacerbated by age-related stresses, including epigenetic dysregulation, becomes a priority. Epigenetic mechanisms play a critical role in driving age-related diseases through altered gene expression, genomic instability, and irregular chromatin remodeling. In this review, we focus on histones, a central component of the epigenome, and consolidate the key findings of histone loss and genome-wide redistribution as fundamental processes contributing to aging and senescence. The review provides insights into novel histone expression profiles, nucleosome occupancy, disruptions in higher-order chromatin architecture, and the emergence of noncanonical histone variants in the aging cellular landscape. Furthermore, we explore the current state of our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of histone deficiency in aging cells. Specific emphasis is placed on highlighting histone degradation pathways in the cell and studies that have explored potential strategies to mitigate histone loss or restore histone levels in aging cells. Finally, in addressing future perspectives, the insights gained from this review hold profound implications for advancing strategies that actively intervene in modulating histone expression profiles in the context of cellular aging and identifying potential therapeutic targets for alleviating a multitude of age-related diseases.

Modus operandi: Chromatin recognition by α-helical histone readers

Histone reader domains provide a mechanism for sensing states of coordinated nuclear processes marked by histone proteins' post-translational modifications (PTMs). Among a growing number of discovered histone readers, the 14-3-3s, ankyrin repeat domains (ARDs), tetratricopeptide repeats (TPRs), bromodomains (BRDs), and HEAT domains are a group of domains using various mechanisms to recognize unmodified or modified histones, yet they all are composed of an α-helical fold. In this review, we compare how these readers fold to create protein domains that are very diverse in their tertiary structures, giving rise to intriguing peptide binding mechanisms resulting in vastly different footprints of their targets.

Cathepsin V regulates cell cycle progression and histone stability in the nucleus of breast cancer cells

Introduction: We previously identified that Cathepsin V (CTSV) expression is associated with poor prognosis in ER+ breast cancer, particularly within the Luminal A subtype. Examination of the molecular role of the protease within Luminal A tumours, revealed that CTSV promotes tumour cell invasion and proliferation, in addition to degradation of the luminal transcription factor, GATA3, via the proteasome. Methods: Cell line models expressing CTSV shRNA or transfected to overexpress CTSV were used to examine the impact of CTSV on cell proliferation by MTT assay and flow cytometry. Western blotting analysis was used to identify the impact of CTSV on histone and chaperone protein expression. Cell fractionation and confocal microscopy was used to illustrate the presence of CTSV in the nuclear compartment. Results: In this work we have identified that CTSV has an impact on breast cancer cell proliferation, with CTSV depleted cells exhibiting delayed progression through the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. Further investigation has revealed that CTSV can control nuclear expression levels of histones H3 and H4 via regulating protein expression of their chaperone sNASP. We have discovered that CTSV is localised to the nuclear compartment in breast tumour cells, mediated by a bipartite nuclear localisation signal (NLS) within the CTSV sequence and that nuclear CTSV is required for cell cycle progression and histone stability in breast tumour cells. Discussion: Collectively these findings support the hypothesis that targeting CTSV may have utility as a novel therapeutic target in ER+ breast cancer by impairing cell cycle progression via manipulating histone stabilisation.

Cyclin E/CDK2 and feedback from soluble histone protein regulate the S phase burst of histone biosynthesis

Faithful DNA replication requires that cells fine-tune their histone pool in coordination with cell-cycle progression. Replication-dependent histone biosynthesis is initiated at a low level upon cell-cycle commitment, followed by a burst at the G1/S transition, but it remains unclear how exactly the cell regulates this burst in histone biosynthesis as DNA replication begins. Here, we use single-cell time-lapse imaging to elucidate the mechanisms by which cells modulate histone production during different phases of the cell cycle. We find that CDK2-mediated phosphorylation of NPAT at the restriction point triggers histone transcription, which results in a burst of histone mRNA precisely at the G1/S phase boundary. Excess soluble histone protein further modulates histone abundance by promoting the degradation of histone mRNA for the duration of S phase. Thus, cells regulate their histone production in strict coordination with cell-cycle progression by two distinct mechanisms acting in concert.

Cyclin E/CDK2 and feedback from soluble histone protein regulate the S phase burst of histone biosynthesis

Faithful DNA replication requires that cells fine-tune their histone pool in coordination with cell-cycle progression. Replication-dependent histone biosynthesis is initiated at a low level upon cell-cycle commitment, followed by a burst at the G1/S transition, but it remains unclear how exactly the cell regulates this change in histone biosynthesis as DNA replication begins. Here, we use single-cell timelapse imaging to elucidate the mechanisms by which cells modulate histone production during different phases of the cell cycle. We find that CDK2-mediated phosphorylation of NPAT at the Restriction Point triggers histone transcription, which results in a burst of histone mRNA precisely at the G1/S phase boundary. Excess soluble histone protein further modulates histone abundance by promoting the degradation of histone mRNA for the duration of S phase. Thus, cells regulate their histone production in strict coordination with cell-cycle progression by two distinct mechanisms acting in concert.

Structural basis for histone H3 recognition by NASP in Arabidopsis

The structural basis for histone recognition by the histone chaperone nuclear autoantigenic sperm protein (NASP) remains largely unclear. Here, we showed that Arabidopsis thaliana AtNASP is a monomer and displays robust nucleosome assembly activity in vitro. Examining the structure of AtNASP complexed with a histone H3 α3 peptide revealed a binding mode that is conserved in human NASP. AtNASP recognizes the H3 N-terminal region distinct from human NASP. Moreover, AtNASP forms a co-chaperone complex with ANTI-SILENCING FUNCTION 1 (ASF1) by binding to the H3 N-terminal region. Therefore, we deciphered the structure of AtNASP and the basis of the AtNASP-H3 interaction.

Structural Mechanism of TAF-Iβ Chaperone Function on Linker Histone H1.10

Linker histone H1, facilitated by its chaperones, plays an essential role in regulating gene expression by maintaining chromatin's higher-order structure and epigenetic state. However, we know little about the structural mechanism of how the chaperones recognize linker histones and conduct their function. Here, we used biophysical and biochemical methods to investigate the recognition of human linker histone isoform H1.10 by the TAF-Iβ chaperone. Both H1.10 and TAF-Iβ proteins consist of folded cores and disordered tails. We found that H1.10 formed a complex with TAF-Iβ in a 2:2 stoichiometry. Using distance restraints obtained from methyl-TROSY NMR and spin labels, we built a structural model for the core region of the complex. In the model, the TAF-Iβ core interacts with the globular domain of H1.10 mainly through electrostatic interactions. We confirmed the interactions by measuring the effects of mutations on the binding affinity. A comparison of our structural model with the chromatosome structure shows that TAF-Iβ blocks the DNA binding sites of H1.10. Our study provides insights into the structural mechanism whereby TAF-Iβ functions as a chaperone by preventing H1.10 from interacting with DNA directly.

NASP maintains histone H3-H4 homeostasis through two distinct H3 binding modes

Histone chaperones regulate all aspects of histone metabolism. NASP is a major histone chaperone for H3–H4 dimers critical for preventing histone degradation. Here, we identify two distinct histone binding modes of NASP and reveal how they cooperate to ensure histone H3–H4 supply. We determine the structures of a sNASP dimer, a complex of a sNASP dimer with two H3 α3 peptides, and the sNASP–H3–H4–ASF1b co-chaperone complex. This captures distinct functionalities of NASP and identifies two distinct binding modes involving the H3 α3 helix and the H3 αN region, respectively. Functional studies demonstrate the H3 αN-interaction represents the major binding mode of NASP in cells and shielding of the H3 αN region by NASP is essential in maintaining the H3–H4 histone soluble pool. In conclusion, our studies uncover the molecular basis of NASP as a major H3–H4 chaperone in guarding histone homeostasis.

Somatic nuclear auto-antigenic sperm protein sensitizes human breast cancer cells to 5-Fluorouracil

PURPOSE

To assess the potential role of nuclear auto-antigenic sperm protein (NASP) in the cellular sensitivity to 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) in breast cancer cells.

METHODS

The expression of two NASP isotypes, namely somatic NASP (sNASP) and testis NASP (tNASP) in breast cancer lines were detected under 5-FU treatment using real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot assays. NASP effect on cellular viability and apoptosis under 5-FU treatment were evaluated. The interaction between NASP and its downstream proteins were evaluated using the co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assays.

RESULTS

5-FU significantly decreased the mRNA and protein expression levels of sNASP. Inhibition of sNASP increased cellular viability, colony formation ability, but reduced apoptosis in tested cell lines in response to 5-FU, which were reversed by sNASP over-expression. Further study reveals 5-FU disrupts sNASP/TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) complex, potentiates cellular sensitivity to 5-FU via NK-kB.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest sNASP is a novel molecular target having potential to overcome the resistance to 5-FU in breast cancer cells.

Distinct histone H3-H4 binding modes of sNASP reveal the basis for cooperation and competition of histone chaperones

In this study, Liu et al. investigated how sNASP binds H3–H4 in the presence and absence of ASF1, two major histone H3–H4 chaperones found in distinct and common complexes, during chromosomal duplication. They show that, in the presence of ASF1, sNASP principally recognizes a partially unfolded Nα region of histone H3, and in the absence of ASF1, an additional sNASP binding site becomes available in the core domain of the H3–H4 complex, providing new mechanistic insights into coordinated histone binding and transfer by histone chaperones.

Chromosomal duplication requires de novo assembly of nucleosomes from newly synthesized histones, and the process involves a dynamic network of interactions between histones and histone chaperones. sNASP and ASF1 are two major histone H3–H4 chaperones found in distinct and common complexes, yet how sNASP binds H3–H4 in the presence and absence of ASF1 remains unclear. Here we show that, in the presence of ASF1, sNASP principally recognizes a partially unfolded Nα region of histone H3, and in the absence of ASF1, an additional sNASP binding site becomes available in the core domain of the H3–H4 complex. Our study also implicates a critical role of the C-terminal tail of H4 in the transfer of H3–H4 between sNASP and ASF1 and the coiled-coil domain of sNASP in nucleosome assembly. These findings provide mechanistic insights into coordinated histone binding and transfer by histone chaperones.

A Variant of sNASP Exacerbates Lymphocyte Subset Disorder and Nephritis in a Spontaneous Lupus Model Sle1.Yaa Mouse

A variant of somatic nuclear autoantigenic sperm protein (sNASP) was identified from the murine lupus susceptibility locus Sle2c1 by whole exome sequencing (WES). Previous studies have shown that mutant sNASP could synergize with the Fas^lpr mutation in exacerbating autoimmunity and aggravating end-organ inflammation. In the current study, the sNASP mutation was introduced into Sle1.Yaa mice to detect whether it has a synergistic effect with Sle1 or Yaa loci. As expected, compared with Sle1.Yaa mice, Sle1.Yaa.ΔsNASP mice showed enlarged lymph nodes, aggravated renal inflammation, and shortened survival time. The proportions of CD3⁺ T cells, activated CD19⁺CD86⁺ B cells, Th1 cells in the spleen and lymph nodes, and Th17 cells in lymph nodes in Sle1.Yaa.ΔsNASP mice were increased compared to those in Sle1.Yaa mice. The levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α in the serum of Sle1.Yaa.ΔsNASP mice were higher than those of Sle1.Yaa mice. The above results show that mutant sNASP can interact with different lupus susceptibility genes and promote the disease process of systemic lupus erythematosus.

CAF-1 and Rtt101p function within the replication-coupled chromatin assembly network to promote H4 K16ac, preventing ectopic silencing

Replication-coupled chromatin assembly is achieved by a network of alternate pathways containing different chromatin assembly factors and histone-modifying enzymes that coordinate deposition of nucleosomes at the replication fork. Here we describe the organization of a CAF-1-dependent pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that regulates acetylation of histone H4 K16. We demonstrate factors that function in this CAF-1-dependent pathway are important for preventing establishment of silenced states at inappropriate genomic sites using a crippled HMR locus as a model, while factors specific to other assembly pathways do not. This CAF-1-dependent pathway required the cullin Rtt101p, but was functionally distinct from an alternate pathway involving Rtt101p-dependent ubiquitination of histone H3 and the chromatin assembly factor Rtt106p. A major implication from this work is that cells have the inherent ability to create different chromatin modification patterns during DNA replication via differential processing and deposition of histones by distinct chromatin assembly pathways within the network.

Histone acetyltransferase 1 is required for DNA replication fork function and stability

The replisome is a protein complex on the DNA replication fork and functions in a dynamic environment at the intersection of parental and nascent chromatin. Parental nucleosomes are disrupted in front of the replication fork. The daughter DNA duplexes are packaged with an equal amount of parental and newly synthesized histones in the wake of the replication fork through the activity of the replication-coupled chromatin assembly pathway. Histone acetyltransferase 1 (HAT1) is responsible for the cytosolic diacetylation of newly synthesized histone H4 on lysines 5 and 12, which accompanies replication-coupled chromatin assembly. Here, using proximity ligation assay-based chromatin assembly assays and DNA fiber analysis, we analyzed the role of murine HAT1 in replication-coupled chromatin assembly. We demonstrate that HAT1 physically associates with chromatin near DNA replication sites. We found that the association of HAT1 with newly replicated DNA is transient, but can be stabilized by replication fork stalling. The association of HAT1 with nascent chromatin may be functionally relevant, as HAT1 loss decreased replication fork progression and increased replication fork stalling. Moreover, in the absence of HAT1, stalled replication forks were unstable, and newly synthesized DNA became susceptible to MRE11-dependent degradation. These results suggest that HAT1 links replication fork function to the proper processing and assembly of newly synthesized histones.

A Variant of the Histone-Binding Protein sNASP Contributes to Mouse Lupus

The Sle2c1rec1c (rec1c) sublocus is derived from the mouse lupus susceptibility 2 (Sle2) locus identified in the NZM2410 model. Our current study dissected the functional characters and the genetic basis of the rec1c locus relative to lupus when co-expressed with the Fas^lpr mutation, an established inducer of autoimmunity. The rec1c.lpr mice exhibited mild expansion of lymph nodes and had a normal T cell cellularity, but developed significantly kidney and lung inflammation, indicating that the rec1c amplifies lpr-induced autoimmune pathogenesis. A variant of somatic nuclear autoantigenic sperm protein (sNASP) was identified from the rec1c interval as a substitution of two consecutive amino acid residues in the histone-binding domain, resulting in an increased binding affinity to histone H4 and H3.1/H4 tetramer. To determine the role of the sNASP rec1c allele in mouse lupus, a novel strain was generated by introducing the rec1c mutations into the B6 genome. In this transgenic model, the sNASP allele synergized with the lpr mutation leading to moderate autoimmune phenotypes and aggravating inflammatory pathology alterations in kidney and lung that were similar to those observed in the rec1c.lpr mice. These results establish that the sNASP allele is a pathogenic genetic element in the rec1c sublocus, which not only promotes autoimmunity, but also exacerbates the inflammation reaction of end organs in mouse lupus pathogenesis. It also shows the complexity of the Sle2c locus, initially mapped as the major locus associated with B1a cell expansion. In addition to Cdkn2c, which regulates this expansion, we have now identified in the same locus a protective allele of Csf3r, a variant of Skint6 associated with T cell activation, and now a variant of sNASP that amplifies autoimmunity and tissue damage.

Maternal Proteins That Are Phosphoregulated upon Egg Activation Include Crucial Factors for Oogenesis, Egg Activation and Embryogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster

Egg activation is essential for the successful transition from a mature oocyte to a developmentally competent egg. It consists of a series of events including the resumption and completion of meiosis, initiation of translation of some maternal mRNAs and destruction of others, and changes to the vitelline envelope. This major change of cell state is accompanied by large scale alteration in the oocyte’s phosphoproteome. We hypothesize that the cohort of proteins that are subject to phosphoregulation during egg activation are functionally important for processes before, during, or soon after this transition, potentially uniquely or as proteins carrying out essential cellular functions like those they do in other (somatic) cells. In this study, we used germline-specific RNAi to examine the function of 189 maternal proteins that are phosphoregulated during egg activation in Drosophila melanogaster. We identified 53 genes whose knockdown reduced or abolished egg production and caused a range of defects in ovarian morphology, as well as 51 genes whose knockdown led to significant impairment or abolishment of the egg hatchability. We observed different stages of developmental arrest in the embryos and various defects in spindle morphology and aberrant centrosome activities in the early arrested embryos. Our results, validated by the detection of multiple genes with previously-documented maternal effect phenotypes among the proteins we tested, revealed 15 genes with newly discovered roles in egg activation and early embryogenesis in Drosophila. Given that protein phosphoregulation is a conserved characteristic of this developmental transition, we suggest that the phosphoregulated proteins may provide a rich pool of candidates for the identification of important players in the egg-to-embryo transition.

Chaperone-mediated chromatin assembly and transcriptional regulation in Xenopus laevis

Chromatin is the complex of DNA and histone proteins that is the physiological form of the eukaryotic genome. Chromatin is generally repressive for transcription, especially so during early metazoan development when maternal factors are explicitly in control of new zygotic gene expression. In the important model organism Xenopus laevis, maturing oocytes are transcriptionally active with reduced rates of chromatin assembly, while laid eggs and fertilized embryos have robust rates of chromatin assembly and are transcriptionally repressed. As the DNA-to-cytoplasmic ratio decreases approaching the mid-blastula transition (MBT) and the onset of zygotic genome activation (ZGA), the chromatin assembly process changes with the concomitant reduction in maternal chromatin components. Chromatin assembly is mediated in part by histone chaperones that store maternal histones and release them into new zygotic chromatin. Here, we review literature on chromatin and transcription in frog embryos and cell-free extracts and highlight key insights demonstrating the roles of maternal and zygotic histone deposition and their relationship with transcriptional regulation. We explore the central historical and recent literature on the use of Xenopus embryos and the key contributions provided by experiments in cell-free oocyte and egg extracts for the interplay between histone chaperones, chromatin assembly, and transcriptional regulation. Ongoing and future studies in Xenopus cell free extracts will likely contribute essential new insights into the interplay between chromatin assembly and transcriptional regulation.

Effects of Florida Red Tides on histone variant expression and DNA methylation in the Eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica

Massive algal proliferations known as Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) represent one of the most important threats to coastal areas. Among them, the so-called Florida Red Tides (FRTs, caused by blooms of the dinoflagellate Karenia brevis and associated brevetoxins) are particularly detrimental in the southeastern U.S., causing high mortality rates and annual losses in excess of $40 million. The ability of marine organisms to cope with environmental stressors (including those produced during HABs) is influenced by genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, the latter resulting in phenotypic changes caused by heritable modifications in gene expression, without involving changes in the genetic (DNA) sequence. Yet, studies examining cause-effect relationships between environmental stressors, specific epigenetic mechanisms and subsequent responses are still lacking. The present work contributes to increase this knowledge by investigating the effects of Florida Red Tides on two types of mechanisms participating in the epigenetic memory of Eastern oysters: histone variants and DNA methylation. For that purpose, a HAB simulation was conducted in laboratory conditions, exposing oysters to increasing concentrations of K. brevis. The obtained results revealed, for the first time, the existence of H2A.X, H2A.Z and macroH2A genes in this organism, encoding histone variants potentially involved in the maintenance of genome integrity during responses to the genotoxic effect of brevetoxins. Additionally, an increase in H2A.X phosphorylation (γH2A.X, a marker of DNA damage) and a decrease in global DNA methylation were observed as the HAB simulation progressed. Overall, the present work provides a basis to better understand how epigenetic mechanisms participate in responses to environmental stress in marine invertebrates, opening new avenues to incorporate environmental epigenetics approaches into management and conservation programs.

The H3 chaperone function of NASP is conserved in Arabidopsis

Histones are abundant cellular proteins but, if not incorporated into chromatin, they are usually bound by histone chaperones. Here, we identify Arabidopsis NASP as a chaperone for histones H3.1 and H3.3. NASP interacts in vitro with monomeric H3.1 and H3.3 as well as with histone H3.1-H4 and H3.3-H4 dimers. However, NASP does not bind to monomeric H4. NASP shifts the equilibrium between histone dimers and tetramers towards tetramers but does not interact with tetramers in vitro. Arabidopsis NASP promotes [H3-H4]₂ tetrasome formation, possibly by providing preassembled histone tetramers. However, NASP does not promote disassembly of in vitro preassembled tetrasomes. In contrast to its mammalian homolog, Arabidopsis NASP is a predominantly nuclear protein. In vivo, NASP binds mainly monomeric H3.1 and H3.3. Pulldown experiments indicated that NASP may also interact with the histone chaperone MSI1 and a HSC70 heat shock protein.

sNASP and ASF1A function through both competitive and compatible modes of histone binding

Histone chaperones are proteins that interact with histones to regulate the thermodynamic process of nucleosome assembly. sNASP and ASF1 are conserved histone chaperones that interact with histones H3 and H4 and are found in a multi-chaperoning complex in vivo. Previously we identified a short peptide motif within H3 that binds to the TPR domain of sNASP with nanomolar affinity. Interestingly, this peptide motif is sequestered within the known ASF1–H3–H4 interface, raising the question of how these two proteins are found in complex together with histones when they share the same binding site. Here, we show that sNASP contains at least two additional histone interaction sites that, unlike the TPR–H3 peptide interaction, are compatible with ASF1A binding. These surfaces allow ASF1A to form a quaternary complex with both sNASP and H3–H4. Furthermore, we demonstrate that sNASP makes a specific complex with H3 on its own in vitro, but not with H4, suggesting that it could work upstream of ASF1A. Further, we show that sNASP and ASF1A are capable of folding an H3–H4 dimer in vitro under native conditions. These findings reveal a network of binding events that may promote the entry of histones H3 and H4 into the nucleosome assembly pathway.

Maintenance of Epigenetic Information

The genome is subject to a diverse array of epigenetic modifications from DNA methylation to histone posttranslational changes. Many of these marks are somatically stable through cell division. This article focuses on our knowledge of the mechanisms governing the inheritance of epigenetic marks, particularly, repressive ones, when the DNA and chromatin template are duplicated in S phase. This involves the action of histone chaperones, nucleosome-remodeling enzymes, histone and DNA methylation binding proteins, and chromatin-modifying enzymes. Last, the timing of DNA replication is discussed, including the question of whether this constitutes an epigenetic mark that facilitates the propagation of epigenetic marks.

Single-Molecule Studies of the Linker Histone H1 Binding to DNA and the Nucleosome

Linker histone H1 regulates chromatin structure and gene expression. Investigating the dynamics and stoichiometry of binding of H1 to DNA and the nucleosome is crucial to elucidating its functions. Because of the abundant positive charges and the strong self-affinity of H1, quantitative in vitro studies of its binding to DNA and the nucleosome have generated results that vary widely and, therefore, should be interpreted in a system specific manner. We sought to overcome this limitation by developing a specially passivated microscope slide surface to monitor binding of H1 to DNA and the nucleosome at a single-molecule level. According to our measurements, the stoichiometry of binding of H1 to DNA and the nucleosome is very heterogeneous with a wide distribution whose averages are in reasonable agreement with previously published values. Our study also revealed that H1 does not dissociate from DNA or the nucleosome on a time scale of tens of minutes. We found that histone chaperone Nap1 readily dissociates H1 from DNA and superstoichiometrically bound H1 from the nucleosome, supporting a hypothesis whereby histone chaperones contribute to the regulation of the H1 profile in chromatin.

The histone chaperone sNASP binds a conserved peptide motif within the globular core of histone H3 through its TPR repeats

Eukaryotic chromatin is a complex yet dynamic structure, which is regulated in part by the assembly and disassembly of nucleosomes. Key to this process is a group of proteins termed histone chaperones that guide the thermodynamic assembly of nucleosomes by interacting with soluble histones. Here we investigate the interaction between the histone chaperone sNASP and its histone H3 substrate. We find that sNASP binds with nanomolar affinity to a conserved heptapeptide motif in the globular domain of H3, close to the C-terminus. Through functional analysis of sNASP homologues we identified point mutations in surface residues within the TPR domain of sNASP that disrupt H3 peptide interaction, but do not completely disrupt binding to full length H3 in cells, suggesting that sNASP interacts with H3 through additional contacts. Furthermore, chemical shift perturbations from(1)H-(15)N HSQC experiments show that H3 peptide binding maps to the helical groove formed by the stacked TPR motifs of sNASP. Our findings reveal a new mode of interaction between a TPR repeat domain and an evolutionarily conserved peptide motif found in canonical H3 and in all histone H3 variants, including CenpA and have implications for the mechanism of histone chaperoning within the cell.

Molecular dynamics of histone H1

The H1 or linker histones bind dynamically to chromatin in living cells via a process that involves transient association with the nucleosome near the DNA entry/exit site followed by dissociation, translocation to a new location, and rebinding. The mean residency time of H1 on any given nucleosome is about a minute, which is much shorter than that of most core histones but considerably longer than that of most other chromatin-binding proteins, including transcription factors. Here we review recent advances in understanding the kinetic pathway of H1 binding and how it relates to linker histone structure and function. We also describe potential mechanisms by which the dynamic binding of H1 might contribute directly to the regulation of gene expression and discuss several situations for which there is experimental evidence to support these mechanisms. Finally, we review the evidence for the participation of linker histone chaperones in mediating H1 exchange.

Downregulation of tNASP inhibits proliferation through regulating cell cycle-related proteins and inactive ERK/MAPK signal pathway in renal cell carcinoma cells

Nuclear auto-antigenic sperm protein (NASP), initially described as a highly auto-immunogenic testis and sperm-specific protein, is a histone chaperone that is proved to present in all dividing cells. NASP has two splice variants: testicular NASP (tNASP) and somatic form of NASP (sNASP). Only cancer, germ, transformed, and embryonic cells have a high level of expression of the tNASP. Up to now, little has been known about tNASP in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). In the present study, the molecular mechanism of tNASP in RCC was explored. The expression level of tNASP in 16 paired human RCC specimens was determined. Downregulation of tNASP by small interfering RNA (siRNA) was transfected in RCC cell lines. The effect of downregulation of tNASP by siRNA on cell colony formation and proliferation was examined by colony formation assay and CCK-8 assay, cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry, and the expression of cyclin D1 and P21 were detected by Western blotting. ERK/MAPK signaling was also analyzed. tNASP has a relative high expression level in human RCC tissues. Via upregulation of P21 and downregulation of cyclinD1, silence of tNASP can inhibit cell proliferation, which induces cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, ERK signaling pathway is confirmed to mediate the regulation of cell cycle-related proteins caused by silence of tNASP. Our research demonstrates that knockdown of tNASP effectively inhibits the proliferation and causes G1 phase arrest through ERK/MAPK signal pathway.

Histone chaperones: assisting histone traffic and nucleosome dynamics

The functional organization of eukaryotic DNA into chromatin uses histones as components of its building block, the nucleosome. Histone chaperones, which are proteins that escort histones throughout their cellular life, are key actors in all facets of histone metabolism; they regulate the supply and dynamics of histones at chromatin for its assembly and disassembly. Histone chaperones can also participate in the distribution of histone variants, thereby defining distinct chromatin landscapes of importance for genome function, stability, and cell identity. Here, we discuss our current knowledge of the known histone chaperones and their histone partners, focusing on histone H3 and its variants. We then place them into an escort network that distributes these histones in various deposition pathways. Through their distinct interfaces, we show how they affect dynamics during DNA replication, DNA damage, and transcription, and how they maintain genome integrity. Finally, we discuss the importance of histone chaperones during development and describe how misregulation of the histone flow can link to disease.

Structural insights into yeast histone chaperone Hif1: a scaffold protein recruiting protein complexes to core histones

Yeast Hif1 [Hat1 (histone acetyltransferase 1)-interacting factor], a homologue of human NASP (nuclear autoantigenic sperm protein), is a histone chaperone that is involved in various protein complexes which modify histones during telomeric silencing and chromatin reassembly. For elucidating the structural basis of Hif1, in the present paper we demonstrate the crystal structure of Hif1 consisting of a superhelixed TPR (tetratricopeptide repeat) domain and an extended acid loop covering the rear of TPR domain, which represent typical characteristics of SHNi-TPR [Sim3 (start independent of mitosis 3)-Hif1-NASP interrupted TPR] proteins. Our binding assay indicates that Hif1 could bind to the histone octamer via histones H3 and H4. The acid loop is shown to be crucial for the binding of histones and may also change the conformation of the TPR groove. By binding to the core histone complex Hif1 may recruit functional protein complexes to modify histones during chromatin reassembly.

Evolution of high mobility group nucleosome-binding proteins and its implications for vertebrate chromatin specialization

High mobility group (HMG)-N proteins are a family of small nonhistone proteins that bind to nucleosomes (N). Despite the amount of information available on their structure and function, there is an almost complete lack of information on the molecular evolutionary mechanisms leading to their exclusive differentiation. In the present work, we provide evidence suggesting that HMGN lineages constitute independent monophyletic groups derived from a common ancestor prior to the diversification of vertebrates. Based on observations of the functional diversification across vertebrate HMGN proteins and on the extensive silent nucleotide divergence, our results suggest that the long-term evolution of HMGNs occurs under strong purifying selection, resulting from the lineage-specific functional constraints of their different protein domains. Selection analyses on independent lineages suggest that their functional specialization was mediated by bursts of adaptive selection at specific evolutionary times, in a small subset of codons with functional relevance-most notably in HMGN1, and in the rapidly evolving HMGN5. This work provides useful information to our understanding of the specialization imparted on chromatin metabolism by HMGNs, especially on the evolutionary mechanisms underlying their functional differentiation in vertebrates.

Molecular evolution of NASP and conserved histone H3/H4 transport pathway

BACKGROUND

NASP is an essential protein in mammals that functions in histone transport pathways and maintenance of a soluble reservoir of histones H3/H4. NASP has been studied exclusively in Opisthokonta lineages where some functional diversity has been reported. In humans, growing evidence implicates NASP miss-regulation in the development of a variety of cancers. Although a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis is lacking, NASP-family proteins that possess four TPR motifs are thought to be widely distributed across eukaryotes.

RESULTS

We characterize the molecular evolution of NASP by systematically identifying putative NASP orthologs across diverse eukaryotic lineages ranging from excavata to those of the crown group. We detect extensive silent divergence at the nucleotide level suggesting the presence of strong purifying selection acting at the protein level. We also observe a selection bias for high frequencies of acidic residues which we hypothesize is a consequence of their critical function(s), further indicating the role of functional constraints operating on NASP evolution. Our data indicate that TPR1 and TPR4 constitute the most rapidly evolving functional units of NASP and may account for the functional diversity observed among well characterized family members. We also show that NASP paralogs in ray-finned fish have different genomic environments with clear differences in their GC content and have undergone significant changes at the protein level suggesting functional diversification.

CONCLUSION

We draw four main conclusions from this study. First, wide distribution of NASP throughout eukaryotes suggests that it was likely present in the last eukaryotic common ancestor (LECA) possibly as an important innovation in the transport of H3/H4. Second, strong purifying selection operating at the protein level has influenced the nucleotide composition of NASP genes. Further, we show that selection has acted to maintain a high frequency of functionally relevant acidic amino acids in the region that interrupts TPR2. Third, functional diversity reported among several well characterized NASP family members can be explained in terms of quickly evolving TPR1 and TPR4 motifs. Fourth, NASP fish specific paralogs have significantly diverged at the protein level with NASP2 acquiring a NNR domain.

Nap1 stimulates homologous recombination by RAD51 and RAD54 in higher-ordered chromatin containing histone H1

Homologous recombination plays essential roles in mitotic DNA double strand break (DSB) repair and meiotic genetic recombination. In eukaryotes, RAD51 promotes the central homologous-pairing step during homologous recombination, but is not sufficient to overcome the reaction barrier imposed by nucleosomes. RAD54, a member of the ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling factor family, is required to promote the RAD51-mediated homologous pairing in nucleosomal DNA. In higher eukaryotes, most nucleosomes form higher-ordered chromatin containing the linker histone H1. However, the mechanism by which RAD51/RAD54-mediated homologous pairing occurs in higher-ordered chromatin has not been elucidated. In this study, we found that a histone chaperone, Nap1, accumulates on DSB sites in human cells, and DSB repair is substantially decreased in Nap1-knockdown cells. We determined that Nap1 binds to RAD54, enhances the RAD54-mediated nucleosome remodeling by evicting histone H1, and eventually stimulates the RAD51-mediated homologous pairing in higher-ordered chromatin containing histone H1.

Assembling chromatin: the long and winding road

It has been over 35 years since the acceptance of the "chromatin subunit" hypothesis, and the recognition that nucleosomes are the fundamental repeating units of chromatin fibers. Major subjects of inquiry in the intervening years have included the steps involved in chromatin assembly, and the chaperones that escort histones to DNA. The following commentary offers an historical perspective on inquiries into the processes by which nucleosomes are assembled on replicating and nonreplicating chromatin. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Histone chaperones and Chromatin assembly.

Towards a mechanism for histone chaperones

Histone chaperones can be broadly defined as histone-binding proteins that influence chromatin dynamics in an ATP-independent manner. Their existence reflects the importance of chromatin homeostasis and the unique and unusual biochemistry of the histone proteins. Histone supply and demand at chromatin is regulated by a network of structurally and functionally diverse histone chaperones. At the core of this network is a mechanistic variability that is only beginning to be appreciated. In this review, we highlight the challenges in determining histone chaperone mechanism and discuss possible mechanisms in the context of nucleosome thermodynamics. We discuss how histone chaperones prevent promiscuous histone interactions, and consider if this activity represents the full extent of histone chaperone function in governing chromatin dynamics. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Histone chaperones and Chromatin assembly.

H1 histones: current perspectives and challenges

H1 and related linker histones are important both for maintenance of higher-order chromatin structure and for the regulation of gene expression. The biology of the linker histones is complex, as they are evolutionarily variable, exist in multiple isoforms and undergo a large variety of posttranslational modifications in their long, unstructured, NH₂- and COOH-terminal tails. We review recent progress in understanding the structure, genetics and posttranslational modifications of linker histones, with an emphasis on the dynamic interactions of these proteins with DNA and transcriptional regulators. We also discuss various experimental challenges to the study of H1 and related proteins, including limitations of immunological reagents and practical difficulties in the analysis of posttranslational modifications by mass spectrometry.

Chromatin and DNA replication

The size of a eukaryotic genome presents a unique challenge to the cell: package and organize the DNA to fit within the confines of the nucleus while at the same time ensuring sufficient dynamics to allow access to specific sequences and features such as genes and regulatory elements. This is achieved via the dynamic nucleoprotein organization of eukaryotic DNA into chromatin. The basic unit of chromatin, the nucleosome, comprises a core particle with 147 bp of DNA wrapped 1.7 times around an octamer of histones. The nucleosome is a highly versatile and modular structure, both in its composition, with the existence of various histone variants, and through the addition of a series of posttranslational modifications on the histones. This versatility allows for both short-term regulatory responses to external signaling, as well as the long-term and multigenerational definition of large functional chromosomal domains within the nucleus, such as the centromere. Chromatin organization and its dynamics participate in essentially all DNA-templated processes, including transcription, replication, recombination, and repair. Here we will focus mainly on nucleosomal organization and describe the pathways and mechanisms that contribute to assembly of this organization and the role of chromatin in regulating the DNA replication program.

The presence of HIV-1 Tat protein second exon delays fas protein-mediated apoptosis in CD4+ T lymphocytes: a potential mechanism for persistent viral production

HIV-1 replication is efficiently controlled by the regulator protein Tat (101 amino acids) and codified by two exons, although the first exon (1-72 amino acids) is sufficient for this process. Tat can be released to the extracellular medium, acting as a soluble pro-apoptotic factor in neighboring cells. However, HIV-1-infected CD4(+) T lymphocytes show a higher resistance to apoptosis. We observed that the intracellular expression of Tat delayed FasL-mediated apoptosis in both peripheral blood lymphocytes and Jurkat cells, as it is an essential pathway to control T cell homeostasis during immune activation. Jurkat-Tat cells showed impairment in the activation of caspase-8, deficient release of mitochondrial cytochrome c, and delayed activation of both caspase-9 and -3. This protection was due to a profound deregulation of proteins that stabilized the mitochondrial membrane integrity, such as heat shock proteins, prohibitin, or nucleophosmin, as well as to the up-regulation of NF-κB-dependent anti-apoptotic proteins, such as BCL2, c-FLIPS, XIAP, and C-IAP2. These effects were observed in Jurkat expressing full-length Tat (Jurkat-Tat101) but not in Jurkat expressing the first exon of Tat (Jurkat-Tat72), proving that the second exon, and particularly the NF-κB-related motif ESKKKVE, was necessary for Tat-mediated protection against FasL apoptosis. Accordingly, the protection exerted by Tat was independent of its function as a regulator of both viral transcription and elongation. Moreover, these data proved that HIV-1 could have developed strategies to delay FasL-mediated apoptosis in infected CD4(+) T lymphocytes through the expression of Tat, thus favoring the persistent replication of HIV-1 in infected T cells.

Nap1 regulates proper CENP-B binding to nucleosomes

CENP-B is a widely conserved centromeric satellite DNA-binding protein, which specifically binds to a 17-bp DNA sequence known as the CENP-B box. CENP-B functions positively in the de novo assembly of centromeric nucleosomes, containing the centromere-specific histone H3 variant, CENP-A. At the same time, CENP-B also prevents undesired assembly of the CENP-A nucleosome through heterochromatin formation on satellite DNA integrated into ectopic sites. Therefore, improper CENP-B binding to chromosomes could be harmful. However, no CENP-B eviction mechanism has yet been reported. In the present study, we found that human Nap1, an acidic histone chaperone, inhibited the non-specific binding of CENP-B to nucleosomes and apparently stimulated CENP-B binding to its cognate CENP-B box DNA in nucleosomes. In human cells, the CENP-B eviction activity of Nap1 was confirmed in model experiments, in which the CENP-B binding to a human artificial chromosome or an ectopic chromosome locus bearing CENP-B boxes was significantly decreased when Nap1 was tethered near the CENP-B box sequence. In contrast, another acidic histone chaperone, sNASP, did not promote CENP-B eviction in vitro and in vivo and did not stimulate specific CENP-B binding to CENP-A nucleosomes in vitro. We therefore propose a novel mechanism of CENP-B regulation by Nap1.

Vertebrate nucleoplasmin and NASP: egg histone storage proteins with multiple chaperone activities

Recent reviews have focused on the structure and function of histone chaperones involved in different aspects of somatic cell chromatin metabolism. One of the most dramatic chromatin remodeling processes takes place immediately after fertilization and is mediated by egg histone storage chaperones. These include members of the nucleoplasmin (NPM2/NPM3), which are preferentially associated with histones H2A-H2B in the egg and the nuclear autoantigenic sperm protein (NASP) families. Interestingly, in addition to binding and providing storage to H3/H4 in the egg and in somatic cells, NASP has been shown to be a unique genuine chaperone for histone H1. This review revolves around the structural and functional roles of these two families of chaperones whose activity is modulated by their own post-translational modifications (PTMs), particularly phosphorylation. Beyond their important role in the remodeling of paternal chromatin in the early stages of embryogenesis, NPM and NASP members can interact with a plethora of proteins in addition to histones in somatic cells and play a critical role in processes of functional cell alteration, such as in cancer. Despite their common presence in the egg, these two histone chaperones appear to be evolutionarily unrelated. In contrast to members of the NPM family, which share a common monophyletic evolutionary origin, the different types of NASP appear to have evolved recurrently within different taxa.

Histone chaperones link histone nuclear import and chromatin assembly

Histone chaperones are proteins that shield histones from nonspecific interactions until they are assembled into chromatin. After their synthesis in the cytoplasm, histones are bound by different histone chaperones, subjected to a series of posttranslational modifications and imported into the nucleus. These evolutionarily conserved modifications, including acetylation and methylation, can occur in the cytoplasm, but their role in regulating import is not well understood. As part of histone import complexes, histone chaperones may serve to protect the histones during transport, or they may be using histones to promote their own nuclear localization. In addition, there is evidence that histone chaperones can play an active role in the import of histones. Histone chaperones have also been shown to regulate the localization of important chromatin modifying enzymes. This review is focused on the role histone chaperones play in the early biogenesis of histones, the distinct cytoplasmic subcomplexes in which histone chaperones have been found in both yeast and mammalian cells and the importins/karyopherins and nuclear localization signals that mediate the nuclear import of histones. We also address the role that histone chaperone localization plays in human disease. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Histone chaperones and chromatin assembly.

Histone H2A (H2A.X and H2A.Z) variants in molluscs: molecular characterization and potential implications for chromatin dynamics

Histone variants are used by the cell to build specialized nucleosomes, replacing canonical histones and generating functionally specialized chromatin domains. Among many other processes, the specialization imparted by histone H2A (H2A.X and H2A.Z) variants to the nucleosome core particle constitutes the earliest response to DNA damage in the cell. Consequently, chromatin-based genotoxicity tests have been developed in those cases where enough information pertaining chromatin structure and dynamics is available (i.e., human and mouse). However, detailed chromatin knowledge is almost absent in most organisms, specially protostome animals. Molluscs (which represent sentinel organisms for the study of pollution) are not an exception to this lack of knowledge. In the present work we first identified the existence of functionally differentiated histone H2A.X and H2A.Z variants in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis (MgH2A.X and MgH2A.Z), a marine organism widely used in biomonitoring programs. Our results support the functional specialization of these variants based on: a) their active expression in different tissues, as revealed by the isolation of native MgH2A.X and MgH2A.Z proteins in gonad and hepatopancreas; b) the evolutionary conservation of different residues encompassing functional relevance; and c) their ability to confer specialization to nucleosomes, as revealed by nucleosome reconstitution experiments using recombinant MgH2A.X and MgH2A.Z histones. Given the seminal role of these variants in maintaining genomic integrity and regulating gene expression, their preliminary characterization opens up new potential applications for the future development of chromatin-based genotoxicity tests in pollution biomonitoring programs.

Interplay between HIV-1 infection and host microRNAs

Using microRNA array analyses of in vitro HIV-1-infected CD4⁺ cells, we find that several host microRNAs are significantly up- or downregulated around the time HIV-1 infection peaks in vitro. While microRNA-223 levels were significantly enriched in HIV-1-infected CD4⁺CD8⁻ PBMCs, microRNA-29a/b, microRNA-155 and microRNA-21 levels were significantly reduced. Based on the potential for microRNA binding sites in a conserved sequence of the Nef-3′-LTR, several host microRNAs potentially could affect HIV-1 gene expression. Among those microRNAs, the microRNA-29 family has seed complementarity in the HIV-1 3′-UTR, but the potential suppressive effect of microRNA-29 on HIV-1 is severely blocked by the secondary structure of the target region. Our data support a possible regulatory circuit at the peak of HIV-1 replication which involves downregulation of microRNA-29, expression of Nef, the apoptosis of host CD4 cells and upregulation of microRNA-223.

The human histone chaperone sNASP interacts with linker and core histones through distinct mechanisms

Somatic nuclear autoantigenic sperm protein (sNASP) is a human homolog of the N1/N2 family of histone chaperones. sNASP contains the domain structure characteristic of this family, which includes a large acidic patch flanked by several tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) motifs. sNASP possesses a unique binding specificity in that it forms specific complexes with both histone H1 and histones H3/H4. Based on the binding affinities of sNASP variants to histones H1, H3.3, H4 and H3.3/H4 complexes, sNASP uses distinct structural domains to interact with linker and core histones. For example, one of the acidic patches of sNASP was essential for linker histone binding but not for core histone interactions. The fourth TPR of sNASP played a critical role in interactions with histone H3/H4 complexes, but did not influence histone H1 binding. Finally, analysis of cellular proteins demonstrated that sNASP existed in distinct complexes that contained either linker or core histones.

Depletion of the histone chaperone tNASP inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in prostate cancer PC-3 cells

BACKGROUND

NASP (Nuclear Autoantigenic Sperm Protein) is a histone chaperone that is present in all dividing cells. NASP has two splice variants: tNASP and sNASP. Only cancer, germ, transformed, and embryonic cells have a high level of expression of the tNASP splice variant. We examined the consequences of tNASP depletion for prostate cancer PC-3 cells.

METHODS

tNASP was depleted from prostate cancer PC-3 cells, cervical cancer HeLa cells, and prostate epithelial PWR-1E cells using lentivirus expression of tNASP shRNA. Cell cycle changes were studied by proliferation assay with CFSE labeling and double thymidine synchronization. Gene expression profiles were detected using RT(2)Profiler PCR Array, Western and Northern blotting.

RESULTS

PC-3 and HeLa cells showed inhibited proliferation, increased levels of cyclin-dependant kinase inhibitor p21 protein and apoptosis, whereas non-tumorigenic PWR-1E cells did not. All three cell types showed decreased levels of HSPA2. Supporting in vitro experiments demonstrated that tNASP, but not sNASP is required for activation of HSPA2.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that PC-3 and HeLa cancer cells require tNASP to maintain high levels of HSPA2 activity and therefore viability, while PWR-1E cells are unaffected by tNASP depletion. These different cellular responses most likely arise from changes in the interaction between tNASP and HSPA2 and disturbed tNASP chaperoning of linker histones. This study has demonstrated that tNASP is critical for the survival of prostate cancer cells and suggests that targeting tNASP expression can lead to a new approach for prostate cancer treatment.

The program for processing newly synthesized histones H3.1 and H4

The mechanism by which newly synthesized histones are imported into the nucleus and deposited onto replicating chromatin alongside segregating nucleosomal counterparts is poorly understood, yet this program is expected to bear on the putative epigenetic nature of histone posttranslational modifications. In order to define the events by which naïve pre-deposition histones are imported into the nucleus, we biochemically purified and characterized the gamut of histone H3.1-containing complexes from human cytoplasmic fractions and identified their associated histone PTMs. Through reconstitution assays, biophysical analyses, and live cell manipulations, we describe in detail this series of events, namely the assembly of H3-H4 dimers, the acetylation of histones by the HAT1 holoenzyme, and the transfer of histones between chaperones that culminates with their karyopherin-mediated nuclear import. We further demonstrate the high degree of conservation for this pathway between higher and lower eukaryotes.

The histone shuffle: histone chaperones in an energetic dance

Our genetic information is tightly packaged into a rather ingenious nucleoprotein complex called chromatin in a manner that enables it to be rapidly accessed during genomic processes. Formation of the nucleosome, which is the fundamental unit of chromatin, occurs via a stepwise process that is reversed to enable the disassembly of nucleosomes. Histone chaperone proteins have prominent roles in facilitating these processes as well as in replacing old histones with new canonical histones or histone variants during the process of histone exchange. Recent structural, biophysical and biochemical studies have begun to shed light on the molecular mechanisms whereby histone chaperones promote chromatin assembly, disassembly and histone exchange to facilitate DNA replication, repair and transcription.

Multifunctionality of the linker histones: an emerging role for protein-protein interactions

Linker histones, e.g., H1, are best known for their ability to bind to nucleosomes and stabilize both nucleosome structure and condensed higher-order chromatin structures. However, over the years many investigators have reported specific interactions between linker histones and proteins involved in important cellular processes. The purpose of this review is to highlight evidence indicating an important alternative mode of action for H1, namely protein-protein interactions. We first review key aspects of the traditional view of linker histone action, including the importance of the H1 C-terminal domain. We then discuss the current state of knowledge of linker histone interactions with other proteins, and, where possible, highlight the mechanism of linker histone-mediated protein-protein interactions. Taken together, the data suggest a combinatorial role for the linker histones, functioning both as primary chromatin architectural proteins and simultaneously as recruitment hubs for proteins involved in accessing and modifying the chromatin fiber.

Chaperoning histones during DNA replication and repair

Nuclear DNA is tightly packaged into chromatin, which profoundly influences DNA replication, transcription, repair, and recombination. The extensive interactions between the basic histone proteins and acidic DNA make the nucleosomal unit of chromatin a highly stable entity. For the cellular machinery to access the DNA, the chromatin must be unwound and the DNA cleared of histone proteins. Conversely, the DNA has to be repackaged into chromatin afterward. This review focuses on the roles of the histone chaperones in assembling and disassembling chromatin during the processes of DNA replication and repair.

Nucleosome formation activity of human somatic nuclear autoantigenic sperm protein (sNASP)

NASP (nuclear autoantigenic sperm protein) is a member of the N1/N2 family, which is widely conserved among eukaryotes. Human NASP reportedly prefers to bind to histones H3.H4 and the linker histone H1, as compared with H2A.H2B, and is anticipated to function as an H3.H4 chaperone for nucleosome assembly. However, the direct nucleosome assembly activity of human NASP has not been reported so far. In humans, two spliced isoforms, somatic and testicular NASPs (sNASP and tNASP, respectively) were identified. In the present study we purified human sNASP and found that sNASP efficiently promoted the assembly of nucleosomes containing the conventional H3.1, H3.2, H3.3, or centromere-specific CENP-A. On the other hand, sNASP inefficiently promoted nucleosome assembly with H3T, a testis-specific H3 variant. Mutational analyses revealed that the Met-71 residue of H3T is responsible for this inefficient nucleosome formation by sNASP. Tetrasomes, composed of the H3.H4 tetramer and DNA without H2A.H2B, were efficiently formed by the sNASP-mediated nucleosome-assembly reaction. A deletion analysis of sNASP revealed that the central region, amino acid residues 26-325, of sNASP is responsible for nucleosome assembly in vitro. These experiments are the first demonstration that human NASP directly promotes nucleosome assembly and provide compelling evidence that sNASP is a bona fide histone chaperone for H3.H4.

Linker histones stimulate HSPA2 ATPase activity through NASP binding and inhibit CDC2/Cyclin B1 complex formation during meiosis in the mouse

In mammalian spermatocytes, cell division cycle protein 2 (CDC2)/cyclin B1 and the chaperone heat shock protein A2 (HSPA2) are required for the G2-->M transition in prophase I. Here, we demonstrate that in primary spermatocytes, linker histone chaperone testis/embryo form of nuclear autoantigenic sperm protein (tNASP) binds the heat shock protein HSPA2, which localizes on the synaptonemal complex of spermatocytes. Significantly, the tNASP-HSPA2 complex binds linker histones and CDC2, forming a larger complex. We demonstrate that increasing amounts of tNASP favor tNASP-HSPA2-CDC2 complex formation. Binding of linker histones to tNASP significantly increases HSPA2 ATPase activity and the capacity of tNASP to bind HSPA2 and CDC2, precluding CDC2/cyclin B1 complex formation and, consequently, decreasing CDC2/cyclin B1 kinase activity. Linker histone binding to NASP controls the ability of HSPA2 to activate CDC2 for CDC2/cyclin B1 complex formation; therefore, tNASP's role is to provide the functional link between linker histones and cell cycle progression during meiosis.