Work

Entrapment of a Histone Tail by a DNA Lesion in a Nucleosome Suggests the Lesion Impacts Epigenetic Marking: A Molecular Dynamics Study

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: Errors in epigenetic markings are associated with human diseases, including cancer. We have used molecular dynamics simulations of a nucleosome containing the 10S (+)-trans-anti-B[a]P-N(2)-dG lesion, derived from the environmental pro-carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene, to elucidate the impact of the lesion on the structure and dynamics of a nearby histone N-terminal tail. Our results show that a lysine-containing part of this H2B tail that is subject to post-translational modification is engulfed by the enlarged DNA minor groove imposed by the lesion. The tail entrapment suggests that epigenetic markings could be hampered by this lesion, thereby impacting critical cellular functions, including transcription and repair.

Source: Biochemistry

DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.5b01166

Authors: Iwen Fu, Yuqin Cai, Yingkai Zhang, Nicholas E. Geacintov, Suse Broyde

Institutions: New York University, New York University Shanghai

Language: English

Topic: Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500