Work

The histone chaperone FACT modulates nucleosome structure by tethering its components

Year: 2018

Type: article

Abstract: Human FAcilitates Chromatin Transcription (hFACT) is a conserved histone chaperone that was originally described as a transcription elongation factor with potential nucleosome assembly functions. Here, we show that FACT has moderate tetrasome assembly activity but facilitates H2A-H2B deposition to form hexasomes and nucleosomes. In the process, FACT tethers components of the nucleosome through interactions with H2A-H2B, resulting in a defined intermediate complex comprising FACT, a histone hexamer, and DNA. Free DNA extending from the tetrasome then competes FACT off H2A-H2B, thereby promoting hexasome and nucleosome formation. Our studies provide mechanistic insight into how FACT may stabilize partial nucleosome structures during transcription or nucleosome assembly, seemingly facilitating both nucleosome disassembly and nucleosome assembly.

Source: Life Science Alliance

DOI: 10.26508/lsa.201800107

Authors: Tao Wang, Yang Liu, Garrett Edwards, Daniel Krzizike, Hataichanok Scherman, Karolin Luger

Institutions: University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado State University, Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Language: English

Topic: Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,500

Funders: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences