Work

Post-translational modifications of the nucleoid protein H-NS: sites, mechanisms, and regulatory cues

Year: 2025

Type: review

Abstract: Histone-like nucleoid structuring protein H-NS plays a pivotal role in orchestrating bacterial chromatin and regulating horizontal gene transfer (HGT) elements. In response to environmental signals, H-NS undergoes dynamic post-translational modifications (PTMs) that resemble the epigenetic codes of eukaryotic histones. This review explores how environmental cues regulate PTMs at specific sites within distinct domains of H-NS, thereby modulating its oligomerization and DNA-binding capabilities to reprogram bacterial responses. Notably, HGT elements commonly encode counter-silencing factors, including PTM-modifying enzymes, that counteract H-NS repression. We propose that combinatorial PTM patterns on H-NS form the bacterial histone-like epigenetic code, regulating the expression of HGT elements. Collectively, these interactions establish a sophisticated network of silencing and counter-silencing mechanisms that drive bacterial genome evolution.

Source: FEMS Microbiology Reviews

DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuaf045

Authors: Yabo Liu, Xiaoxue Wang

Institutions: Chinese Academy of Sciences, South China Sea Institute Of Oceanology, State Key Laboratory of Tropical Oceanography, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,297

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences