Selective recognition of methylated lysine 9 on histone H3 by the HP1 chromo domain.
Heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) is localized at heterochromatin sites where it mediates gene silencing. The chromo domain of HP1 is necessary for both targeting and transcriptional repression. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the correct localization of Swi6 (the HP1 equivalent) depends on Clr4, a homologue of the mammalian SUV39H1 histone methylase. Both Clr4 and SUV39H1 methylate specifically lysine 9 of histone H3 (ref. 6). Here we show that HP1 can bind with high affinity to histone H3 methylated at lysine 9 but not at lysine 4. The chromo domain of HP1 is identified as its methyl-lysine-binding domain. A point mutation in the chromo domain, which destroys the gene silencing activity of HP1 in Drosophila, abolishes methyl-lysine-binding activity. Genetic and biochemical analysis in S. pombe shows that the methylase activity of Clr4 is necessary for the correct localization of Swi6 at centromeric heterochromatin and for gene silencing. These results provide a stepwise model for the formation of a transcriptionally silent heterochromatin: SUV39H1 places a 'methyl marker' on histone H3, which is then recognized by HP1 through its chromo domain. This model may also explain the stable inheritance of the heterochromatic state.
Bannister
A J
AJ
Wellcome/CRC Institute and Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, UK.
Zegerman
P
P
Partridge
J F
JF
Miska
E A
EA
Thomas
J O
JO
Allshire
R C
RC
Kouzarides
T
T
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism; D000090266:Chromobox Protein Homolog 5; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / Q000378:metabolism*; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011495:Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008239:Lysine / Q000378:metabolism*; D008745:Methylation; D008780:Methyltransferases; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D012568:Schizosaccharomyces / Q000378:metabolism; D029702:Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D002843:Chromatin; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D006657:Histones; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C075111:SWI6 protein, S cerevisiae; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D029702:Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000090266:Chromobox Protein Homolog 5; D008780:Methyltransferases; D011495:Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase; C112744:clr4 protein, S pombe; D008239:Lysine