RNA interference demonstrates a novel role for H2A.Z in chromosome segregation.
The histone variant H2A.Z plays an essential role in metazoans but its function remains to be determined. Here, we developed a new inducible RNAi strategy to elucidate the role of H2A.Z in mammalian cell lines. We show that in the absence of H2A.Z, the genome becomes highly unstable and that this instability is caused by defects in the chromosome segregation process. Analysis of H2A.Z localization reveals that in these cells it is enriched at heterochromatic foci with HP1alpha on the arms of chromosomes but not at centromeric regions. When H2A.Z is depleted, normal HP1alpha-chromatin interactions are disrupted on the chromosomal arms and, notably, also at pericentric regions. Therefore, H2A.Z controls the localization of HP1alpha. We conclude that H2A.Z is essential for the accurate transmission of chromosomes.
Rangasamy
Danny
D
The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, PO Box 334, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia.
Greaves
Ian
I
Tremethick
David J
DJ
D001483:Base Sequence; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism; D017931:DNA Primers; D016678:Genome; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D034622:RNA Interference; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D002843:Chromatin; D017931:DNA Primers; D006657:Histones