Archaeal chromatin proteins: different structures but common function?
Chromatin proteins promote chromosome flexibility in vivo, maintaining a compact yet decondensed template that permits polymerase accessibility. All Archaea have at least two types of chromatin proteins, and diversity in the chromatin protein population appears to prevent polymerization of a single type of protein. Of the numerous chromatin proteins that have been described in Archaea, only two--histones and Alba homologs--are present in all archaeal phyla. Although their structures and complexes with DNA have no similarities, their functions probably overlap as mutants that lack single chromatin proteins are viable.
Sandman
Kathleen
K
Department of Microbiology, Ohio State University, 484W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. sandman.1@osu.edu
Reeve
John N
JN
D019843:Archaeal Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006657:Histones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008958:Models, Molecular; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D016944:Sulfolobus / Q000378:metabolism*
D019843:Archaeal Proteins; D002843:Chromatin; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D006657:Histones; C444360:Sso10b protein, Sulfolobus solfataricus