H1 histones: current perspectives and challenges.
H1 and related linker histones are important both for maintenance of higher-order chromatin structure and for the regulation of gene expression. The biology of the linker histones is complex, as they are evolutionarily variable, exist in multiple isoforms and undergo a large variety of posttranslational modifications in their long, unstructured, NH2- and COOH-terminal tails. We review recent progress in understanding the structure, genetics and posttranslational modifications of linker histones, with an emphasis on the dynamic interactions of these proteins with DNA and transcriptional regulators. We also discuss various experimental challenges to the study of H1 and related proteins, including limitations of immunological reagents and practical difficulties in the analysis of posttranslational modifications by mass spectrometry.
Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA, College of Medicine and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA and Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Sean W
SW
Harshman
Nicolas L
NL
Young
Mark R
MR
Parthun
Michael A
MA
Freitas
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D006657:Histones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family; D009707:Nucleosomes / Q000737:chemistry; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D016415:Sequence Alignment
D006657:Histones; D009707:Nucleosomes