title: Histone H4 acetylation required for chromatin decompaction during DNA replication.
abstract: Faithful DNA replication is a prerequisite for cell proliferation. Several cytological studies have shown that chromosome structures alter in the S-phase of the cell cycle. However, the molecular mechanisms behind the alteration of chromosome structures associated with DNA replication have not been elucidated. Here, we investigated chromatin structures and acetylation of specific histone residues during DNA replication using the meiotic nucleus of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The S. pombe meiotic nucleus provides a unique opportunity for measuring the levels of compaction of chromatin along the chromosome in a defined orientation. By direct measurement of chromatin compaction in living cells, we demonstrated that decompaction of chromatin occurs during meiotic DNA replication. This chromatin decompaction was suppressed by depletion of histone acetyltransferase Mst1 or by arginine substitution of specific lysine residues (K8 and K12) of histone H4. These results suggest that acetylation of histone H4 residues K8 and K12 plays a critical role in loosening chromatin structures during DNA replication.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Japan.
authors.forename: Kun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ruan
authors.affiliation: Advanced ICT Research Institute Kobe, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, 588-2 Iwaoka, Iwaoka-cho, Nishi-ku, Kobe 651-2492, Japan.
authors.forename: Takaharu G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Japan.
authors.forename: Haruhiko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Asakawa
authors.affiliation: Advanced ICT Research Institute Kobe, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, 588-2 Iwaoka, Iwaoka-cho, Nishi-ku, Kobe 651-2492, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chikashige
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuda, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, 1-1 Machikaneyama-cho, Toyonaka 560-0043, Japan.
authors.forename: Hisao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Masukata
authors.affiliation: 1] Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Japan [2] Advanced ICT Research Institute Kobe, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, 588-2 Iwaoka, Iwaoka-cho, Nishi-ku, Kobe 651-2492, Japan.
authors.forename: Tokuko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Haraguchi
authors.affiliation: 1] Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Japan [2] Advanced ICT Research Institute Kobe, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, 588-2 Iwaoka, Iwaoka-cho, Nishi-ku, Kobe 651-2492, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hiraoka
mesh_terms: D000107:Acetylation; D042002:Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly / Q000502:physiology*; D004261:DNA Replication / Q000502:physiology*; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D006657:Histones / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016196:S Phase / Q000502:physiology; D012568:Schizosaccharomyces / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D029702:Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004271:DNA, Fungal; D006657:Histones; D029702:Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins