Linker histones: novel insights into structure-specific recognition of the nucleosome.
Linker histones (H1s) are a primary component of metazoan chromatin, fulfilling numerous functions, both in vitro and in vivo, including stabilizing the wrapping of DNA around the nucleosome, promoting folding and assembly of higher order chromatin structures, influencing nucleosome spacing on DNA, and regulating specific gene expression. However, many molecular details of how H1 binds to nucleosomes and recognizes unique structural features on the nucleosome surface remain undefined. Numerous, confounding studies are complicated not only by experimental limitations, but the use of different linker histone isoforms and nucleosome constructions. This review summarizes the decades of research that has resulted in several models of H1 association with nucleosomes, with a focus on recent advances that suggest multiple modes of H1 interaction in chromatin, while highlighting the remaining questions.
Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.|Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
Amber R
AR
Cutter
Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.|Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
Jeffrey J
JJ
Hayes
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002645:Chickens / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D042002:Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006657:Histones / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009707:Nucleosomes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010802:Phylogeny; D011485:Protein Binding; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D006657:Histones; D009707:Nucleosomes; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D004247:DNA
ADN; DNA; histone de liaison; linker histone; nucleosome; nucléosome