Genomic data on histone-humanized chromatin in budding yeast
Eukaryotic DNA wraps around well-conserved histone octamers to form nucleosome fibers, which represents the most basic functional organization of chromatin among divergent organisms. As the effects of species-specific changes on nucleosome functions remain poorly characterized, histone replacement between divergent species can help identify processes that are functionally entrenched in different organisms.In this work we have characterized the biological effects of the human-like nucleosomes, showing their direct impact on the overall structure of the chromatin in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Genome-wide Hi-C chromosome-interaction maps showed both an increase in mid-range interactions and substantial de-clustering of a subset of eight centromeres in the humanized strains. Other genomic dysfunctions linked to human nucleosome particle include lack of prominent initiation of early origins of replication and dysregulation of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) metabolism.