GSE106585
Swr1 mediated H2A.ZPht1 incorporation designates centromere DNA for de novo CENP-ACnp1 assembly
The centromere is the location on each chromosome that directs the assembly of the kinetochore. The underlying hallmark of centromeres in most eukaryotes is the presence of specialised nucleosomes in which canonical histone H3 is replaced by the histone H3 variant CENP-A. The molecular events that mediate a programme to install CENP-A in place of histone H3, at centromeres and how the centromeric chromatin is reorganised for CENP-A assembly during cell cycle remain poorly characterised. Histone H2A variant, H2A.Z is linked to transcriptional competence, in maintaining heterochromatin silencing and enriched in CENP-A chromatin. Our analyses demonstrate that H2A.ZPht1 and the Swr1 complex are associated with CENP-ACnp1 chromatin in fission yeast. Swr1 and Msc1 regulate H2A.ZPht1 deposition at centromeres and along with H2A.ZPht1 maintain CENP-ACnp1 chromatin integrity. Additionally, they coordinate the deposition of CENP-ACnp1 through the cell cycle, coupled with eviction of histone H3 from centromeres. Based on our results, we propose that the centromere is programmed to the widespread incorporation of H2A.ZPht1 via Swr1, and that H2A.ZPht1 dynamics likely play a role in regulating centromeric chromatin by influencing CENP-A incorporation. Overall design: ChIP-seq for CENP-A, H2A.Z and SWR1 chromatin remodeling complex