Histone H2A mobility is regulated by its tails and acetylation of core histone tails

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2007 Jun 8;357(3):627-32. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2007.03.203. Epub 2007 Apr 10.

Abstract

Histone tail domains play important roles in cellular processes, such as replication, transcription, and chromosome condensation. Histone H2A has one central and two tail domains, and their functions have mainly been studied from a biochemical perspective. In addition, analyses based on visualization have been employed for functional analysis of some chromatin proteins. In this study, we analyzed histone H2A mobility in vivo by two-photon FRAP, and elucidated that the histone H2A N- and C-terminal tails regulate its mobility. We found that histone H2A mobility was increased following treatment of host cells with a histone deacetylase inhibitor. Our results support a model in which core histone tails directly regulate transcription by interacting with nucleosome DNA via electrostatic interactions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylation
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching / methods*
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • HeLa Cells
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
  • Histones / chemistry
  • Histones / genetics
  • Histones / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Hydroxamic Acids / pharmacology
  • Immunoblotting
  • Mutation
  • Protein Transport / drug effects
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Time Factors
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
  • Histones
  • Hydroxamic Acids
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • trichostatin A