An Overview of Chromatin-Regulating Proteins in Cells

Curr Protein Pept Sci. 2016;17(5):401-10. doi: 10.2174/1389203717666160122120310.

Abstract

In eukaryotic cells, gene expressions on chromosome DNA are orchestrated by a dynamic chromosome structure state that is largely controlled by chromatin-regulating proteins, which regulate chromatin structures, release DNA from the nucleosome, and activate or suppress gene expression by modifying nucleosome histones or mobilizing DNA-histone structure. The two classes of chromatinregulating proteins are 1) enzymes that modify histones through methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, adenosine diphosphate-ribosylation, glycosylation, sumoylation, or ubiquitylation and 2) enzymes that remodel DNA-histone structure with energy from ATP hydrolysis. Chromatin-regulating proteins, which modulate DNA-histone interaction, change chromatin conformation, and increase or decrease the binding of functional DNA-regulating protein complexes, have major functions in nuclear processes, including gene transcription and DNA replication, repair, and recombination. This review provides a general overview of chromatin-regulating proteins, including their classification, molecular functions, and interactions with the nucleosome in eukaryotic cells.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acetylation
  • Animals
  • Chromatin / chemistry
  • Chromatin / genetics*
  • Chromatin / metabolism*
  • Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly*
  • DNA Repair
  • DNA Replication
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Methylation
  • Nucleoproteins / metabolism*
  • Nucleosomes / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Recombination, Genetic
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • Histones
  • Nucleoproteins
  • Nucleosomes