Seminars in cell and development biology on histone variants remodelers of H2A variants associated with heterochromatin

Semin Cell Dev Biol. 2023 Feb 15:135:93-101. doi: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.02.026. Epub 2022 Mar 4.

Abstract

Variants of the histone H2A occupy distinct locations in the genome. There is relatively little known about the mechanisms responsible for deposition of specific H2A variants. Notable exceptions are chromatin remodelers that control the dynamics of H2A.Z at promoters. Here we review the steps that identified the role of a specific class of chromatin remodelers, including LSH and DDM1 that deposit the variants macroH2A in mammals and H2A.W in plants, respectively. The function of these remodelers in heterochromatin is discussed together with their multiple roles in genome stability.

Keywords: Chromatin; Epigenetics; Histone variants; Remodelers; Transposons.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biology
  • Chromatin
  • Heterochromatin* / genetics
  • Histones* / genetics
  • Histones* / metabolism
  • Mammals / genetics
  • Nucleosomes
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic

Substances

  • Histones
  • Heterochromatin
  • Chromatin
  • Nucleosomes