Yeast CAF-1 assembles histone (H3-H4)2 tetramers prior to DNA deposition

Following acetylation, newly synthesized H3-H4 is directly transferred from the histone chaperone anti-silencing factor 1 (Asf1) to chromatin assembly factor 1 (CAF-1), another histone chaperone that is critical for the deposition of H3-H4 onto replicating DNA. However, it is unknown how CAF-1 binds and delivers H3-H4 to the DNA. Here, we show that CAF-1 binds recombinant H3-H4 with 10- to 20-fold higher affinity than H2A-H2B in vitro, and H3K56Ac increases the binding affinity of CAF-1 toward H3-H4 2-fold. These results provide a quantitative thermodynamic explanation for the specific H3-H4 histone chaperone activity of CAF-1. Surprisingly, H3-H4 exists as a dimer rather than as a canonical tetramer at mid-to-low nanomolar concentrations. A single CAF-1 molecule binds a cross-linked (H3-H4)₂ tetramer, or two H3-H4 dimers that contain mutations at the (H3-H4)₂ tetramerization interface. These results suggest that CAF-1 binds to two H3-H4 dimers in a manner that promotes formation of a (H3-H4)₂ tetramer. Consistent with this idea, we confirm that CAF-1 synchronously binds two H3-H4 dimers derived from two different histone genes in vivo. Together, the data illustrate a clear mechanism for CAF-1-associated H3-H4 chaperone activity in the context of de novo nucleosome (re)assembly following DNA replication.     

The activity of the histone chaperone yeast Asf1 in the assembly and disassembly of histone H3/H4-DNA complexes

The deposition of the histones H3/H4 onto DNA to give the tetrasome intermediate and the displacement of H3/H4 from DNA are thought to be the first and the last steps in nucleosome assembly and disassembly, respectively. Anti-silencing function 1 (Asf1) is a chaperone of the H3/H4 dimer that functions in both of these processes. However, little is known about the thermodynamics of chaperone–histone interactions or the direct role of Asf1 in the formation or disassembly of histone–DNA complexes. Here, we show that Saccharomyces cerevisiae Asf1 shields H3/H4 from unfavorable DNA interactions and aids the formation of favorable histone–DNA interactions through the formation of disomes. However, Asf1 was unable to disengage histones from DNA for tetrasomes formed with H3/H4 and strong nucleosome positioning DNA sequences or tetrasomes weakened by mutant (H3K56Q/H4) histones or non-positioning DNA sequences. Furthermore, Asf1 did not associate with preformed tetrasomes. These results are consistent with the measured affinity of Asf1 for H3/H4 dimers of 2.5 nM, which is weaker than the association of H3/H4 for DNA. These studies support a mechanism by which Asf1 aids H3/H4 deposition onto DNA but suggest that additional factors or post-translational modifications are required for Asf1 to remove H3/H4 from tetrasome intermediates in chromatin.     

Cell-cycle-regulated control of VSG expression site silencing by histones and histone chaperones ASF1A and CAF-1b in Trypanosoma brucei

Antigenic variation in African trypanosomes involves monoallelic expression and reversible silencing of variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) genes found adjacent to telomeres in polycistronic expression sites (ESs). We assessed the impact on ES silencing of five candidate essential chromatin-associated factors that emerged from a genome-wide RNA interference viability screen. Using this approach, we demonstrate roles in VSG ES silencing for two histone chaperones. Defects in S-phase progression in cells depleted for histone H3, or either chaperone, highlight in particular the link between chromatin assembly and DNA replication control. S-phase checkpoint arrest was incomplete, however, allowing G₂/M-specific VSG ES derepression following knockdown of histone H3. In striking contrast, knockdown of anti-silencing factor 1A (ASF1A) allowed for derepression at all cell cycle stages, whereas knockdown of chromatin assembly factor 1b (CAF-1b) revealed derepression predominantly in S-phase and G₂/M. Our results support a central role for chromatin in maintaining VSG ES silencing. ASF1A and CAF-1b appear to play constitutive and DNA replication-dependent roles, respectively, in the recycling and assembly of chromatin. Defects in these functions typically lead to arrest in S-phase but defective cells can also progress through the cell cycle leading to nucleosome depletion and derepression of telomeric VSG ESs.     

The effect of poly(ADP-ribose) on interactions of DNA with histones H1, H3 and H4

The competition between poly(ADP-ribose) and DNA for binding of the histones H1, H3 and H4 was studied, using a membrane filter-binding test. Poly(ADP-ribose) differently affected the interaction between DNA and the individual histones. While poly(ADP-ribose) effectively competed with DNA for binding of histone H4, it equally competed with DNA for binding of histone H3 and only inefficiently competed with DNA for binding of histone H1. Moreover, preformed complexes were correspondingly affected by the addition of competing polynucleotides, thereby also indicating the reversibility of complex formation. The competition capacity of DNA for histone H4 binding did not depend on DNA size. Competition experiments with poly(A) also indicated that poly(ADP-ribose) preferentially affected DNA-histone H4 interaction. The significance of the differing binding properties is discussed with regard to the possible molecular function of poly(ADP-ribose), especially with regard to its potential effect on nucleosome structure.     

Characterization of two different Asf1 histone chaperones with distinct cellular localizations and functions in Trypanosoma brucei

The anti-silencing function protein 1 (Asf1) is a chaperone that forms a complex with histones H3 and H4 facilitating dimer deposition and removal from chromatin. Most eukaryotes possess two different Asf1 chaperones but their specific functions are still unknown. Trypanosomes, a group of early-diverged eukaryotes, also have two, but more divergent Asf1 paralogs than Asf1 of higher eukaryotes. To unravel possible different functions, we characterized the two Asf1 proteins in Trypanosoma brucei. Asf1A is mainly localized in the cytosol but translocates to the nucleus in S phase. In contrast, Asf1B is predominantly localized in the nucleus, as described for other organisms. Cytosolic Asf1 knockdown results in accumulation of cells in early S phase of the cell cycle, whereas nuclear Asf1 knockdown arrests cells in S/G2 phase. Overexpression of cytosolic Asf1 increases the levels of histone H3 and H4 acetylation. In contrast to cytosolic Asf1, overexpression of nuclear Asf1 causes less pronounced growth defects in parasites exposed to genotoxic agents, prompting a function in chromatin remodeling in response to DNA damage. Only the cytosolic Asf1 interacts with recombinant H3/H4 dimers in vitro. These findings denote the early appearance in evolution of distinguishable functions for the two Asf1 chaperons in trypanosomes.     

The interaction of histone H3 with histone H4 and with other histones studied by 19F nuclear magnetic resonance.

The behaviour, upon variations in ionic strength, pH and temperature of 19F nuclear nuclear magnetic resonance signals of the trifluoroacetonylated derivative of histone H3 is compared with those of the H3-H4 complex and of the Hv fraction (an equimolar mixture of H2A, H2B, H3 and h4). The line width of the 19F-labelled histone H3 signals increases with ionic strength or pH, an effect consistent with aggregation of the protein. In the case of H3-H4 complex or Hv the line width decreases at intermediate ionic strengths (0.1-0.25 M NaCl). This effect is interpreted as the consequence of the formation of a well defined structure with ionic strength. At high salt concentrations the line width increases as a consequence of the final rigid quaternary structure or of the formation of higher aggregates.     

Modeling H3 histone N-terminal tail and linker DNA interactions

Molecular dynamics computer simulations were performed for the 25-residue N-terminal tail of the H3 histone protein in the proximity of a DNA segment of 10 base pairs (bp), representing a model for the linker DNA in chromatin. Several least biased configurations were used as initial configurations. The secondary structure content of the protein was increased by the presence of DNA close to it, but the locations of the secondary motifs were different for different initial orientations of the DNA grooves with respect to the protein. As a common feature to all simulations, the electrostatic attraction between negatively charged DNA and positively charged protein was screened by the water solvent and counterbalanced by the intrinsic compaction of the protein due to hydrophobic effects. The protein secondary structure limited the covering of DNA by the protein to 4-5 bp. The degree of compaction and charge density of the bound protein suggests a possible role of H3 tail in a nonspecific bending and plasticity of the linker DNA when the protein is located in the crowded dense chromatin.     

Novel nucleosomal particles containing core histones and linker DNA but no histone H1

Eukaryotic chromosomal DNA is assembled into regularly spaced nucleosomes, which play a central role in gene regulation by determining accessibility of control regions. The nucleosome contains ∼147 bp of DNA wrapped ∼1.7 times around a central core histone octamer. The linker histone, H1, binds both to the nucleosome, sealing the DNA coils, and to the linker DNA between nucleosomes, directing chromatin folding. Micrococcal nuclease (MNase) digests the linker to yield the chromatosome, containing H1 and ∼160 bp, and then converts it to a core particle, containing ∼147 bp and no H1. Sequencing of nucleosomal DNA obtained after MNase digestion (MNase-seq) generates genome-wide nucleosome maps that are important for understanding gene regulation. We present an improved MNase-seq method involving simultaneous digestion with exonuclease III, which removes linker DNA. Remarkably, we discovered two novel intermediate particles containing 154 or 161 bp, corresponding to 7 bp protruding from one or both sides of the nucleosome core. These particles are detected in yeast lacking H1 and in H1-depleted mouse chromatin. They can be reconstituted in vitro using purified core histones and DNA. We propose that these ‘proto-chromatosomes’ are fundamental chromatin subunits, which include the H1 binding site and influence nucleosome spacing independently of H1.     

ADP-ribosylation of pancreatic histone H1 and of other histones

Incubation of pancreatic nuclei with high NAD concentrations resulted in increased ADP-ribosylation of histone H1. Interaction of [3H]ADP-ribosylated histone H1 with chromatin was significantly different from unmodified histone H1. The presence of a protein which is eluted at a lower salt concentration and which is ADP-ribosylated was also noticed. Pancreatic histones were isolated by column chromatography and their degree of ADP-ribosylation evaluated both by gel electrophoresis and by chromatography: histone H1 was the main acceptor while the core histones H3, H2B, and H2A were lightly labelled. Histones H1 and H1(0) have a differential binding to pancreatic chromatin and histone H1(0) is not ADP-ribosylated.     

Specific folding and contraction of DNA by histones H3 and H4.

We demonstrate that the arginine-rich histones H3 and H4 can introduce torsional constraints on closed circular DNA with a concomitant compaction of the nucleic acid. SV40 DNA I complexed with H3 and H4 appears relaxed in electron micrographs and contains particles of 75 +/- 10 A in diameter along the DNA. SV40 DNA I is contracted 2.75 +/- 0.25 fold by all the four smaller histones and 2.6 +/- 0.4 fold by H3 and H4 alone. The arginine-rich histones can cause the topological equivalent of unwinding the DNA close to one Watson-Crick turn per particle formed. Spherical nucleoprotein complexes morphologically similar to isolated nu bodies or nucleosomes are obtained by association of H3 and H4 with 140 base pair length DNA isolated from chromatin core particles. These reconstituted particles sediment at 9.8S, as compared to 10.8S for native core particles, and contain a tetramer of the arginine-rich histones. None of these specific alterations in DNA structure is seen om complexing the slightly lysine rich-histones H2A and H2B to DNA. Our data provide further evidence indicating that the arginine-rich histones are the major determinants of the architecture of DNA within the chromatin core particle.     

Photo-induced crosslinking of histones H3 and H1 to DNA in deoxyribonucleoprotein: implication in studying histone-DNA interactions.

A thymine-modified derivative of histone H3, isolated as a result of heat treatment of covalently crosslinked DNA-protein photoadduct from UV-irradiated chromatin, was obtained. Sequence analysis of one of its tryptic peptides revealed that lysine-14 of the N-terminal tail of the histone H3 molecule covalently binds to thymine residue of DNA. This type of UV-crosslinking is most probably the only type for histone H3 and, possibly, for H1.     

Non-histone chromosomal protein HMG1 modulates the histone H1-induced condensation of DNA

Circular dichroic spectra revealed that the previously known regular, asymmetric condensation of DNA by H1 histone was modulated by HMG1, a nonhistone chromosomal protein. Under approximately physiological salt and pH conditions (150 mM NaCl, pH 7), ellipticities at 270 nm were observed as follows: DNA, 9 X 10(3) degree, cm2/dmol nucleotide; DNA X H1 histone complex (1:0.4, w/w), -37 X 10(3) degree, cm2/dmol nucleotide, and DNA X H1 X HMG1 complex (1:0.4:0.4 w/w/w), -52 X 10(3) degree, cm2/dmol. HMG1 by itself did not distort the spectrum of DNA, showing that the effect of HMG1 on the DNA X H1 complex was not simply the summation of individual effects of HMG1 and H1 on the DNA spectrum. The effect of added HMG1 on the spectrum of the preformed DNA X H1 complex depended on the amount of HMG1 added and developed slowly (a day) as if a structure required annealing. The ternary complex, DNA X HMG1 X 1, seemed to represent a specific structure, since its formation depeNded on the reduced sulfhydryl state of HMG1; the disulfide form of HMG1, which was shown by circular dichroism to contain more random coil than did the reduced form, had no effect on the circular dichroic spectrum of the DNA X H1 complex.     

Different types of plant chromatin associated with modified histones H3 and H4 and methylated DNA

Eukaryotic chromosomes are organized into two large and distinct domains, euchromatin and heterochromatin, which are cytologically characterized by different degrees of chromatin compaction during interphase/prophase and by post-synthesis modifications of histones and DNA methylation. Typically, heterochromatin remains condensed during the entire cell cycle whereas euchromatin is decondensed at interphase. However, a fraction of the euchromatin can also remain condensed during interphase and appears as early condensing prophase chromatin. 5S and 45S rDNA sites and telomere DNA were used to characterize these regions in metaphase and interphase nuclei. We investigated the chromosomal distribution of modified histones and methylated DNA in the early and late condensing prophase chromatin of two species with clear differentiation between these domains. Both species, Costus spiralis and Eleutherine bulbosa, additionally have a small amount of classical heterochromatin detected by CMA/DAPI staining. The distribution of H4 acetylated at lysine 5 (H4K5ac), H3 phosphorylated at serine 10 (H3S10ph), H3 dimethylated at lysine 4 or 9 (H3K4me2, H3K9me2), and 5-methylcytosine was compared in metaphase, prophase, and interphase cells by immunostaining with specific antibodies. In both species, the late condensing prophase chromatin was highly enriched in H4K5ac and H3K4me2 whereas the early condensing chromatin was very poor in these marks. H3K9me2 was apparently uniformly distributed along the chromosomes whereas the early condensing chromatin was slightly enriched in 5-methylcytosine. Signals of H3S10ph were restricted to the pericentromeric region of all chromosomes. Notably, none of these marks distinguished classical heterochromatin from the early condensing euchromatin. It is suggested that the early condensing chromatin is an intermediate type between classical heterochromatin and euchromatin.