Decylubiquinol impedes mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I activity

In this study, indirect immunofluorescence labeling was used to examine the cellular dynamic distribution of Thr11 phosphorylated H3 at mitosis in MCF-7 cells. The Thr11 phosphorylation was observed beginning at prophase at centromeres. Upon progression of mitosis, fluorescence signal was enhanced in the central region of the metaphase plate and maintained till anaphase at centromeres. During telophase, the fluorescent signal of Thr11 phosphorylated H3 disappears from centromeres, but the signal appears again at the midbody during cytokinesis, which suggests that the modified histones may take part in the formation of the midbody and play a crucial role in cytokinesis. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) was used to confirm that Thr11 phosphorylated H3 is specifically associated with centromere DNA at prophase to metaphase, which is coincident with the results observed by immunofluorescence. In conclusion, there was a precise spatial and temporal correlation between H3 phosphorylation of Thr11 and stages of chromatin condensation. The timing of Thr11 phosphorylation and dephosphorylation in mitosis were similar to that reported for Ser10 phosphorylation of H3. The Thr11 phosphorylated H3 localized at centromeres during mitosis, which was different from the Ser10 phosphorylated H3 localized at telomere regions and Thr3 phosphorylated H3 localized along the chromosome arms. The results suggest that the Thr11 phosphorylation of histone H3 may play a specific role which was different from Ser10 and Thr3 phosphorylation in mitosis.     

Thr11磷酸化组蛋白H3在MCF-7细胞有丝分裂中的动态分布

组蛋白H3在氨基末端Ser10、Ser28、Thr11和Thr3等氨基酸残基的磷酸化修饰是一类在时间上和空间上与细胞有丝分裂相关的翻译后修饰事件。为了研究Thr11位点磷酸化作用的功能,利用SDS-PAGE、Western Blot、间接免疫荧光标记技术和激光共聚焦显微技术检测分析了人乳腺癌细胞(MCF-7)中Thr11磷酸化组蛋白H3在有丝分裂过程中的动态分布,以研究其在有丝分裂过程中的功能。结果显示:在MCF-7细胞中,组蛋白H3 Thr11的磷酸化发生在早前期细胞染色体的着丝粒处,成点状分布,继而在早中期达到最高水平,并以点状集中在赤道板上,在有丝分裂后期开始脱磷酸化,并于末期完成脱磷酸化。事实表明,H3 Thr11的磷酸化与细胞有丝分裂过程存在着时间和空间上的相关性。Thr11磷酸化H3只存在于着丝粒表明它可能参与有丝分裂期间功能性动原体的组成。这与Ser10磷酸化H3的分布及可能的功能截然相反。     

Ser-10 phosphorylated histone H3 is involved in cytokinesis as a chromosomal passenger

Ser-10 phosphorylation of histone H3 is revealed to be relative to chromosome condensation at prophase during mitosis. In this report, we demonstrate using immunofluorescence microscopy that the subcellular distribution of the Ser-10 phosphorylated histone H3 was similar to that characteristic of chromosomal passenger proteins during the terminal stages of cytokinesis. Co-immunoprecipitation indicates that the Ser-10 phosphorylated histone H3 is associated with the aurora B, and both of the proteins were compacted into a complex with special ternary structure located in the centre of the midbody. When the level of the Ser-10 phosphorylated histone H3 was reduced by RNA interference, the cells formed an aberrant midbody and could not complete cytokinesis successfully. This evidence suggests that Ser-10 phosphorylated histone H3 is a chromosomal passenger protein and plays a crucial role in cytokinesis.     

Dynamic distribution of Ser-10 phosphorylated histone H3 in cytoplasm of MCF-7 and CHO cells during mitosis

The dynamic distribution of phosphorylated Histone H3 on Serl 0 (phospho-H3) in cells was investigated to determine its function during mitosis. Human breast adenocarcinoma cells MCF-7, and Chinese hamster cells CHO were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence staining with an antibody against phospho-H3. We found that the phosphorylation begins at early prophase, and spreads throughout the chromosomes at late prophase. At metaphase, most of the phospho-H3 aggregates at the end of the condensed entity of chromosomes at equatorial plate. During anaphase and telophase,the fluorescent signal of phospho-H3 is detached from chromosomes into cytoplasm. At early anaphase, phospho-H3 shows ladder bands between two sets of separated chromosome, and forms “sandwich-like structure” when the chromosomes condensed. With the cleavage progressing, the “ladders” of the histone contract into a bigger bright dot. Then the histone aggregates and some of compacted microtubules in the midbody region are composed into a “bar-like”complex to separate daughter cells. The daughter cells seal their plasma membrane along with the ends of the “bar”,inside which locates microtubules and modified histones, to finish the cytokinesis and keep the “bar complex” out of the cells. The specific distribution and kinetics of phospho-H3 in cytoplasm suggest that the modified histones may take part in the formation of midbody and play a crucial role in cytokinesis.     

The special location of p-H3 and p-CENP-A on heterochromatin during mitosis in MCF-7

CENP-A locates at nucleosome as histone H3-like proteins, and is phosphorylated during mitosis. We investigated the dynamic distribution of p-CENP-A to explore the details of its function. We found that p-CENP-A was phosphorylated at late prophase, and the signal of p-CENP-A arranged at equatorial plate along with nucleosomes at metaphase, but moved to midbody at later phase of mitosis. The phosphorylation modification of CENP-A shares some characters of H3, but has different temporal patterns during mitosis. Our results suggested that the CENP-A might have similar functions as H3, but with different patterns for their different binging materials. Dengwen Li and Ruming Liu had contributed equally to this paper.     

A network of players in H3 histone variant deposition and maintenance at centromeres

Centromeres are key chromosomal landmarks important for chromosome segregation and are characterized by distinct chromatin features. The centromeric histone H3 variant, referred to as CENP-A or CenH3^CENP-A in mammals, has emerged as a key determinant for centromeric structure, function and epigenetic inheritance. To regulate the correct incorporation and maintenance of histones at this locus, the cell employs an intricate network of molecular players, among which histone chaperones and chromatin remodelling factors have been identified over the past years. The mammalian centromere-specific chaperone HJURP represents an interesting paradigm to understand the functioning of this network. This review highlights and discusses the latest findings on centromeric histone H3 variant deposition and regulation to delineate the current view on centromere establishment, maintenance and propagation throughout the cell cycle. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Chromatin and epigenetic regulation of animal development.     

磷酸化组蛋白H3在小麦有丝分裂与减数分裂中的分布

在细胞周期中 ,与染色质凝集偶联的一类组蛋白修饰是组蛋白H3的磷酸化。运用H3_Ser 10磷酸化的特异性抗体 ,通过间接免疫荧光标记检测了磷酸化组蛋白H3在小麦 (TriticumaestivumL .)有丝分裂与减数分裂细胞中的分布。有丝分裂时 ,H3磷酸化起始于早前期 ,消失于末期 ,在中期与后期 ,H3磷酸化主要分布在着丝粒两侧的异染色质区。减数分裂时 ,H3磷酸化起始于细线期向偶线期转换时 ,并且从前期Ⅰ到后期Ⅰ保持均一分布于整个染色体上 ,直到末期Ⅰ消失 ,而中期Ⅱ与后期Ⅱ在着丝粒两侧的异染色质区的信号略强于染色体臂 ,直至消失于末期Ⅱ。磷酸化组蛋白H3在两类细胞分裂中的不同分布暗示这种保守的翻译后修饰可能发挥着除参与染色体凝集外的更复杂的作用。     

磷酸化组蛋白H3在小麦有丝分裂与减数分裂中的分布

在细胞周期中, 与染色质凝集偶联的一类组蛋白修饰是组蛋白H3的磷酸化.运用H3-Ser 10磷酸化的特异性抗体,通过间接免疫荧光标记检测了磷酸化组蛋白H3在小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)有丝分裂与减数分裂细胞中的分布.有丝分裂时,H3磷酸化起始于早前期,消失于末期,在中期与后期,H3磷酸化主要分布在着丝粒两侧的异染色质区.减数分裂时,H3磷酸化起始于细线期向偶线期转换时,并且从前期Ⅰ到后期Ⅰ保持均一分布于整个染色体上,直到末期Ⅰ消失,而中期Ⅱ与后期Ⅱ在着丝粒两侧的异染色质区的信号略强于染色体臂,直至消失于末期Ⅱ.磷酸化组蛋白H3在两类细胞分裂中的不同分布暗示这种保守的翻译后修饰可能发挥着除参与染色体凝集外的更复杂的作用.     

Polybromo-1-bromodomains bind histone H3 at specific acetyl-lysine positions

The human polybromo-1 protein is thought to localize the Polybromo, BRG1-associated factors chromatin-remodeling complex to kinetochores during mitosis via direct interaction of its six tandem bromodomains with acetylated nucleosomes. Bromodomains are acetyl-lysine binding modules roughly 100 amino acids in length originally found in chromatin associated proteins. Previous studies verified acetyl-histone binding by each bromodomain, but site-specificity, a central tenet of the histone code hypothesis, was not examined. Here, the acetylation site-dependence of bromodomain-histone interactions was examined using steady-state fluorescence anisotropy. Results indicate that single bromodomains bind specific acetyl-lysine sites within the histone tail with sub-micromolar affinity. Identification of duplicate target sites suggests that native Pb1 interacts with both copies of histone H3 upon nucleosome assembly. Quantitative analysis of single bromodomain-histone interactions can be used to develop hypotheses regarding the histone acetylation pattern that acts as the binding target of the native polybromo-1 protein.     

Holocarboxylase synthetase is a chromatin protein and interacts directly with histone H3 to mediate biotinylation of K9 and K18

Holocarboxylase synthetase (HCS) mediates the binding of biotin to lysine (K) residues in histones H2A, H3 and H4; HCS knockdown disturbs gene regulation and decreases stress resistance and lifespan in eukaryotes. We tested the hypothesis that HCS interacts physically with histone H3 for subsequent biotinylation. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments were conducted and provided evidence that HCS co-localizes with histone H3 in human cells; physical interactions between HCS and H3 were confirmed using limited proteolysis assays. Yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) studies revealed that the N-terminal and C-terminal domains in HCS participate in H3 binding. Recombinant human HCS was produced and exhibited biological activity, as evidenced by biotinylation of its known substrate, recombinant p67. Recombinant histone H3.2 and synthetic H3-based peptides were also good targets for biotinylation by recombinant HCS (rHCS) in vitro, based on tracing histone-bound biotin with [³H]biotin, streptavidin and anti-biotin antibody. Biotinylation site-specific antibodies were generated and revealed that both K9 and K18 in H3 were biotinylated by HCS. Collectively, these studies provide conclusive evidence that HCS interacts directly with histone H3, causing biotinylation of K9 and K18. We speculate that the targeting of HCS to distinct regions in human chromatin is mediated by DNA sequence, biotin, RNA, epigenetic marks or chromatin proteins.     

JMJD3 is a histone H3K27 demethylase

Histone methylation is an important epigenetic phenomenon that participates in a diverse array of cellular processes and has been found to be associated with cancer. Recent identification of several histone demethylases has proved that histone methylation is a reversible process. Through a candidate approach, we have biochemically identified JMJD3 as an H3K27 demethylase. Transfection of JMJD3 into HeLa cells caused a specific reduction oftrimethyl H3K27, but had no effect on di-and monomethyl H3K27, or histone lysine methylations on H3K4 and H3K9. The enzymatic activity requires the JmjC domain and the conserved histidine that has been suggested to be important for a cofactor binding. In vitro biochemical experiments demonstrated that JMJD3 directly catalyzes the demethylation. In addition, we found that JMJD3 is upregulated in prostate cancer, and its expression is higher in metastatic prostate cancer. Thus, we identified JMJD3 as a demethylase capable of removing the trimethyl group from histone H3 lysine 27 and upregulated in prostate cancer.     

The Drosophila Df31 protein interacts with histone H3 tails and promotes chromatin bridging in vitro

Df31 is a small hydrophilic protein from Drosophila melanogaster that can act as a histone chaperone in vitro. The protein is also detected as an integral component of chromatin, present at approximately the same level as histone H1. We have developed a simple assay to measure protein binding to oligonucleosomes and used it to characterise the DF31-oligonucleosome interaction. DF31 bound to chromatin in vitro at a level comparable to that observed in vivo. The DF31-chromatin interaction required the presence of core histone tails but binding was independent of the presence of H1 in the chromatin. Multiple regions of DF31 contributed to the interaction. Df31-chromatin binding still occurred on chromatin containing only H3/4, and cross-linking experiments showed that Df31 made intimate contact with H3, suggesting that this might be the primary contact site. Finally, using immobilised chromatin templates, we showed that DF31 promoted interstrand bridging between two independent oligonucleosome chains. These results provide strong evidence for a structural role of DF31 in chromatin folding and give an indication of the mechanism involved.     

Distinct chromatin environment associated with phosphorylated H3S10 histone during pollen mitosis I in orchids

Pollen developmental pathway in plants involving synchronized transferal of cellular divisions from meiosis (microsporogenesis) to mitosis (pollen mitosis I/II) eventually offers a unique “meiosis-mitosis shift” at pollen mitosis I. Since the cell type (haploid microspore) and fate of pollen mitosis I differ from typical mitosis (in meristem cells), it is immensely important to analyze the chromosomal distribution of phosphorylated H3S10 histone during atypical pollen mitosis I to comprehend the role of histone phosphorylation in pollen development. We investigated the chromosomal phosphorylation of H3S10 histone during pollen mitosis I in orchids using immunostaining technique. The chromosomal distribution of H3S10ph during pollen mitosis I revealed differential pattern than that of typical mitosis in plants, however, eventually following the similar trends of mitosis in animals where H3S10 phosphorylation begins in the pericentromeric regions first, later extending to the whole chromosomes, and finally declining at anaphase/early cytokinesis (differentiation of vegetative and generative cells). The study suggests that the chromosomal distribution of H3S10ph during cell division is not universal and can be altered between different cell types encoded for diverse cellular processes. During pollen development, phosphorylation of histone might play a critical role in chromosome condensation events throughout pollen mitosis I in plants.     

利用免疫荧光标记研究磷酸化组蛋白H3在乳腺癌细胞中的分布

在时间上与细胞周期相关并且在功能上又与染色质凝集偶联的一类组蛋白翻译后修饰就是组蛋白H3磷酸化。运用一个针对H3 Ser10磷酸化的特异性抗体 ,通过SDS PAGE、免疫印迹和免疫荧光标记检测了磷酸化H3在MCF 7细胞周期中的分布。共聚焦显微结果显示 :H3磷酸化在早前期细胞核膜附近以斑点状起始 ,之后扩展到整个凝集的染色质上 ,然后在早中期达到最高水平。H3去磷酸化开始于有丝分裂后期 ,很快在末期完成 ,而此时末期细胞凝集的染色质并未完全解凝集。H3磷酸化与染色质初期凝集之间存在着精确的时间和空间上的相关性。另外 ,对H3磷酸化可能的作用进行了讨论。     

Deacetylation and methylation at histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) coordinate chromosome condensation during cell cycle progression

Interphasic chromatin condenses into the chromosomes in order to facilitate the correct segregation of genetic information. It has been previously reported that the phosphorylation and methylation of the N-terminal tail of histone H3 are responsible for chromosome condensation. In this study, we demonstrate that the deacetylation and methylation of histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) are required for proper chromosome condensation. We confirmed that H3K9ac levels were reduced, whereas H3K9me3 levels were increased in mitotic cells, via immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis. Nocodazole treatment induced G2/M arrest but co-treatment with TSA, an HDAC inhibitor, delayed cell cycle progression. However, the HMTase inhibitor, AdoX, had no effect on nocodazole-induced G2/M arrest, thereby indicating that sequential modifications of H3K9 are required for proper chromosome condensation. The expression of SUV39H1 and SETDB1, H3K9me3-responsible HMTases, are specifically increased along with H3K9me3 in nocodazole-arrested buoyant cells, which suggests that the increased expression of those proteins is an important step in chromosome condensation. H3K9me3 was highly concentrated in the vertical chromosomal axis during prophase and prometaphase. Collectively, the results of this study indicate that sequential modifications at H3K9 are associated with correct chromosome condensation, and that H3K9me3 may be relevant to the condensation of chromosome length.     

Cdc48Ufd1/Npl4 segregase removes mislocalized centromeric histone H3 variant CENP-A from non-centromeric chromatin

Restricting the localization of CENP-A (Cse4 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae) to centromeres prevents chromosomal instability (CIN). Mislocalization of overexpressed CENP-A to non-centromeric chromatin contributes to CIN in budding and fission yeasts, flies, and humans. Overexpression and mislocalization of CENP-A is observed in cancers and is associated with increased invasiveness. Mechanisms that remove mislocalized CENP-A and target it for degradation have not been defined. Here, we report that Cdc48 and its cofactors Ufd1 and Npl4 facilitate the removal of mislocalized Cse4 from non-centromeric chromatin. Defects in removal of mislocalized Cse4 contribute to lethality of overexpressed Cse4 in cdc48,ufd1 andnpl4 mutants. High levels of polyubiquitinated Cse4 and mislocalization of Cse4 are observed in cdc48-3, ufd1-2 and npl4-1mutants even under normal physiological conditions, thereby defining polyubiquitinated Cse4 as the substrate of the ubiquitin directed segregase Cdc48^Ufd1/Npl4. Accordingly, Npl4, the ubiquitin binding receptor, associates with mislocalized Cse4, and this interaction is dependent on Psh1-mediated polyubiquitination of Cse4. In summary, we provide the first evidence for a mechanism that facilitates the removal of polyubiquitinated and mislocalized Cse4 from non-centromeric chromatin. Given the conservation of Cdc48^Ufd1/Npl4 in humans, it is likely that defects in such pathways may contribute to CIN in human cancers.