Nucleosomal regulation of chromatin composition and nuclear assembly revealed by histone depletion. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Nucleosomes are the fundamental unit of chromatin, but analysis of transcription-independent nucleosome functions has been complicated by the gene-expression changes resulting from histone manipulation. Here we solve this dilemma by developing Xenopus laevis egg extracts deficient for nucleosome formation and by analyzing the proteomic landscape and behavior of nucleosomal chromatin and nucleosome-free DNA. We show that although nucleosome-free DNA can recruit nuclear-envelope membranes, nucleosomes are required for spindle assembly and for formation of the lamina and of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs). We show that, in addition to the Ran G-nucleotide exchange factor RCC1, ELYS, the initiator of NPC formation, fails to associate with naked DNA but directly binds histone H2A-H2B dimers and nucleosomes. Tethering ELYS and RCC1 to DNA bypasses the requirement for nucleosomes in NPC formation in a synergistic manner. Thus, the minimal essential function of nucleosomes in NPC formation is to recruit RCC1 and ELYS.

publication date

  • June 22, 2014

Research

keywords

  • Histones
  • Nucleosomes

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC4082469

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 84903898018

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1038/nsmb.2845

PubMed ID

  • 24952593

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 21

issue

  • 7