Structural insights into the human NuA4/TIP60 acetyltransferase and chromatin remodeling complex.

Abstract

The human NuA4/TIP60 co-activator complex, a fusion of the yeast SWR1 and NuA4 complexes, both incorporates the histone variant H2A.Z into nucleosomes and acetylates histones H4/H2A/H2A.Z to regulate gene expression and maintain genome stability. Our cryo-electron microscopy studies show that, within the NuA4/TIP60 complex, the EP400 subunit serves as a scaffold holding the different functional modules in specific positions, creating a unique arrangement of the ARP module. EP400 interacts with the TRRAP subunit using a footprint that overlaps with that of the SAGA acetyltransferase complex, preventing the formation of a hybrid complex. Loss of the TRRAP subunit leads to mislocalization of NuA4/TIP60, resulting in the redistribution of H2A.Z and its acetylation across the genome, emphasizing the dual functionality of NuA4/TIP60 as a single macromolecular assembly.