Interaction Of H1 Research Articles

Abstract 1846 Understanding the impact of lymphoma-associated missense mutations on linker histone H1 dynamics and interactions

Abstract 1846 Understanding the impact of lymphoma-associated missense mutations on linker histone H1 dynamics and interactions

Single molecule evidence for linker histone H1 DNA sliding and nucleosomal bypassing regulated by the C-terminal disordered domain.

Linker histone H1 proteins are amongst the most ubiquitous chromatin-binding proteins in eukaryotic cells. H1 binds to nucleosomes via interactions of the winged helix domain (WHD) with both the nucleosomal DNA at the dyad and the linker DNA that extends out from the nucleosome. The C-terminal domain (CTD) of H1 is a key domain for linker histone function, which includes regulating nucleosomal DNA wrapping, chromatin compaction, and transcription factor occupancy. Currently, dynamics of the DNA binding interactions between different H1 subtypes in the context of chromatin is poorly understood. Using an optical trap single molecule strategy combined with confocal microscopy, we investigated the DNA binding interactions between two different subtypes of human H1, H1.0 and H1.2, and nucleosomal DNA. We determined the impact of mechanical force on H1 binding interactions with linker and nucleosomal DNA, the role of the H1 CTD in regulating DNA binding interactions, and the regulation of linker histone H1 interactions with DNA by the linker histone chaperone protein Nap1. Our findings reveal the importance of the H1 CTD on how linker histones load onto DNA and find their nucleosome targets. These findings can help advance the biophysical and structural understanding of the mechanism behind how linker histone H1 targets nucleosomes to regulate chromatin compaction and transcription.

DNA Sequence-Dependent Binding of Linker Histone gH1 Regulates Nucleosome Conformations.

Sequence-dependent binding between DNA and proteins in chromatin is an essential part of gene expression. Linker histone H1 is an important protein in the regulation of chromatin compartmentalization and compaction, and its binding with the nucleosome is sensitive to the DNA sequence. Although the interactions of H1 and DNA have been widely investigated, the mechanism of nucleosome conformation changes induced by the DNA-sequence-dependent binding with gH1 (globular H1.0) remains largely unclear at the atomic level. In the present molecular dynamics simulations, both linker and dyad DNAs were mutated to investigate the conformational changes of the nucleosome induced by the sequence-dependent binding of gH1 based on the on-dyad binding mode. Our results indicate that gH1 is insensitive to the DNA sequence of the dyad DNA but presents an apparent preference to linker DNA with an AT-rich sequence. Moreover, this specific binding induces the entry/exit region of a nucleosome to a tight conformation and regulates the accessibility of core histones. Considering that the entry/exit region of the nucleosome is a crucial binding site for many functional proteins related to gene expression, the conformational change at this region could represent an important gene regulation signal.

Unravelling the thermodynamics and binding interactions of bovine serum albumin (BSA) with thiazole based carbohydrazide: Multi-spectroscopic, DFT and molecular dynamics approach

In the present manuscript, a novel 2-((4-chlorophenyl)amino)-N'-(4-(diethylamino)-2-hydroxybenzylidene)thiazole-4-carbohydrazide (H1) has been synthesized and characterized using various spectroscopic techniques including 1D, 2D NMR, FT-IR and single-crystal XRD. Various electrostatic parameters such as frontier molecular orbital (FMO), natural bond orbital (NBO), Fukui functions and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties were explored by Density Functional Theory (DFT) using B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level of theory. The effect of solvent polarity on electronic absorption spectra was investigated using Time dependent-DFT. The thermodynamic parameters such as heat capacity, entropy and enthalpy were also investigated at different temperatures. Moreover, photophysical studies were performed to examine the effect of solvent polarity and viscosity. A positive solvatochromism and a 7 fold fluorescence enhancement were observed with the increase of solvent polarity and viscosity, respectively. The compound exhibit aggregation-induced emission in THF:H2O system. The binding interaction of H1 with BSA and its mechanism has been investigated using UV-visible absorption and fluorescence quenching techniques. The thermodynamics of binding suggest the presence of spontaneous hydrogen bonding interactions, as –ve values of ΔG, ΔS and ΔH were observed. The experimental results obtained from BSA binding studies were validated through in silico molecular docking and dynamics techniques. Molecular modelling studies perfectly corroborate the experimentally obtained results.

EHBP1, TUBB, and WWOX SNPs, Gene-Gene and Gene-Environment Interactions on Coronary Artery Disease and Ischemic Stroke.

The associations among the EH domain-binding protein 1 (EHBP1), tubulin beta class I (TUBB), and WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and coronary artery disease (CAD) and ischemic stroke (IS) are not yet understood. This study aimed to detect the associations of these SNPs, gene-gene and gene-environment interactions and CAD and IS in the Guangxi Han population. A total of 1853 unrelated subjects were recruited into normal control (n = 638), CAD (n = 622), and IS (n = 593) groups. Related genotypes were determined by high-throughput sequencing. The genotypic and minor allelic frequencies of rs2278075 were different between the CAD and control groups, and those of rs2710642, rs3130685, and rs2278075 were also different between the IS and control groups. The rs2278075T allele, rs3130685-rs2222896-rs2278075, rs3130685-rs2222896-diabetes, rs3130685-rs2222896-drinking, and haplotype rs2710642A-rs10496099C-diabetes interactions were associated with increased risk, while G-T-G-C-G-A and G-T-T-T-G-T-drinking were associated with reduced risk of CAD. The rs2278075T and rs2710642G alleles, rs2710642G-rs10496099C haplotype, rs3130685-rs2278075-rs2222896, and rs2710642-rs2278075-hypertension interactions aggravated the association with IS, whereas the rs3130685T allele, rs2710642A-rs10496099C haplotype and the interactions of H1 (s2710642A-rs10496099C)-H2 (rs2710642G-rs10496099C)-drinking and I1 (A-C-G-C-A-A)-I3 (A-C-G-T-A-A)-I4 (A-C-G-T-G-A)-I5 (G-T-G-C-G-A) diminished the association with IS. Carrying WWOX rs2278075T was strongly associated with CAD or IS, while EHBP1 rs2710642 and TUBB rs3130685 might alter the association of IS by modifying the serum lipid profile. This study demonstrates that the EHBP1, TUBB, and WWOX SNPs, gene-gene and gene-environment interactions are associated with the risk of CAD and IS in the Guangxi Han population.

Binding of phosphorothioate oligonucleotides with RNase H1 can cause conformational changes in the protein and alter the interactions of RNase H1 with other proteins.

We recently found that toxic PS-ASOs can cause P54nrb and PSF nucleolar mislocalization in an RNase H1-dependent manner. To better understand the underlying mechanisms of these observations, here we utilize different biochemical approaches to demonstrate that PS-ASO binding can alter the conformations of the bound proteins, as illustrated using recombinant RNase H1, P54nrb, PSF proteins and various isolated domains. While, in general, binding of PS-ASOs or ASO/RNA duplexes stabilizes the conformations of these proteins, PS-ASO binding may also cause the unfolding of RNase H1, including both the hybrid binding domain and the catalytic domain. The extent of conformational change correlates with the binding affinity of PS-ASOs to the proteins. Consequently, PS-ASO binding to RNase H1 induces the interaction of RNase H1 with P54nrb or PSF in a 2′-modification and sequence dependent manner, and toxic PS-ASOs tend to induce more interactions than non-toxic PS-ASOs. PS-ASO binding also enhances the interaction between P54nrb and PSF. However, the interaction between RNase H1 and P32 protein can be disrupted upon binding of PS-ASOs. Together, these results suggest that stronger binding of PS-ASOs can cause greater conformational changes of the bound proteins, subsequently affecting protein–protein interactions. These observations thus provide deeper understanding of the molecular basis of PS-ASO-induced protein mislocalization or degradation observed in cells and advance our understanding of why some PS-ASOs are cytotoxic.

Molecular mechanism of histone variant H2A.B on stability and assembly of nucleosome and chromatin structures

BackgroundH2A.B, the most divergent histone variant of H2A, can significantly modulate nucleosome and chromatin structures. However, the related structural details and the underlying mechanism remain elusive to date. In this work, we built atomic models of the H2A.B-containing nucleosome core particle (NCP), chromatosome, and chromatin fiber. Multiscale modeling including all-atom molecular dynamics and coarse-grained simulations were then carried out for these systems.ResultsIt is found that sequence differences at the C-terminal tail, the docking domain, and the L2 loop, between H2A.B and H2A are directly responsible for the DNA unwrapping in the H2A.B NCP, whereas the N-terminus of H2A.B may somewhat compensate for the aforementioned unwrapping effect. The assembly of the H2A.B NCP is more difficult than that of the H2A NCP. H2A.B may also modulate the interactions of H1 with both the NCP and the linker DNA and could further affect the higher-order structure of the chromatin fiber.ConclusionsThe results agree with the experimental results and may shed new light on the biological function of H2A.B. Multiscale modeling may be a valuable tool for investigating structure and dynamics of the nucleosome and the chromatin induced by various histone variants.

Identification of PARP-1, Histone H1 and SIRT-1 as New Regulators of Breast Cancer-Related Aromatase Promoter I.3/II.

Paracrine interactions between malignant estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer cells and breast adipose fibroblasts (BAFs) stimulate estrogen biosynthesis by aromatase in BAFs. In breast cancer, mainly the cAMP-responsive promoter I.3/II-region mediates excessive aromatase expression. A rare single nucleotide variant (SNV) in this promoter region, which caused 70% reduction in promoter activity, was utilized for the identification of novel regulators of aromatase expression. To this end, normal and mutant promoter activities were measured in luciferase reporter gene assays. DNA-binding proteins were captured by DNA-affinity and identified by mass spectrometry. The DNA binding of proteins was analyzed using electrophoretic mobility shift assays, immunoprecipitation-based in vitro binding assays and by chromatin immunoprecipitation in BAFs in vivo. Protein expression and parylation were analyzed by western blotting. Aromatase activities and RNA-expression were measured in BAFs. Functional consequences of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) knock-out, rescue or overexpression, respectively, were analyzed in murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and the 3T3-L1 cell model. In summary, PARP-1 and histone H1 (H1) were identified as critical regulators of aromatase expression. PARP-1-binding to the SNV-region was crucial for aromatase promoter activation. PARP-1 parylated H1 and competed with H1 for DNA-binding, thereby inhibiting its gene silencing action. In MEFs (PARP-1 knock-out and wild-type) and BAFs, PARP-1-mediated induction of the aromatase promoter showed bi-phasic dose responses in overexpression and inhibitor experiments, respectively. The HDAC-inhibitors butyrate, panobinostat and selisistat enhanced promoter I.3/II-mediated gene expression dependent on PARP-1-activity. Forskolin stimulation of BAFs increased promoter I.3/II-occupancy by PARP-1, whereas SIRT-1 competed with PARP-1 for DNA binding but independently activated the promoter I.3/II. Consistently, the inhibition of both PARP-1 and SIRT-1 increased the NAD+/NADH-ratio in BAFs. This suggests that cellular NAD+/NADH ratios control the complex interactions of PARP-1, H1 and SIRT-1 and regulate the interplay of parylation and acetylation/de-acetylation events with low NAD+/NADH ratios (reverse Warburg effect), promoting PARP-1 activation and estrogen synthesis in BAFs. Therefore, PARP-1 inhibitors could be useful in the treatment of estrogen-dependent breast cancers.

Peptide AEDL alters chromatin conformation via histone binding

Eukaryotic DNA is tightly packed into chromatin, a DNA–protein structure that exists as transcriptionally permissive euchromatin or repressive heterochromatin. Post-translational modification of histones plays a key role in regulating chromatin dynamics. Short peptides derived from various sources are known to function as epigenetic modulators; however, their mechanisms of action are poorly understood. We addressed this issued by investigating the effect of peptide AEDL on chromatin structure in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), a commercially important plant species. The chromatin of tobacco interphase cells is characterized by the presence of zones of transcriptionally active domains and particular domains of condensed chromatin of cells that partially coincide with heterochromatin zones. Chromatin decondensation and the formation of euchromatin, accompanied by the activation of genes expression activity, are a determining factor in responses to stressful effects. Our results show that plants grown in the presence of 10⁻⁷ M peptide AEDL transformed condensed chromatin domains from 45% in control cells to 25%. Histone modifications, which constitute the so-called histone code, play a decisive role in the control of chromatin structure. Fluorescence quenching experiments using fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled histones revealed that the linker histone H1 and complexes of core H3 and H1 histones with DNA bound to peptide AEDL in a 1: 1 molar ratio. The peptide was found to bind to the N-terminal lysine residue of H1 and the lysine residue at position 36 of the H3 C terminus. These interactions of histones H1 and H3 with AEDL peptide loosened the tightly packed chromatin structure, getting transcriptionally active euchromatin. Our findings provide novel insight into the mechanism of gene regulation by short peptides and have implications for breeding more resistant or productive varieties of tobacco and other crops.

Molecular Mechanism of the Pin1-Histone H1 Interaction.

Pin1 is an essential peptidyl-prolyl isomerase (PPIase) that catalyzes cis-trans prolyl isomerization in proteins containing pSer/Thr-Pro motifs. It has an N-terminal WW domain that targets these motifs and a C-terminal PPIase domain that catalyzes isomerization. Recently, Pin1 was shown to modify the conformation of phosphorylated histone H1 and stabilize the chromatin-H1 interaction by increasing its residence time. This Pin1-histone H1 interaction plays a key role in pathogen response, in infection, and in cell cycle control; therefore, anti-Pin1 therapeutics are an important focus for treating infections as well as cancer. Each of the H1 histones (H1.0-H1.5) contains several potential Pin1 recognition pSer/pThr-Pro motifs. To understand the Pin1-histone H1 interaction fully, we investigated how both the isolated WW domain and full-length Pin1 interact with three H1 histone substrate peptide sequences that were previously identified as important binding partners (H1.1, H1.4, and H1.5). NMR spectroscopy was used to measure the binding affinities and the interdomain dynamics upon binding to these sequences. We observed different KD values depending on the histone binding site, suggesting that energetics play a role in guiding the Pin1-histone interaction. While interdomain interactions vary between the peptides, we find no evidence for allosteric activation for the histone H1 substrates.

An NMR Study of Pin1- Histone H1 Interactions

Pin1 is an essential Peptidyl-prolyl isomerase (PPIase) that catalyzes cis-trans prolyl isomerization in proteins containing pSer/Thr-Pro motifs. It has an N-terminal WW domain and a C-terminal PPIase domain. Pin1 targets pSer/Thr-Pro motifs by its WW binding domain and catalyzes isomerization through its PPIase domain. Recently, Pin1 was shown to modify the conformation of phosphorylated Histone H1 and to stabilize the chromatin-H1 interaction by increasing its residence time. The Pin1/Histone H1 interaction plays a key role in pathogen response in infection and cell cycle control; therefore, anti-Pin1 therapeutics is an important target for treating infections as well as cancer. The H1 Histones (H1.0-H1.5) each contain several potential Pin1 recognition (pT/pS)-P motifs. To understand this interaction fully, we have investigated how both the isolated WW domain and full length Pin1 bind to these H1 Histone substrates. NMR spectroscopy has been used to measure the binding affinities of Pin1 with select H1 sequences (H1.1, H1.4 & H1.5), and the inter-domain dynamics upon binding theses sequences have been measured. We observe different Kd values depending on the histone binding site, suggesting that energetics play a role in guiding the Pin1-Histone interaction. Relaxation data has revealed that bound Pin1 can behave as two independent domains connected by a flexible linker, or as a single rigid molecule, depending on the Histone H1 sequence. In the long term, we believe these studies will help to reveal not only the specifics of the Pin1-Histone H1 interaction, but also how Pin1 interacts with its substrates in general.

Linker histones: novel insights into structure-specific recognition of the nucleosome.

Linker histones (H1s) are a primary component of metazoan chromatin, fulfilling numerous functions, both in vitro and in vivo, including stabilizing the wrapping of DNA around the nucleosome, promoting folding and assembly of higher order chromatin structures, influencing nucleosome spacing on DNA, and regulating specific gene expression. However, many molecular details of how H1 binds to nucleosomes and recognizes unique structural features on the nucleosome surface remain undefined. Numerous, confounding studies are complicated not only by experimental limitations, but the use of different linker histone isoforms and nucleosome constructions. This review summarizes the decades of research that has resulted in several models of H1 association with nucleosomes, with a focus on recent advances that suggest multiple modes of H1 interaction in chromatin, while highlighting the remaining questions.

A quantitative investigation of linker histone interactions with nucleosomes and chromatin.

Linker histones such as H1 are abundant basic proteins that bind tightly to nucleosomes, thereby acting as key organizers of chromatin structure. The molecular details of linker histone interactions with the nucleosome, and in particular the contributions of linker DNA and of the basic C-terminal tail of H1, are controversial. Here we combine rigorous solution-state binding assays with native gel electrophoresis and Atomic Force Microscopy, to quantify the interaction of H1 with chromatin. We find that H1 binds nucleosomes and nucleosomal arrays with very tight affinity by recognizing a specific DNA geometry minimally consisting of a solitary nucleosome with a single ~18 base pair DNA linker arm. The association of H1 alters the conformation of trinucleosomes so that only one H1 can bind to the two available linker DNA regions. Neither incorporation of the histone variant H2A.Z, nor the presence of neighboring nucleosomes affects H1 affinity. Our data provide a comprehensive thermodynamic framework for this ubiquitous chromatin architectural protein.

Functional interplay between histone H1 and HMG proteins in chromatin

The dynamic interaction of nucleosome binding proteins with their chromatin targets is an important element in regulating the structure and function of chromatin. Histone H1 variants and High Mobility Group (HMG) proteins are ubiquitously expressed in all vertebrate cells, bind dynamically to chromatin, and are known to affect chromatin condensation and the ability of regulatory factors to access their genomic binding sites. Here, we review the studies that focus on the interactions between H1 and HMGs and highlight the functional consequences of the interplay between these architectural chromatin binding proteins. H1 and HMG proteins are mobile molecules that bind to nucleosomes as members of a dynamic protein network. All HMGs compete with H1 for chromatin binding sites, in a dose dependent fashion, but each HMG family has specific effects on the interaction of H1 with chromatin. The interplay between H1 and HMGs affects chromatin organization and plays a role in epigenetic regulation. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Histone H1, edited by Dr. Albert Jordan.

The Role of Histone H1 in S. cerevisiae

Linker histone H1 is a fundamental component of chromatin in eukaryotes with unclear functions in chromosome biology. We are utilizing genetic and biochemical approaches to determine the role of histone H1 in chromatin structure and function in budding yeast. First, we are assessing the effects of H1 gene deletions in strains with point mutations in core histones H3 and H4. With changes in silencing as a sensitive reporter for changes in chromatin, we are identifying H1's interaction with the nucleosome and overall function in chromatin. When H1 is deleted, we find a statistical overrepresentation of specific histone region mutations with the same silencing phenotype, such as the H3 tail deletions, suggesting that H1 is interacting with specific regions of the nucleosome. Through a biochemical lens, we are also addressing how histone H1 interacts structurally with DNA. To examine its binding specificity to DNA, we are examining histone H1's association with holiday junctions in vitro. Through the approaches of genetics and structural biology, we will gain insight on the role of histone H1 in chromatin.

Interaction of a peptide derived from C-terminus of human TRPA1 channel with model membranes mimicking the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane

The transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 channel (TRPA1) belongs to the TRP cation channel superfamily that responds to a panoply of stimuli such as changes in temperature, calcium levels, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and lipid mediators among others. The TRP superfamily has been implicated in diverse pathological states including neurodegenerative disorders, kidney diseases, inflammation, pain and cancer. The intracellular C-terminus is an important regulator of TRP channel activity. Studies with this and other TRP superfamily members have shown that the C-terminus association with lipid bilayer alters channel sensitivity and activation, especially interactions occurring through basic residues. Nevertheless, it is not yet clear how this process takes place and which regions in the C-terminus would be responsible for such membrane recognition. With that in mind, herein the first putative membrane interacting region of the C-terminus of human TRPA1, (corresponding to a 29 residue peptide, IAEVQKHASLKRIAMQVELHTSLEKKLPL) named H1 due to its potential helical character was chosen for studies of membrane interaction.The affinity of H1 to lipid membranes, H1 structural changes occurring upon this interaction as well as effects of this interaction in lipid organization and integrity were investigated using a biophysical approach. Lipid models systems composed of zwitterionic and anionic lipids, namely those present in the lipid membrane inner leaflet, where H1 is prone to interact, where used. The study reveals a strong interaction and affinity of H1 as well as peptide structuration especially with membranes containing anionic lipids. Moreover, the interactions and peptide structure adoption are headgroup specific.

Proteomic Characterization of the Nucleolar Linker Histone H1 Interaction Network

To investigate the relationship between linker histone H1 and protein–protein interactions in the nucleolus, we used biochemical and proteomics approaches to characterize nucleoli purified from cultured human and mouse cells. Mass spectrometry identified 175 proteins in human T cell nucleolar extracts that bound to Sepharose-immobilized H1 in vitro. Gene ontology analysis found significant enrichment for H1 binding proteins with functions related to nucleolar chromatin structure and RNA polymerase I transcription regulation, rRNA processing, and mRNA splicing. Consistent with the affinity binding results, H1 existed in large (400 to >650kDa) macromolecular complexes in human T cell nucleolar extracts. To complement the biochemical experiments, we investigated the effects of in vivo H1 depletion on protein content and structural integrity of the nucleolus using the H1 triple isoform knockout (H1ΔTKO) mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC) model system. Proteomic profiling of purified wild-type mESC nucleoli identified a total of 613 proteins, only ~60% of which were detected in the H1 mutant nucleoli. Within the affected group, spectral counting analysis quantitated 135 specific nucleolar proteins whose levels were significantly altered in H1ΔTKO mESC. Importantly, the functions of the affected proteins in mESC closely overlapped with those of the human T cell nucleolar H1 binding proteins. Immunofluorescence microscopy of intact H1ΔTKO mESC demonstrated both a loss of nucleolar RNA content and altered nucleolar morphology resulting from in vivo H1 depletion. We conclude that H1 organizes and maintains an extensive protein–protein interaction network in the nucleolus required for nucleolar structure and integrity.

Drosophila linker histone H1 coordinates STAT-dependent organization of heterochromatin and suppresses tumorigenesis caused by hyperactive JAK-STAT signaling.

BackgroundWithin the nucleus of eukaryotic cells, chromatin is organized into compact, silent regions called heterochromatin and more loosely packaged regions of euchromatin where transcription is more active. Although the existence of heterochromatin has been known for many years, the cellular factors responsible for its formation have only recently been identified. Two key factors involved in heterochromatin formation in Drosophila are the H3 lysine 9 methyltransferase Su(var)3-9 and heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1). The linker histone H1 also plays a major role in heterochromatin formation in Drosophila by interacting with Su(var)3-9 and helping to recruit it to heterochromatin. Drosophila STAT (Signal transducer and activator of transcription) (STAT92E) has also been shown to be involved in the maintenance of heterochromatin, but its relationship to the H1-Su(var)3-9 heterochromatin pathway is unknown. STAT92E is also involved in tumor formation in flies. Hyperactive Janus kinase (JAK)-STAT signaling due to a mutation in Drosophila JAK (Hopscotch) causes hematopoietic tumorsResultsWe show here that STAT92E is a second partner of H1 in the regulation of heterochromatin structure. H1 physically interacts with STAT92E and regulates its ectopic localization in the chromatin. Mis-localization of STAT92E due to its hyperphosphorylation or H1 depletion disrupts heterochromatin integrity. The contribution of the H1-STAT pathway to heterochromatin formation is mechanistically distinct from that of H1 and Su(var)3-9. The recruitment of STAT92E to chromatin by H1 also plays an important regulatory role in JAK-STAT induced tumors in flies. Depleting the linker histone H1 in flies carrying the oncogenic hopscotch Tum-l allele enhances tumorigenesis, and H1 overexpression suppresses tumorigenesis.ConclusionsOur results suggest the existence of two independent pathways for heterochromatin formation in Drosophila, one involving Su(var)3-9 and HP1 and the other involving STAT92E and HP1. The H1 linker histone directs both pathways through physical interactions with Su(var)3-9 and STAT92E, as well with HP1. The physical interaction of H1 and STAT92E confers a regulatory role on H1 in JAK-STAT signaling. H1 serves as a molecular reservoir for STAT92E in chromatin, enabling H1 to act as a tumor suppressor and oppose an oncogenic mutation in the JAK-STAT signaling pathway.

The H1 very forward proton spectrometer at HERA

The very forward proton spectrometer, VFPS, is a component of the H1 detector at the HERA collider. Scattered protons emitted with a polar angle less than 1mrad and carrying a fractional energy 1−xP, 0.008<xP≤0.028 of the incident proton beam energy can be detected by scintillating fiber detectors which are read out by position sensitive photo-multipliers. These detectors are contained in Roman pot stations which are moved close to the circulating proton beam. The structure, operation and performance of the two Roman pot stations located at about 220m from the H1 interaction point in the cryogenic section of the proton ring are described.

Interaction of HMG proteins and H1 with hybrid PNA–DNA junctions

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of inserting peptide nucleic acid (PNA) sequences into the protein-binding surface of an immobilized four-way junction (4WJ). Here we compare the classic immobile DNA junction, J1, with two PNA containing hybrid junctions (4WJ-PNA1 and 4WJ-PNA3 ). The protein interactions of each 4WJ were evaluated using recombinant high mobility group proteins from rat (HMGB1b and HMGB1b/R26A) and human histone H1. In vitro studies show that both HMG and H1 proteins display high binding affinity toward 4WJ's. A 4WJ can access different conformations depending on ionic environment, most simply interpreted by a two-state equilibrium between: (i) an open-x state favored by absence of Mg(2+), low salt, and protein binding, and (ii) a compact stacked-x state favored by Mg(2+). 4WJ-PNA3, like J1, shifts readily from an open to stacked conformation in the presence of Mg(+2), while 4WJ-PNA1 does not. Circular dichroism spectra indicate that HMGB1b recognizes each of the hybrid junctions. H1, however, displays a strong preference for J1 relative to the hybrids. More extensive binding analysis revealed that HMGB1b binds J1 and 4WJ-PNA3 with nearly identical affinity (K(D)s) and 4WJ-PNA1 with two-fold lower affinity. Thus both the sequence/location of the PNA sequence and the protein determine the structural and protein recognition properties of 4WJs.