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Chromatin assembly factors and the challenges of DNA replication and repair
Author(s) -
Almouzni Geneviève
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.421.1
Subject(s) - chromatin , nucleosome , histone , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , dna replication , histone code , eukaryotic dna replication , genetics , control of chromosome duplication , origin recognition complex , computational biology , dna
Inheritance and maintenance of the DNA sequence and its organization into chromatin are central for eukaryotic life. To orchestrate DNA‐replication and ‐repair processes in the context of chromatin is a challenge. Factors have been isolated from cell extracts that stimulate early steps in chromatin assembly in vitro . One such factor, chromatin assembly factor‐1 (CAF‐1), facilitates nucleosome formation coupled to DNA synthesis. It is thought to participate in a marking system at the crossroads of DNA replication and repair to monitor genome integrity and to define particular epigenetic states. We have now identified a chromatin assembly pathway independent of DNA synthesis involving the HIRA protein. Notably, CAF‐1 is part of the histone H3 complex, H3.1 complex (replicative form) and HIRA of the H3.3 complex (replacement form) (Tagami et al, 2004, Nakatani et al, 2004). In addition, another histone chaperone, Asf1, has to be integrated in a network of interactions leading to nucleosome deposition. A major goal in our laboratory is now to better integrate the function of these factors in vivo during development and also in connection with replication, repair and control of histone pools. We will discuss our recent findings on this topics and the interrelationships with other assembly factors.