Single amino-acid differences define H2B variants and modify chromatin accessibility to induce EMT in breast cancer.

ABSTRACT: Histones scaffold genomic DNA and regulate access to the transcriptional machinery. However, naturally occurring histone variants can alter histone-DNA interactions, DNA and histone modifications, and the chromatin interactome. Hence, alterations in histone variant deposition can disrupt chromatin, and are increasingly recognized as a way to trigger various disease, including cancer. While significant attention has been placed on the biochemical and functional roles of H2A, H3, and H4 histone variants, the variants of H2B remain largely understudied. Here, we show that H2B variants are dysregulated in breast cancer and that certain variants are associated with specific breast cancer subtypes. HIST1H2BO overexpression (in particular) is more common in Asian, African American/Black, and youn

SUBMITTER: Dhahri H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12867764 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature