Distinct properties of human HMGN5 reveal a rapidly evolving but functionally conserved nucleosome binding protein.

ABSTRACT: The HMGN family is a family of nucleosome-binding architectural proteins that affect the structure and function of chromatin in vertebrates. We report that the HMGN5 variant, encoded by a gene located on chromosome X, is a rapidly evolving protein with an acidic C-terminal domain that differs among vertebrate species. We found that the intranuclear organization and nucleosome interactions of human HMGN5 are distinct from those of mouse HMGN5 and that the C-terminal region of the protein is the main determinant of the chromatin interaction properties. Despite their apparent differences, both mouse and human HMGN5 proteins interact with histone H1, reduce its chromatin residence time, and can induce large-scale chromatin decompaction in living cells. Analysis of HMGN5 mutants suggests that d

SUBMITTER: Malicet C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3133374 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature