HP1α is a chromatin crosslinker that controls nuclear and mitotic chromosome mechanics.

ABSTRACT: Chromatin, which consists of DNA and associated proteins, contains genetic information and is a mechanical component of the nucleus. Heterochromatic histone methylation controls nucleus and chromosome stiffness, but the contribution of heterochromatin protein HP1α (CBX5) is unknown. We used a novel HP1α auxin-inducible degron human cell line to rapidly degrade HP1α. Degradation did not alter transcription, local chromatin compaction, or histone methylation, but did decrease chromatin stiffness. Single-nucleus micromanipulation reveals that HP1α is essential to chromatin-based mechanics and maintains nuclear morphology, separate from histone methylation. Further experiments with dimerization-deficient HP1α^I165E indicate that chromatin crosslinking via HP1α dimerization is critica

SUBMITTER: Strom AR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8233041 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature