A human homologue of yeast anti‐silencing factor has histone chaperone activity

• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2443.2000.00319.x
• Publication Date: 2003-03-11T22:45:37Z
• Authors: Tsubasa Munakata; Nobuaki Adachi; Natsuko Yokoyama; Takashi Kuzuhara; Masami Horikoshi
• Keywords: Chaperone (clinical)

Background Structural changes in chromatin play essential roles regulating eukaryotic gene expression. Silencing, potent repression of transcription Saccharomyces cerevisiae , occurs near telomeres and at the silent mating‐type loci, as well rDNA loci. This type relates to condensation that heterochromatin multicellular organisms. Anti‐silencing is a reaction by which silenced loci are de‐repressed. Genetic studies revealed several factors participate anti‐silencing reaction. However, actions molecular mechanisms underlying remain unknown. Results Here we report functional activity highly evolutionarily conserved human factor termed CIA (CCG1‐interacting A), whose budding yeast homologue ASF1 has activity. Using two‐hybrid screening, isolated histone H3 an interacting CIA. We also showed binds histones H3/H4 vitro region located C‐terminal helices. Considering role histone‐interacting protein, found forms nucleosome‐like structure with DNA histones. Conclusions These results show CIA, factor, possesses chaperone leads better understanding relationship between structural processes.