Chromatin & Epigenetics
Gametic specialization of centromeric histone paralogs in Drosophila virilisSomatic and germline centromeric functions could differ because of different chromatin environments in male and female gametes versus somatic cells. We show that two different centromeric histone paralogs are alternately retained in male versus female gametes in many Drosophila species.
In utero exposure to chlordecone affects histone modifications and activates LINE-1 in cord bloodIn utero exposure to chlordecone affects chromatin and leads to activation of retroelements. This study shows the changes induced by chlordecone in human umbilical cord blood and blood-derived cell line.
Replicated chromatin curtails 53BP1 recruitment in BRCA1-proficient and BRCA1-deficient cellsThis study demonstrates how single cell normalization to genome size provides insight into genome function, here in the context of DNA double-strand break repair by 53BP1 versus BRCA1–BARD1.
RNA polymerase backtracking results in the accumulation of fission yeast condensin at active genesUsing both experiments and mathematical modelling, the authors show that RNA polymerase backtracking contributes to the accumulation of condensin in the termination zone of active genes.
Structural basis of nucleosomal histone H4 lysine 20 methylation by SET8 methyltransferaseCryo-EM structures of the human SET8–nucleosome complexes reveal the mechanism by which the SET8 methyltransferase binds the nucleosome and specifically recognizes the histone H4 lysine-20 residue.
Different mutant RUNX1 oncoproteins program alternate haematopoietic differentiation trajectoriesUsing integrated genome-wide and phenotypic methods this study investigates four different mutant RUNX1 oncoproteins and reveals how they differentially contribute to aberrant haematopoiesis.
The uncharacterized protein FAM47E interacts with PRMT5 and regulates its functionsThe uncharacterized protein FAM47E interacts with and stabilizes the protein arginine methyltransferase PRMT5, regulating its epigenetic functions thereby modulating target gene expression.
The chromatin landscape of primary synovial sarcoma organoids is linked to specific epigenetic mechanisms and dependenciesWe have addressed the mechanisms by which the fusion protein SS18-SSX modifies the epigenome toward the development of synovial sarcoma and the establishment of its potentially targetable vulnerabilities.
Polycomb mutant partially suppresses DNA hypomethylation–associated phenotypes in ArabidopsisA mutation in Arabidopsis polycomb repressive complex 2 partially suppresses the transposon activity observed in a DNA methylation mutant, challenging expectations.
Mps2 links Csm4 and Mps3 to form a telomere-associated LINC complex in budding yeastThe canonical LINC complex is composed of two different transmembrane proteins; this work reveals the heterotrimeric composition of the telomere-associated LINC complex in budding yeast.