Author's School

Arts & Sciences

Author's Department

Biology

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2014

Originally Published In

Eissenberg JC, Elgin SC. HP1a: a structural chromosomal protein regulating transcription. Trends Genet. 2014;30(3):103–110. doi:10.1016/j.tig.2014.01.002

Abstract

Heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1a in Drosophila) is a conserved eukaryotic chromosomal protein that is prominently associated with pericentric heterochromatin and mediates the concomitant gene silencing. Mechanistic studies implicate HP1 family proteins as 'hub proteins,' able to interact with a variety of chromosomal proteins through the chromo-shadow domain (CSD), as well as to recognize key histone modification sites [primarily histone H3 di/trimethyl Lys9 (H3K9me2/3)] through the chromodomain (CD). Consequently, HP1 has many important roles in chromatin architecture and impacts both gene expression and gene silencing, utilizing a variety of mechanisms. Clearly, HP1 function is altered by context, and potentially by post-translational modifications (PTMs). Here, we report on recent ideas as to how this versatile protein accomplishes its diverse functions. Keywords: HP1a; chromodomain; gene expression; silencing.

Comments

© 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved Corresponding author:Elgin, S.C.R. (selgin@biology.wustl.edu). Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.

ORCID

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5176-2510 [Elgin]

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