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Histone dynamics mediate DNA unwrapping and sliding in nucleosomes

Author

Listed:
  • Grigoriy A. Armeev

    (Lomonosov Moscow State University
    Sirius University of Science and Technology)

  • Anastasiia S. Kniazeva

    (Lomonosov Moscow State University)

  • Galina A. Komarova

    (Lomonosov Moscow State University)

  • Mikhail P. Kirpichnikov

    (Lomonosov Moscow State University
    Russian Academy of Sciences)

  • Alexey K. Shaytan

    (Lomonosov Moscow State University
    Sirius University of Science and Technology
    HSE University)

Abstract

Nucleosomes are elementary building blocks of chromatin in eukaryotes. They tightly wrap ∼147 DNA base pairs around an octamer of histone proteins. How nucleosome structural dynamics affect genome functioning is not completely clear. Here we report all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of nucleosome core particles at a timescale of 15 microseconds. At this timescale, functional modes of nucleosome dynamics such as spontaneous nucleosomal DNA breathing, unwrapping, twisting, and sliding were observed. We identified atomistic mechanisms of these processes by analyzing the accompanying structural rearrangements of the histone octamer and histone-DNA contacts. Octamer dynamics and plasticity were found to enable DNA unwrapping and sliding. Through multi-scale modeling, we showed that nucleosomal DNA dynamics contribute to significant conformational variability of the chromatin fiber at the supranucleosomal level. Our study further supports mechanistic coupling between fine details of histone dynamics and chromatin functioning, provides a framework for understanding the effects of various chromatin modifications.

Suggested Citation

  • Grigoriy A. Armeev & Anastasiia S. Kniazeva & Galina A. Komarova & Mikhail P. Kirpichnikov & Alexey K. Shaytan, 2021. "Histone dynamics mediate DNA unwrapping and sliding in nucleosomes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-22636-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22636-9
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    Cited by:

    1. Shuxiang Li & Tiejun Wei & Anna R. Panchenko, 2023. "Histone variant H2A.Z modulates nucleosome dynamics to promote DNA accessibility," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.

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