Structural basis of histone H4 recognition by p55

Genes Dev. 2008 May 15;22(10):1313-8. doi: 10.1101/gad.1653308. Epub 2008 Apr 28.

Abstract

p55 is a common component of many chromatin-modifying complexes and has been shown to bind to histones. Here, we present a crystal structure of Drosophila p55 bound to a histone H4 peptide. p55, a predicted WD40 repeat protein, recognizes the first helix of histone H4 via a binding pocket located on the side of a beta-propeller structure. The pocket cannot accommodate the histone fold of H4, which must be altered to allow p55 binding. Reconstitution experiments show that the binding pocket is important to the function of p55-containing complexes. These data demonstrate that WD40 repeat proteins use various surfaces to direct the modification of histones.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / chemistry*
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / genetics
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / metabolism*
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Drosophila Proteins / chemistry*
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
  • Histones / chemistry
  • Histones / metabolism*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Chaperones / chemistry*
  • Molecular Chaperones / genetics
  • Molecular Chaperones / metabolism*
  • Mutant Proteins / chemistry
  • Mutant Proteins / metabolism
  • Peptide Fragments / chemistry
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Repetitive Sequences, Amino Acid / genetics
  • Repetitive Sequences, Amino Acid / physiology
  • Retinoblastoma-Binding Protein 4

Substances

  • Caf1-55 protein, Drosophila
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Histones
  • Molecular Chaperones
  • Mutant Proteins
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Retinoblastoma-Binding Protein 4