Histone cleavage as a mechanism for epigenetic regulation: current insights and perspectives.

TitleHistone cleavage as a mechanism for epigenetic regulation: current insights and perspectives.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2014
AuthorsZhou P, Wu E, Alam HB, Li Y
JournalCurr Mol Med
Volume14
Issue9
Pagination1164-72
Date Published2014
ISSN1875-5666
KeywordsAnimals, Epigenesis, Genetic, Factor VII, Histones, Humans, Inflammation, Leukocyte Elastase, Protein C, Protein Processing, Post-Translational, Proteolysis
Abstract

Discovered over a century ago, histones constitute one of the oldest families of proteins and have been remarkably conserved throughout eukaryotic evolution. However, only for the past 30 years have histones demonstrated that their influence extends far beyond packaging DNA. To create the various chromatin structures that are necessary for DNA function in higher eukaryotes, histones undergo posttranslational modifications. While many such modifications are well documented, others, such as histone tail cleavage are less understood. Recent studies have discovered several proteases that cleave histones and have suggested roles for clipped histones in stem cell differentiation and aging in addition to infection and inflammation; the underlying mechanisms, however, are uncertain. One histone class in particular, histone H3, has received outstanding interest due to its numerous N-terminal modification sites and prevalence in regulating homeostatic processes. Here, with special consideration of H3, we will discuss the novel findings regarding histone proteolytic cleavage as well as their significance in the studies of immunology and epigenetics.

DOI10.2174/1566524014666141015155630
Alternate JournalCurr Mol Med
PubMed ID25323999
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