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In eukaryotes, the genome is organized into a complex nucleoprotein structure called chromatin. Despite the simplicity of its monomer, DNA and two copies of four histones, the existence of histone variants opens possibilities of multiple chromatin landscapes and fine-tune regulation of molecular mechanisms for the regulation of gene expression and maintenance of genome stability. However, any defects in these combinations may contribute to disease development and/or progression. Here, I review human histone variants and their chaperones, and discuss how they contribute to pathological conditions.

SummaryIn eukaryotes, DNA is packaged into chromatin by canonical histone proteins. The specialized histone H3 variant CENP-A provides an epigenetic and structural basis for chromosome segregation by replacing H3 at centromeres. Unlike exclusively octameric canonical H3 nucleosomes, CENP-A nucleosomes have been shown to exist as octamers, hexamers, and tetramers. An intriguing possibility reconciling these observations is that CENP-A nucleosomes cycle between octamers and tetramers in vivo. We tested this hypothesis by tracking CENP-A nucleosomal components, structure, chromatin folding, and covalent modifications across the human cell cycle. We report that CENP-A nucleosomes alter from tetramers to octamers before replication and revert to tetramers after replication. These structural transitions are accompanied by reversible chaperone binding, chromatin fiber folding changes, and previously undescribed modifications within the histone fold domains of CENP-A and H4. Our results reveal a cyclical nature to CENP-A nucleosome structure and have implications for the maintenance of epigenetic memory after centromere replication.

The centromere is a specialized locus that directs the formation of the kinetochore protein complex for correct chromosome segregation. The specific centromere histone H3 variant CENP-A has been de-scribed as the epigenetic mark of this chromatin region. Several laboratories have explored its properties, its partners, and its role in centromere formation. Specifically, two types of CENP-A nucleosomes have been described, suggesting there may be more complexity involved in centromere structure than previously thought. Recent work adds to this paradox by questioning the role of CENP-A as a unique centromeric mark and highlighting the assembly of a functional kinetochore in the absence of CENP-A. In this review, we discuss recent literature on the CENP-A nucleosomes and the debate on its role in kinetochore formation and centromere identity.

International audience; Spermiogenesis is a complex male germ cell post-meiotic differentiation process characterized by dramatic changes in chromatin structure and function, including chromatin condensation, transcriptional inhibition and the sequential replacement of histones by transition proteins and protamines. Recent advances, in mammalian cells, suggest a possible role of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation catalyzed by Parp1 and/or Parp2 in this process. We have recently reported severely compromised spermiogenesis in Parp2-deficient mice characterized by a marked delay in nuclear elongation whose molecular mechanisms remain however unknown. Here, using in vitro protein-protein interaction assays, we show that Parp2 interacts significantly with both the transition protein TP2 and the transition chaperone HSPA2, whereas Parp1 binds weakly to HSPA2. Parp2-TP2 interaction is partly mediated by poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation. Only Parp1 poly(ADP-ribosyl)ates HSPA2. In addition, a detailed analysis of spermatid maturation in Parp2-deficient mice, combining immunohistochemistry and electron microscopic approaches, reveals a loss of spermatids expressing TP2, a defect in chromatin condensation and abnormal formation of the manchette microtubules that, together, contribute to spermatid-specific cell death. In conclusion, we propose both Parps as new participants of a spermatid-specific protein complex involved in genome reorganization throughout spermiogenesis.

Recent advances reveal emerging unique functions of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (Parp-1) and Parp-2 in heterochromatin integrity and cell differentiation. However, the chromatin-mediated molecular and cellular events involved remain elusive. Here we describe specific physical and functional interactions of Parp-1 and Parp-2 with the transcriptional intermediary factor (TIF1beta) and the heterochromatin proteins (HP1) that affect endodermal differentiation. We show that Parp-2 binds to TIF1beta with high affinity both directly and through HP1alpha. Both partners colocalize at pericentric heterochromatin in primitive endoderm-like cells. Parp-2 also binds to HP1beta but not to HP1gamma. In contrast Parp-1 binds weakly to TIF1beta and HP1beta only. Both Parps selectively poly(ADP-ribosyl)ate HP1alpha. Using shRNA approaches, we provide evidence for distinct participation of both Parps in endodermal differentiation. Whereas Parp-2 and its activity are required for the relocation of TIF1beta to heterochromatic foci during primitive endodermal differentiation, Parp-1 and its activity modulate TIF1beta-HP1alpha association with consequences on parietal endodermal differentiation. Both Parps control TIF1beta transcriptional activity. In addition, this work identifies both Parps as new modulators of the HP1-mediated subcode histone.-Qu?t, D., Gasser, V., Fouillen, L., Cammas, F., Sanglier-Cianferani, S., Losson, R., Dantzer, F. The histone subcode: poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (Parp-1) and Parp-2 control cell differentiation by regulating the transcriptional intermediary factor TIF1beta and the heterochromatin protein HP1alpha.

The centromere is a specialized chromatin region marked by the histone H3 variant CENP-A. Although active centromeric transcription has been documented for over a decade, the role of centromeric transcription or transcripts has been elusive. Here, we report that centromeric α-satellite transcription is dependent on RNA Polymerase II and occurs at late mitosis into early G1, concurrent with the timing of new CENP-A assembly. Inhibition of RNA Polymerase II-dependent transcription abrogates the recruitment of CENP-A and its chaperone HJURP to native human centromeres. Biochemical characterization of CENP-A associated RNAs reveals a 1.3 kb molecule that originates from centromeres, which physically interacts with the soluble pre-assembly HJURP/CENP-A complex in vivo, and whose down-regulation leads to the loss of CENP-A and HJURP at centromeres. This study describes a novel function for human centromeric long non-coding RNAs in the recruitment of HJURP and CENP-A, implicating RNA-based chaperone targeting in histone variant assembly.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1, also known as ARTD1) is an abundant nuclear enzyme that plays important roles in DNA repair, gene transcription, and differentiation through the modulation of chromatin structure and function. In this work we identify a physical and functional poly(ADP-ribose)-mediated interaction of PARP1 with the E3 ubiquitin ligase UHRF1 (also known as NP95, ICBP90) that influences two UHRF1-regulated cellular processes. On the one hand, we uncovered a cooperative interplay between PARP1 and UHRF1 in the accumulation of the heterochromatin repressive mark H4K20me3. The absence of PARP1 led to reduced accumulation of H4K20me3 onto pericentric heterochromatin that coincided with abnormally enhanced transcription. The loss of H4K20me3 was rescued by the additional depletion of UHRF1. In contrast, although PARP1 also seemed to facilitate the association of UHRF1 with DNMT1, its absence did not impair the loading of DNMT1 onto heterochromatin or the methylation of pericentric regions, possibly owing to a compensating interaction of DNMT1 with PCNA. On the other hand, we showed that PARP1 controls the UHRF1-mediated ubiquitination of DNMT1 to timely regulate its abundance during S and G2 phase. Together, this report identifies PARP1 as a novel modulator of two UHRF1-regulated heterochromatin-associated events: the accumulation of H4K20me3 and the clearance of DNMT1.

DNA in a human cell is approximately 2 m long but is compacted into micrometre‐sized eukaryotic nuclei. To achieve this level of compaction, DNA is first wrapped up into nucleosomes, which are then thought to fold into fibres and loops. The basal unit of such folding is the 10 nm ‘beads on a string’ structure observed in all eukaryotic cells (Fig 1A; reviewed in [[1]]). The 10 nm fibre is subsequently folded into secondary and tertiary structures, the nature of which have been at the heart of a spirited debate for nearly 30 years [[2]]. Figure 1. Models of chromatin organization. ( A ) 10 nm fibre. ( B ) Side‐view of a 30 nm fibre or solenoid. ( C ) Top‐down view of the solenoid. ( D ) Zig‐zag model of the 30 nm fibre. ( E ) Interdigitation of two 10 nm fibres (blue against green) forming a boustrophedon. Numbered circles are nucleosomes in an array; red arrow follows the path of the DNA; blue arrow represents a gene promoter. The first compelling description of the compacted interphase 30 nm chromatin fibre, found in all textbooks, originated from a seminal study by Finch and Klug, who used transmission electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction to investigate cell‐extracted nucleofilaments. Now, nearly 40 years after Finch and Klug proposed their landmark ‘solenoid’ model, a series of papers including one published in this issue of EMBO reports [[3]] have questioned the existence of 30 nm chromatin fibres. > These data […] contradict decades of previous work that argued for the presence of 30 nm and thicker chromatin fibres In their original study, Finch and Klug found that extracted chromatin appeared …

Epigenetic refers to a range of heritable chromatin modifications including DNA methylation, histone modifications, remodeling of nucleosomes and higher order chromatin modifications. In the framework of chromatin remodeling activities, the poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of nuclear proteins catalyzed by PARPs, particularly PARP-1 and PARP-2, plays a fundamental role and as such have the potential to orchestrate various chromatin-based biological tasks including transcription, DNA repair and differentiation. In this review, we propose a short overview of the more recent experimental data that shed light on the role of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation in the translation of the histone code. We will essentially focus on the different mechanisms by which PARP activity regulates the global chromatin environment and how this affects cellular pathways.

Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is a posttranslational modification of proteins in higher eukaryotes mediated by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) that is involved in many physiological processes such as DNA repair, transcription, cell division, and cell death. Biochemical studies together with PARP-1- or PARP-2-deficient cellular and animal models have revealed the redundant but also complementary functions of the two enzymes in the surveillance and maintenance of genome integrity. Poly(ADP-ribose) is degraded by the endo- and exo-glycosidase activities of poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG). In this chapter, biochemical and immunofluorescence methods are described for detecting and assaying PARPs and PARG.

Besides the established central role of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (Parp-1) and Parp-2 in the maintenance of genomic integrity, accumulating evidence indicates that poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation may modulate epigenetic modifications under physiological conditions. Here, we provide in vivo evidence for the pleiotropic involvement of Parp-2 in both meiotic and postmeiotic processes. We show that Parp-2-deficient mice exhibit severely impaired spermatogenesis, with a defect in prophase of meiosis I characterized by massive apoptosis at pachytene and metaphase I stages. Although Parp-2 −/− spermatocytes exhibit normal telomere dynamics and normal chromosome synapsis, they display defective meiotic sex chromosome inactivation associated with derailed regulation of histone acetylation and methylation and up-regulated X- and Y-linked gene expression. Furthermore, a drastically reduced number of crossover-associated Mlh1 foci are associated with chromosome missegregation at metaphase I. Moreover, Parp-2 −/− spermatids are severely compromised in differentiation and exhibit a marked delay in nuclear elongation. Altogether, our findings indicate that, in addition to its well known role in DNA repair, Parp-2 exerts essential functions during meiosis I and haploid gamete differentiation.