Molecular mechanisms underlying heterochromatin assembly

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Chromatin potential for gene regulation
• Project/Area Number: 18H05532
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Research in a proposed research area)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Biological Sciences
• Research Institution: National Institute for Basic Biology
• Principal Investigator: Nakayama Jun-ichi 基礎生物学研究所, クロマチン制御研究部門, 教授 (60373338)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 小布施 力史 大阪大学, 大学院理学研究科, 教授 (00273855)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-06-29 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: ヘテロクロマチン / HP1 / ヒストン修飾 / 転写制御

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we focused on heterochromatin in fission yeast and mouse ES cells and attempted to elucidate the molecular basis for determining chromatin potential. We found the division of labor between the HP1 isoforms, the relationship between mitotic phosphorylation of HP1 and chromosome segregation, novel crosstalk between histone methylation and ubiquitylation, and spore-specific chromatin structure. We also identified HBiX2 as a novel HP1 interactor and characterized its role in the formation of inactive X chromosomes.

Free Research Field

分子生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

真核生物の核内で観察されるヘテロクロマチンは、染色体の機能やゲノム恒常性の維持、エピジェネティックな遺伝子発現制御に重要な役割を果たしている。ヘテロクロマチンはヒストンH3のメチル化修飾とHP1タンパク質が重要な役割を果たしており、これらの制御に関わる新規の分子機構を明らかにした本研究は、ヘテロクロマチン形成の分子機構だけでなく、クロマチンポテンシャルの分子基盤を理解する上で重要な成果である。