Magdalena Murawska
Histone chaperones in health and disease
Eukaryotic DNA is packed into nucleosomes, which consist of DNA wrapped around an octamer of histone proteins. Nucleosomes ensure the packaging and integrity of the genome, but they constitute major mechanical and energetic barriers for factors acting on DNA. Histone chaperones are diverse proteins which guide the assembly and disassembly of nucleosomes through preventing promiscuous and harmful interactions between highly charged histones with other cellular components. Histone chaperones also assure the maintenance of epigenetic states through correct incorporation of histone variants and modified histones. Hence, they are key to maintaining genome stability and cellular identity.
