The HMGN family of chromatin-binding proteins: dynamic modulators of epigenetic processes

Biochim Biophys Acta. 2012 Jul;1819(7):652-6. doi: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2012.01.013. Epub 2012 Feb 2.

Abstract

The HMGN family of proteins binds to nucleosomes without any specificity for the underlying DNA sequence. They affect the global and local structure of chromatin, as well as the levels of histone modifications and thus play a role in epigenetic regulation of gene expression. This review focuses on the recent studies that provide new insights on the interactions between HMGN proteins, nucleosomes, and chromatin, and the effects of these interactions on epigenetic and transcriptional regulation. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Chromatin in time and space.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • HMGN Proteins / metabolism
  • HMGN Proteins / physiology*
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Nucleosomes / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • HMGN Proteins
  • Histones
  • Nucleosomes