The conserved histone chaperone Spt6 is strongly required for DNA replication and genome stability. 2023

Catherine L W Miller, and Fred Winston
Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.

Histone chaperones are an important class of proteins that regulate chromatin accessibility for DNA-templated processes. Spt6 is a conserved histone chaperone and key regulator of transcription and chromatin structure. However, its functions outside of these roles have been little explored. In this work, we demonstrate a requirement for S. cerevisiae Spt6 in DNA replication and, more broadly, as a regulator of genome stability. Depletion or mutation of Spt6 impairs DNA replication in vivo. Additionally, spt6 mutants are sensitive to DNA replication stress-inducing agents. Interestingly, this sensitivity is independent of the association of Spt6 with RNA polymerase II (RNAPII), suggesting that spt6 mutants have a transcription-independent impairment of DNA replication. Specifically, genomic studies reveal that spt6 mutants have decreased loading of the MCM replicative helicase at replication origins, suggesting that Spt6 promotes origin licensing. Our results identify Spt6 as a regulator of genome stability, at least in part through a role in DNA replication.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D002843 Chromatin The material of CHROMOSOMES. It is a complex of DNA; HISTONES; and nonhistone proteins (CHROMOSOMAL PROTEINS, NON-HISTONE) found within the nucleus of a cell. Chromatins
D004261 DNA Replication The process by which a DNA molecule is duplicated. Autonomous Replication,Replication, Autonomous,Autonomous Replications,DNA Replications,Replication, DNA,Replications, Autonomous,Replications, DNA
D006657 Histones Small chromosomal proteins (approx 12-20 kD) possessing an open, unfolded structure and attached to the DNA in cell nuclei by ionic linkages. Classification into the various types (designated histone I, histone II, etc.) is based on the relative amounts of arginine and lysine in each. Histone,Histone H1,Histone H1(s),Histone H2a,Histone H2b,Histone H3,Histone H3.3,Histone H4,Histone H5,Histone H7
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012441 Saccharomyces cerevisiae A species of the genus SACCHAROMYCES, family Saccharomycetaceae, order Saccharomycetales, known as "baker's" or "brewer's" yeast. The dried form is used as a dietary supplement. Baker's Yeast,Brewer's Yeast,Candida robusta,S. cerevisiae,Saccharomyces capensis,Saccharomyces italicus,Saccharomyces oviformis,Saccharomyces uvarum var. melibiosus,Yeast, Baker's,Yeast, Brewer's,Baker Yeast,S cerevisiae,Baker's Yeasts,Yeast, Baker
D014158 Transcription, Genetic The biosynthesis of RNA carried out on a template of DNA. The biosynthesis of DNA from an RNA template is called REVERSE TRANSCRIPTION. Genetic Transcription
D042822 Genomic Instability An increased tendency of the GENOME to acquire MUTATIONS when various processes involved in maintaining and replicating the genome are dysfunctional. Genome Instability,Genome Stability,Genomic Stability,Genome Instabilities,Genome Stabilities,Genomic Instabilities,Genomic Stabilities,Instabilities, Genome,Instabilities, Genomic,Instability, Genome,Instability, Genomic,Stabilities, Genome,Stabilities, Genomic,Stability, Genome,Stability, Genomic
D056488 Histone Chaperones Proteins involved in the assembly and disassembly of HISTONES into NUCLEOSOMES. Histone Chaperone,Chaperone, Histone,Chaperones, Histone
D029701 Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins Proteins obtained from the species SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE. The function of specific proteins from this organism are the subject of intense scientific interest and have been used to derive basic understanding of the functioning similar proteins in higher eukaryotes. Baker's Yeast Proteins,S cerevisiae Proteins
D035602 Transcriptional Elongation Factors Transcription factors whose primary function is to regulate the rate in which RNA is transcribed. Transcriptional Elongation Inhibitory Factors,Elongation Factors, Transcriptional

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