Structural dynamics of the chromo-shadow domain and chromodomain of HP1 bound to histone H3K9 methylated peptide, as measured by site-directed spin-labeling EPR spectroscopy

The structural dynamics of the chromo-shadow domain (CSD) and chromodomain (CD) of human HP1 proteins essential for heterochromatin formation were investigated at the nanosecond and nanometer scales by site-directed spin labeling electron paramagnetic resonance and pulsed double resonance spectroscopy. Distance measurements showed that the spin-labeled CSD of human HP1 alpha and HP1 gamma tightly dimerizes. Unlike CD-CD interaction observed in fission yeast HP1 in an inactivated state (Canzio et al., 2013), the two CDs of HP1 alpha and HP1 gamma were spatially separated from each other, dynamically mobile, and ready for a Brownian search for H3K9-tri-methyl(me3) on histones. Complex formation of the CD with H3K9me3 slowed dynamics of the domain due to a decreased diffusion constant. CSD mobility was significantly (similar to 1.3-fold) lower in full-length HP1 alpha than in HP1 gamma, suggesting that the immobilized conformation of human HP1 alpha shows an auto-inactivated state. Differential properties of HP1 alpha and HP1 gamma to form the inactive conformation could be relevant to its physiological role in the heterochromatin formation in a cell. (C) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study investigated the structural dynamics of HP1 proteins in heterochromatin formation, showing differences in spatial separation and mobility between HP1 alpha and HP1 gamma. HP1 alpha may exhibit an auto-inactivated state, potentially influencing its physiological role in heterochromatin formation.