Mapping of Lysine Methylation and Acetylation in Core Histones of Neurospora crassa

Strategic Insights -

New research from the University of California has shed light on the post-translational modifications (PTMs) in core histones of Neurospora crassa, a model organism used to study multicellular eukaryotes. The study, published in Biochemistry, employed mass spectrometric techniques to identify methylation and acetylation sites in core histones. The research identified many modification sites conserved in other organisms and also discovered unique sites in histone H2B, providing a comprehensive picture of PTMs in Neurospora.

Key Takeaways:

  • Researchers used mass spectrometric techniques, coupled with HPLC separation and multiple-protease digestion, to identify methylation and acetylation sites in core histones of Neurospora crassa.
  • The study identified many modification sites conserved in other organisms, including Neurospora.
  • Unique modification sites in histone H2B, including N-terminal alpha methylation, methylation at K3, and acetylation at K19, K28, and K29, were observed.
  • The research used Electron Transfer Dissociation (ETD) to fragment heavily modified long N-terminal peptides, allowing for accurate mass measurement of fragment ions.
  • Accurate mass measurement of fragment ions allowed for unambiguous differentiation of acetylation from trimethylation.
  • The study concluded that its analysis provides a potentially comprehensive picture of methylation and acetylation of core histones in Neurospora.
  • L. Xiong and colleagues isolated core histones from Neurospora using a convenient model organism for multicellular eukaryotes.

Statistics:

  • The study employed several mass spectrometric techniques to identify methylation and acetylation sites.
  • Multiple-protease digestion was used to cleave histone proteins into fragments for methylation and acetylation analysis.
  • Electron transfer dissociation (ETD) was employed to fragment heavily modified long N-terminal peptides.
  • The study identified 3 unique modification sites in histone H2B: N-terminal alpha methylation, methylation at K3, and acetylation at K19, K28, and K29.
  • Neurospora crassa was used as a model organism for multicellular eukaryotes.

Sources:

  • Xiong, L., et al. (2010). Mapping of lysine methylation and acetylation in core histones of Neurospora crassa. Biochemistry, 49(25), 5236-43.
  • Science Letter via NewsRx.com. (2011). Mapping of Lysine Methylation and Acetylation in Core Histones of Neurospora crassa.