This proposal focuses on Spt6 (168 kDa) and FACT, which is a heterodimer of Spt16 (119 kDa) and Pob3 (63 kDa). Spt6 and FACT are histone chaperones that are conserved throughout eukaryotes, implicated in HIV latency and other disease processes, and unlike most structurally characterized histone chaperones, are essential for viability. Both Spt6 and FACT function in the assembly of nucleosomes, which is required as the DNA is doubled during replication in S phase and also to replace nucleosomes that become irretrievably displaced by remodeling or by passage of an RNA polymerase during transcription. FACT also reorganizes nucleosomes, forming a loosened structure that promotes passage of RNA polymerase but maintains contacts with each of the components so that the same displaced histone molecules are incorporated back into the reconstructed nucleosome. Our collaboration has previously produced multiple structures of domains of Spt6, a complex of Spt6 with the essential factor Spn1, and multiple structures of domains of the FACT heterodimer. We also performed genetic and binding studies that validated the biological importance of these structures and advanced understanding of mechanisms. We will continue this multidisciplinary approach, which is essential for making meaningful progress in this challenging field. An important priority in Aims 1 and 2 is to biochemically and structurally characterize interactions with histones, which are fundamental to Spt6 and FACT function. We favor the model that Spt6 and FACT function in large part by covering histone surfaces that otherwise associate with DNA or other histones in the nucleosome structure, and we therefore believe that biochemically understanding these interactions and verifying their biological importance will reveal the primary basis of Spt6 and FACT activities in loosening and assembling nucleosomes. Histones are notoriously challenging subjects for binding studies, and our multidisciplinary approach, which includes rigorous biochemistry, places us in an excellent position to pursue high impact goals and has already led to an insightful preliminary FACT:H2A-H2B crystal structure. Specific hypotheses generated from the insights provided by Aims 1 and 2 are driving functional studies that are being pursued for Spt6 in Aim 3, including the mechanistic and physiological role of the Spn1 binding partner.
Aim 4 investigates how Spt6 function is coupled to diverse biological pathways through its interaction with RNA polymerase II (RNAPII). Preliminary data include an initial EM structure of the RNAPII-Spt6 complex, identification of Spt6 point mutants that specifically disrupt binding to RNAPII, and identification of a phosphorylation-dependent switch for binding to RNAPII.
Spt6 and FACT (Spt16-Pob3) are essential proteins that are conserved from yeasts to humans. They function to maintain chromatin in an appropriately packaged and regulated state and they are central to the fundamental cellular processes of DNA replication, DNA repair, regulation of gene expression, and mRNA export. Our studies will advance understanding of molecular processes that are integral to cellular health, including some that have been implicated in cancer and HIV latency.
| Sdano, Matthew A; Fulcher, James M; Palani, Sowmiya et al. (2017) A novel SH2 recognition mechanism recruits Spt6 to the doubly phosphorylated RNA polymerase II linker at sites of transcription. Elife 6: |
