Recent Progress in Histone Chaperones Associated With H2A-H2B Type Histones

Eukaryotic DNA that carries the genetic code is packaged into the chromatin. The dynamic structure of chromatin controls the accessibility of DNA in processes of DNA replication, transcription, recombination, and DNA damage repair. Histone, a fundamental component of chromatin, plays a central role in regulating the chromatin structure owing to its ability to introduce a large variety of histone variants and modifications. Compared to other core histones (H2B, H3 and H4), H2A type of histone contains the largest number of variants which increase the compositional and structural diversity of nucleosome and chromatin. A number of histone chaperones recognize and assist the H2A-H2B type of histones for their folding, modification, transportation, incorporation, and eviction. Here, we reviewed the recent progress in the molecular mechanisms by which histone chaperones recognize the H2A-H2B type of histones and function in control of the chromatin dynamics.