The histone variant MacroH2A regulates Ca2+ influx through TRPC3 and TRPC6 channels

The histone variant macroH2A replaces canonical H2A in the designated region of chromatin where its incorporation has the potential to establish a functionally distinct chromatin domain. The transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels are a family of Ca2+-permeable cationic channels controlling changes in the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. The proper regulation of Trpc gene expression requires chromatin remodeling, but little is known about the nature of these regulatory processes. Here, we show that macroH2A1 represses two Trpc family genes, Trpc3 and Trpc6, and attenuates Ca2+-dependent proliferative responses in bladder cancer cells. MacroH2A1 recruits histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) and HDAC2 to facilitate its persistent action, resulting in a compromise of histone acetylation across the Trpc3 and Trpc6 loci. Further, macroH2A1 depletion augments histone acetylation and Ca2+ influx, leading to increased cell growth and invasion. Our data provide new insights into TRPC3/TRPC6-mediated Ca2+ signaling and indicate a central role for macroH2A1 in regulating transcriptional competence of Trpc3 and Trpc6 genes.