Histones are basic nuclear proteins that are responsible for the nucleosome structure of the chromosomal fiber in eukaryotes. Nucleosomes consist of approximately 146 bp of DNA wrapped around a histone octamer composed of pairs of each of the four core histones (H2A, H2B, H3, and H4). The chromatin fiber is further compacted through the interaction of a linker histone, H1, with the DNA between the nucleosomes to form higher order chromatin structures. This gene encodes a member of the histone H2A family. This gene is part of a region that is repeated three times on chromosome X, once in intron 22 of the F8 gene and twice closer to the Xq telomere. This record represents the middle copy. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]
Function:
Atypical histone H2A which can replace conventional H2A in some nucleosomes and is associated with active transcription and mRNA processing. Nucleosomes wrap and compact DNA into chromatin, limiting DNA accessibility to the cellular machineries which require DNA as a template. Histones thereby play a central role in transcription regulation, DNA repair, DNA replication and chromosomal stability. Nucleosomes containing this histone are less rigid and organize less DNA than canonical nucleosomes in vivo. They are enriched in actively transcribed genes and associate with the elongating form of RNA polymerase. They associate with spliceosome components and are required for mRNA splicing. May participate in spermatogenesis.
Subcellular Location:
Nucleus. Chromosome. Associated with the active X chromosome and with autosomes, while it is absent from the inactive X chromosome and excluded from Barr bodies.
Tissue Specificity:
Present in mature sperm.
Similarity:
Belongs to the histone H2A family.
SWISS:
P0C5Z0
Gene ID:
474381
Database links:
Entrez Gene: 474381 Human
Entrez Gene: 83740 Human
Omim: 300445 Human
SwissProt: P0C5Z0 Human
SwissProt: P98176 Human
Unigene: 534498 Human
Unigene: 632841 Human
|
|
