Decoding chromatin states by proteomic profiling of nucleosome readers. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38448585/)

These scientists wanted to understand how different parts of our DNA, called chromatin states, are read and interpreted by proteins in our cells. They studied over 80 different modified DNA sections called dinucleosomes to see how around 2,000 proteins interacted with them. By analyzing these interactions, they discovered how proteins are recruited or excluded from specific chromatin states.

They found that proteins have specific responses to different features of the chromatin states, and some proteins can recognize multiple features at once. They also learned that modifications on the DNA and the linker DNA between nucleosomes work independently to control how proteins bind to the chromatin.

To help others learn from their findings, the scientists created an online tool called the Modification Atlas of Regulation by Chromatin States (MARCS) where people can explore and analyze the data. This study helps us understand how our DNA is read and regulated by proteins, which is important for understanding how our bodies work and how diseases can develop.

Lukauskas S., Tvardovskiy A., Nguyen NV., Stadler M., Faull P., Ravnsborg T., Ozdemir Aygenli B., Dornauer S., Flynn H., Lindeboom RGH., Barth TK., Brockers K., Hauck SM., Vermeulen M., Snijders AP., Muller CL., DiMaggio PA., Jensen ON., Schneider R., Bartke T. Decoding chromatin states by proteomic profiling of nucleosome readers. Nature. 2024 Mar 6. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07141-5.