Chromatin Dynamics and Transcription Regulation

Chromatin Dynamics and Transcription Regulation

a) Non-histone nuclear proteins and chromatin dynamics
Highly abundant nuclear proteins dynamically interact with chromatin and confer functional fluidity. These include different histone interacting proteins such as PC4, HMGs, HP1 etc. We investigate the role of human PC4 and its interacting partners in the chromatin organization and thereby transcription regulation in the context of diseases such as cancer and AIDS. Furthermore, involvement of microRNA in the regulation of these proteins and chromatin modifying enzymes are also being investigated.


PC4 induces chromatin condensation
 

b) Role of histone chaperone in transcriptional regulation

Histone chaperones are a group of proteins which play important roles in histone metabolism such as assembly and disassembly of nucleosomes during different physiological processes. Thus this group of proteins are important regulators of transcription. We are focusing on the mechanism of transcriptional activation by the human histone chaperone NPM1 and its relevance in disease manifestation. Recently, we have found that NPM1 over expressed and gets hyperacetylated in progressive grades of oral cancer samples. We are also trying to understand the cross-talk among different post-translational modifications which might modulate its multi-functionality.