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The histone variant macroH2A generally associates with transcriptionally inert chromatin; however, the factors that regulate its chromatin incorporation remain elusive. Here, we identify the SWI/SNF helicase ATRX (α-thalassemia/MR, X-linked) as a novel macroH2A-interacting protein. Unlike its role in assisting H3.3 chromatin deposition, ATRX acts as a negative regulator of macroH2A's chromatin association. In human erythroleukemic cells deficient for ATRX, macroH2A accumulates at the HBA gene cluster on the subtelomere of chromosome 16, coinciding with the loss of α-globin expression. Collectively, our results implicate deregulation of macroH2A's distribution as a contributing factor to the α-thalassemia phenotype of ATRX syndrome.

Original publication

DOI

10.1101/gad.179416.111

Type

Journal article

Journal

Genes Dev

Publication Date

01/03/2012

Volume

26

Pages

433 - 438

Keywords

Chromatin, DNA Helicases, Erythroid Cells, Gene Expression Regulation, Gene Knockdown Techniques, HEK293 Cells, HeLa Cells, Histones, Humans, K562 Cells, Mental Retardation, X-Linked, Nuclear Proteins, Telomere, X-linked Nuclear Protein, alpha-Globins, alpha-Thalassemia