HMGN4, a newly discovered nucleosome-binding protein encoded by an intronless gene

DNA Cell Biol. 2001 May;20(5):257-64. doi: 10.1089/104454901750232454.

Abstract

We describe a newly discovered nuclear protein, HMGN4, that is closely related to the canonical HMGN2 nucleosome-binding protein. The protein is encoded by an intronless gene, which, in humans, is located in the hereditary hemochromatosis [correction of hemachromatosis] region at position 6p21.3. A single approximately 2-kb HMGN4 mRNA was found to be expressed, in variable amounts, in all human tissues tested; however, the HMGN4 transcript was significantly less abundant than that of HMGN2. The HMGN4 protein could be detected in HeLa cells by Western analysis with an antibody elicited against a unique region of the protein. Transfection of HeLa cells with a plasmid expressing HMGN4-GFP indicated that the protein localizes to the nucleus. Our results expand the multiplicity of the HMGN protein family and increase the known cellular repertoire of nucleosome-binding proteins.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Northern
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics*
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Genes, Reporter
  • HMGN Proteins*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Hemochromatosis / genetics
  • Humans
  • Immunoblotting
  • Introns / genetics*
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nucleosomes / genetics
  • Nucleosomes / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • HMGN Proteins
  • HMGN4 protein, human
  • Nucleosomes
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins

Associated data

  • RefSeq/NM_006353