The role of the chromatin assembly complex (CAF-1) and its p60 subunit (CHAF1b) in homeostasis and disease

Nucleosome assembly following DNA synthesis is critical for maintaining genomic stability. The proteins directly responsible for shuttling newly synthesized histones H3 and H4 from the cytoplasm to the assembly fork during DNA replication comprise the Chromatin Assembly Factor 1 complex (CAF-1). Whereas the diverse functions of the large (CAF-1-p150, CHAF1a) and small (RbAp48, p48) subunits of the CAF-1 complex have been well-characterized in many tissues and extend beyond histone chaperone activity, the contributions of the medium subunit (CAF-1-p60, CHAF1b) are much less well understood. Although it is known that CHAF1b has multiple functional domains (7 × WD repeat domain, B-like domain, and a PEST domain), how these components come together to elicit the functions of this protein are still unclear. Here, we review the biology of the CAF-1 complex, with an emphasis on CHAF1b, including its structure, regulation, and function. In addition, we discuss the possible contributions of CHAF1b and the CAF-1 complex to human diseases. Of note, CHAF1b is located within the Down syndrome critical region (DSCR) of chromosome 21. Therefore, we also address the putative contributions of its trisomy to the various manifestations of DS.