Towards a mechanism for histone chaperones

Histone chaperones can be broadly defined as histone-binding proteins that influence chromatin dynamics in an ATP-independent manner. Their existence reflects the importance of chromatin homeostasis and the unique and unusual biochemistry of the histone proteins. Histone supply and demand at chromatin is regulated by a network of structurally and functionally diverse histone chaperones. At the core of this network is a mechanistic variability that is only beginning to be appreciated. In this review, we highlight the challenges in determining histone chaperone mechanism and discuss possible mechanisms in the context of nucleosome thermodynamics. We discuss how histone chaperones prevent promiscuous histone interactions, and consider if this activity represents the full extent of histone chaperone function in governing chromatin dynamics. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Histone chaperones and Chromatin assembly.

► The unique biochemistry of histones causes a requirement for histone chaperones.
► Histone chaperones are histone-binding proteins that facilitate nucleosome assembly.
► Histone chaperones are structurally, functionally and mechanistically diverse.
► Histone chaperones prevent non-specific histone interactions.
► Histone chaperones adopt diverse histone-binding modes.