Post-translational modifications of the N-terminal tail of histone H3 in holocentric chromosomes of Bombyx mori

Epigenetic information is encoded in post-translational modifications (PTMs) of histones. Various combinations of these marks contribute to the regulation of chromatin-templated DNA metabolisms. The histone code is gradually translated into biological responses in model organisms. However, in the silkworm, the modifications of histones with unique holocentric chromosomes have not yet been analyzed. TAU-PAGE analysis of the silkworm histone variants H2A, H2B, and H3, separated by RP-HPLC, suggested silkworm specific modification. Detailed mass spectrometry analyses of the peptides derived from the N-terminus of the silkworm H3.2 generated by glutamyl endopeptidase, lysyl endopeptidase, and trypsin digestions revealed global modifications around H3K9.

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► Silkworm histone variants, H2A, H2B, and H3 were analyzed by 2D-PAGE.
► We have identified and mapped the modification profiles of histone H3 in holocentric silkworm chromosomes.
► We have identified a unique to the silkworm histone H3-specific modification.