Histone H1 and the dynamic regulation of chromatin function

Eukaryotic DNA is organized in a complex structure called chromatin. Although a primary function of chromatin is compaction of DNA, this must done such that the underlying DNA is potentially accessible to factor-mediated regulatory responses. Chromatin structure clearly plays a dominant role in regulating much of eukaryotic transcription. The demonstration that reversible covalent modification of the core histones contribute to transcriptional activation and repression by altering chromatin structure and the identification of numerous ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling enzymes provide strong support for this view. Chromatin is much more dynamic than was previously thought and regulation of the dynamic properties of chromatin is a key aspect of gene regulation. This review will focus on recent attempts to elucidate the specific contribution of histone H1 to chromatin-mediated regulation of gene expression.