The Research Team of MSU-BIT University Biology Department Publishes a Paper Titled “Histone tetrasome dynamics affects chromatin transcription” in Nucleic Acids Research

Recently, the Associate Professor Shi Xiangyan team of MSU-BIT University Biology Department, together with the Professor Shaytan team of Moscow State University and the Professor Studitsky team of Fox Chase Caner Cancer, published a ground-breaking research result paper titled “Histone tetrasome dynamics affects chromatin transcription” in the internationally famous journal-- Nucleic Acids Research (impact factor of 16.7) as the first author and the joint corresponding author. MSU-BIT University was the first completed unit of the paper.

In the research, the teams systemically analyzed the dynamic characteristics of H3/H4 histone tetrasome and its molecular mechanism to RNA polymerase II transcription by means of multidisciplinary technology integration. Some advanced technologies were adopted, including molecular dynamics simulation, magnetic resonance imaging and single-particle FRET, to systemically describe the high-resolution structure and dynamic characteristics of H3/H4 histone tetrasome and its impact on DNA transcription. The research shows that the subnucleosome has higher dynamics than nucleosome and the mutual effect of histone and DNA is reduced significantly to reduce the obstructions to the RNA polymerase II transcription, thus improving the transcription efficiency greatly. This has great influence on the structure and dynamics of chromatin during transcription and in other nuclear processes. The formation of subnucleosome may be more common than the expectation, so the unique molecular behavior of tetrasome will be significant for many biological processes, including the improvement of chromatin flexibility and the promotion of efficient remote communication of long-range controlled DNA area. The work provides valuable data and methodology supports for the further research in epigenetic regulation mechanism, relevant disease mechanism and diagnosis and treatment.

The work is another important result of the deep cooperation between MSU-BIT University and Moscow State University in the field of scientific research. Currently, both parties’ teams have achieved a significant progress in the cultivation of doctoral students, declaration of key technological projects and other aspects.

Paper information:

Shi X, et al. Histone tetrasome dynamics affects chromatin transcription. Nucleic Acids Research. 2025, 53: gkaf356; DOI:10.1093/nar/gkaf356

The teams of MSU-BIT University and Moscow State University conduct academic exchanges in Shenzhen