Separation of histones by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography: analysis of the binding of carcinogens to histones

Challenges ahead for mass spectrometry and proteomics applications in epigenetics

Inheritance of biological information to future generations depends on the replication of DNA and the Mendelian principle of distribution of genes. In addition, external and environmental factors can influence traits that can be propagated to offspring, but the molecular details of this are only beginning to be understood. The discoveries of DNA methylation and post-translational modifications on chromatin and histones provided entry points for regulating gene expression, an area now defined as epigenetics and epigenomics. Mass spectrometry turned out to be instrumental in uncovering molecular details involved in these processes. The central role of histone post-translational modifications in epigenetics related biological processes has revitalized mass spectrometry based investigations. In this special report, current approaches and future challenges that lay ahead due to the enormous complexity are discussed.

Analysis of histones, histone variants, and their post-translationally modified forms

For many years, histones were considered passive structural components of eukaryotic chromatin. Meanwhile it has been proven that histones also participate in gene regulation and repression via post-translational modification. The multitude of these post-translational modifications and the existence of numerous histone variants require particular separation strategies for their analysis, a prerequisite for studying biological processes. The most widely utilized techniques for the separation of histones, namely PAGE, HPCE, RP-HPLC, and hydrophilic Interaction LC, are reviewed here. Problems inherent to the analysis of histones owing to their unique physical and chemical properties along with advantages and shortcomings of particular methods are discussed.

Resolution of allelic and non-allelic variants of histone H1 by cation-exchange-hydrophilic-interaction chromatography

A mixed-mode high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method that resolves the six known non-allelic variants of chicken erythrocyte histone H1 is described. Common, but previously unknown, allelic variants of H1 that comigrate in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis are also resolved. The resolution of H1 variants achieved by this method should be useful in determining the functional significance of H1 sequence heterogeneity and in analyses of post-translational modification of H1. Furthermore, the principles behind the separation should be applicable to analyses of polymorphism in other proteins.

Capillary electrophoresis of histone H1 variants at neutral pH in dynamically modified fused- silica tubing

Existing methods for the analysis of histone H1 by capillary electrophoresis (CE) employ acidic buffers (pH <3.0) to suppress silanol ionization and minimize the loss of these extremely basic proteins by adsorption to capillary walls. Here we describe the use of Polybrene (PB) as a dynamic modification reagent in a simple procedure that facilitates the analysis of chicken H1 at neutral pH. PB is adsorbed to the inner surfaces of capillaries to render them cationic prior to use and a low concentration of PB is included in the electrolyte to replenish the coating during use. Inclusion of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in the electrolyte results in the assembly of a dynamic cation-exchange layer upon the immobilized PB that influences the relative mobilities of H1 variants. The six nonallelic variants of H1 known in this species as well as certain allelic variants are resolved. Because the procedure is effective in preventing the adsorption of proteins as basic as H1 at neutral pH, this strategy should facilitate CE analyses of many basic proteins under conditions that maintain their native conformation.

Application of hydrophilic-interaction liquid chromatography to the separation of phosphorylated H1 histones

A new two-step high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) procedure has been developed to separate modified histone H1 subtypes. Reversed-phase (RP) HPLC followed by hydrophilic-interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) was used for analytical and semi-preparative scale fractionation of multi-phosphorylated H1 histone subtypes into their non-phosphorylated and distinct phosphorylated forms. The HILIC system utilizes the weak cation-exchange column PolyCAT A and an increasing sodium perchlorate gradient in a methanephosphonic acid-triethylamine buffer (pH 3.0) in the presence of 70% (v/v) acetonitrile. The identity and purity of the individual histone subfractions obtained was assayed by capillary electrophoretic analysis. The results demonstrate that application of the combined RP-HPLC-HILIC procedure to the analysis and isolation of modified H1 histone subtypes provides an innovative and important alternative to traditional separation techniques that will be extremely useful in studying the biological function of histone phosphorylation.

Use of reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography on polystyrene-divinylbenzene columns for the rapid separation and purification of acid-soluble nuclear proteins

The suitability of polystyrene-divinylbenzene reversed-phase HPLC columns for rapid separation and purification of acid-soluble nuclear proteins was evaluated. We used a polystyrene-divinylbenzene reversed-phase HPLC column (PLRP-S) for purification of nuclear proteins extracted with 0.3 M HCl or 5% HClO4. We are able to obtain electrophoretically pure fractions for a number of nuclear proteins including HMG14, HMG17 and variants of histone H3. The identity of proteins in these fractions was confirmed by immunochemical analysis, protein sequencing, mass spectrometry and migration on two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. These methods do not require special preparation of the sample and are quicker than similar published methods.

Separation and characterisation of bovine histone H1 subtypes by combined ion-exchange and reversed-phase chromatography and mass spectrometry

In order to separate and identify histone H1 subtypes from calf thymus we used both electrospray mass spectrometry (ES-MS) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) after a three-step chromatographic procedure consisting of reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and ion-exchange chromatography (IEC). Under the RP-HPLC conditions described, we obtained two baseline-separated H1-fractions which were characterised by MALDI-TOF-MS. The determined masses ranged from 22,850 to 22,590 for the first fraction and from 22,070 to 21,250 for the second fraction. Further, it was shown that the first fraction contained at least four and the second one at least five subtypes of the histone class H1. Four homogeneous pure H1 subtypes were obtained by a combination of IEC followed by SEC and RP-HPLC. The molecular masses of these four subtypes determined by ES-MS were 22,606, 22,761, 21,347 and 21,263. We obtained six additional molecular masses of histone H1 subtypes from three heterogeneous fractions, namely 22,066, 21,802, 20,586 and 19,817 by ES-MS and 22,800 and 22,675 by MALDI-TOF-MS. The retention times of these fractions and the molecular masses were in agreement with the data obtained from RP-HPLC fractions by MALDI-TOF-MS.

Effect of buffer composition on the migration order and separation of histone H1 subtypes

The effects of different buffer concentrations and compositions on the elution order and separation of H1 histone subtypes and their phosphorylated modifications isolated from several species was studied using high-performance capillary electrophoresis (CE). Various cations and anions were tested in an untreated silica capillary and low pH buffers, in the presence of the dynamic coating agent hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose. It was found that the cations and anions of buffers have a remarkable influence on both the efficiency and the selectivity of protein separations. A triethylammonium methanephosphonate system proved efficacious for the separation of rat histone subtype H1c from H1e and a perchlorate/triethylammonium phosphate system for the analysis of chicken and mouse linker histones. CE provides an attractive alternative to high-performance liquid chromatography and conventional gel electrophoresis.

Application of high-performance capillary electrophoresis to the analysis of H1 histones

High-performance capillary electrophoresis for the separation of rat testis H1 histone variants and their phosphorylated modifications is described. The influence of buffer pH, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, and buffer concentration has been investigated. Under optimized conditions (500 mM phosphate buffer, pH 2, 0.03% hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose) using an uncoated capillary, eight H1 histone subfractions, including two H1(0) histones and H1t and their phosphorylated modifications, are resolved. Application of capillary electrophoresis to the separation of H1 histones provides an important new alternative to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and traditional gel electrophoresis.

Histone H1a subtype presents structural differences compared to other histone H1 subtypes. Evidence for a specific motif in the C-terminal domain

Following a previous isolation by reverse-phase HPLC of five histone H1 subtypes from adult rat liver, purity of three of them, H1a, H1b and H1d (according to Lennox's nomenclature), was achieved. Structural features of these three subtypes were investigated. Partial cleavage of these subtypes by endoproteinase Glu-C showed a different behavior of the H1a subtype when compared to the H1b and H1d subtypes. Under the conditions used in this work, the H1b and H1d subtypes present three major sites accessible to the endoproteinase Glu-C, while the H1a subtype presents only one major site accessible to the proteinase. Partial N-terminal sequence of the different fragments obtained after proteolysis indicated that the two H1b and H1d subtypes were cleaved inside the globular domain (Glu-54,-75) and between the globular domain and the C-terminal one (Glu-116). The H1a subtype was only cleaved between the globular domain and the C-terminal tail (Glu-116), though Glu-54 and Glu-75 sites were present. These results would suggest some differences in the conformation of these proteins. Furthermore, the partial determined sequences of H1b and H1d showed 85% similarity to each other (the main differences were threonine residues instead of alanine residues in the C-terminal domain) while H1a was only 60% similar to H1b and H1d, for the sequences which aligned. The strongest differences between the H1a subtype and the two other subtypes were observed in the first amino acid residues of the C-terminal domain. The 117-126 amino acid residues (SKASTTKVTV) of H1a were quite different from those of H1b and H1d. This sequence, which showed a number of serine and threonine residues, was not found in any other histone sequence, after consultation with data bases. This H1a subtype was a minor component in adult liver (2.4%). As it was described in testis as a major component, testis histone H1 proteins were fractionated onto reverse-phase HPLC under the same conditions as those used for histone H1 proteins from liver. The pure testis H1a fraction was submitted to the endoproteinase Glu-C digestion. The pattern digestion was the same as that observed for liver H1a. The two 44-76 and 117-126 determined amino acid residues of H1a from testis were strictly identical to those of liver H1a. We demonstrate that H1a is the same protein in liver and testis and we give evidence for a specific motif SKASTTKVTV (117-126 residues) in the sequence of the C-terminal domain.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

High-performance capillary electrophoresis of core histones and their acetylated modified derivatives

By using high-performance capillary electrophoresis, we have successfully separated rat liver core histones into several subfractions. Inconvenient interactions of the highly basic proteins with the capillary wall were eliminated by a phosphate buffer system containing 0.03% hydroxyprophylmethylcellulose. Sample amounts of a few nanolitres were analysed within about 20 min. Multiacetylated histones H4 and H3 from induced Friend erythroleukaemic cells prepurified by h.p.l.c. were clearly separated into their non-acetylated and distinct acetylated forms. Our results illustrate that the application of capillary zone electrophoresis on its own or in combination with h.p.l.c. to the analysis of histones provides an important new alternative to traditional gel electrophoreses.

A single-column chromatographic system for the analysis and preparation of high mobility group proteins 1 and 2 and other chromosomal proteins using nondenaturing solvents

One-step chromatography on a Mono S column allows the purification of high mobility group (HMG) proteins 1 and 2 under nondenaturing conditions. Chromatography of HMG1 and -2 on Mono S can be achieved with three of the most widely employed extraction techniques for chromosomal proteins, 0.35 M sodium chloride, 0.74 M perchloric acid, and 0.4 N sulfuric acid. In each case HMG1 and -2 are purified away from the other chromosomal proteins, histone H1, and core histones, and are resolved into both their reduced and oxidized forms. Additionally histone H1 and the core histones are fractionated on Mono S, thus the entire complement of chromosomal proteins can be analyzed in a single rapid chromatographic step.

Separation of rat tissue histone H1 subtypes by reverse-phase h.p.l.c. Identification and assignment to a standard H1 nomenclature

H1 histones from rat liver and rat testis were separated by reverse-phase h.p.l.c. Within 40 min six subfractions (H1(0), H1b, H1a, H1d, H1e + H1c and H1c) and seven subfractions (H1(0), H1b, H1a, H1d, H1e + H1c, H1c and H1t) respectively were isolated by using a linear acetonitrile gradient. Each individual H1 subtype was identified either by comparing the H1 variants (contained in both tissues but in different quantities) or by SDS/PAGE and acetic acid/urea/PAGE. Moreover, all H1 variants were characterized by amino acid analyses. The amino acid compositions of rat histone subfractions H1(0), H1b and H1e were determined for the first time. It was possible to classify unambiguously the H1 subfractions obtained by h.p.l.c. by following the standardized H1 nomenclature for electrophoretic systems recommended by Lennox, Oshima & Cohen [(1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 5183-5189]. Incorrect assignments that have been made in various publications are discussed.

Isolation and characterisation of five histone H1 subtypes from adult rat liver

A procedure is described for quantitative purification of H10 and five H1-1 subtypes--named H1-1a to e--from adult rat liver by reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography. Milligram amounts of each fraction have been obtained. The H1-1a subtype shows a very high lysine content (34%) and H1-1d subtype has an amino-acid composition close to that of H10, but its electrophoretic mobility is different. Salt dependent folding of these subtypes has been studied by circular dichroism. In the presence of 2 or 10 mM sodium phosphate buffers at pH 7.5, H1-1a shows the lowest alpha-helix content. In phosphate-buffer containing 1 M NaCl the number of residues in alpha-helix for all the subtypes rises to 9-10%. Partial cleavage of these subtypes by endoproteinase Glu-C produce three main peptides arising from C-terminal domains. The interaction of the H1-1 subtypes with 196 basepairs linear DNA, purified from rat liver chromatin by high-pressure ion-exchange liquid chromatography, has for consequences a modification of the patterns of digestion: partial proteolysis of the H1-1a and H1-1b subtypes shows differences in the presence or in absence of DNA; on the contrary, H1-1c and H1-1d seem to have the same organization. So these subtypes may play a role in the differential packing of specific region of chromatin.

Isolation of modified histone H3 from ultraviolet-irradiated deoxyribonucleoprotein by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

A rapid reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography procedure for the isolation of histone H3 and/or of thymine modified at the lysine residue histone H3 from uv-irradiated deoxyribonucleoprotein and DNA-protein complex is reported. The system utilizes a C8 Ultrasphere macroporous column and an acetonitrile "inverse or negative gradient."

Interaction of an ultimate carcinogen, benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide, with nucleosomal core particles: apparent lack of protection of DNA by histone proteins

The binding of chemical carcinogens to nuclear macromolecules, especially to DNA, is thought to be central to the initiation of carcinogenesis. Previous studies of the interactions of one such ultimate carcinogen, benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide (BPDE-I) with nuclei, chromatin and purified DNA, demonstrated that although some BPDE-I-DNA interactions were altered in chromatin, covalent binding to chromatin DNA at saturating chromatin concentrations was quantitatively the same as binding to purified DNA. We have now extended these studies to include the basic subunit of chromatin, the nucleosomal core particle. Association constants for BPDE-I and a nonreactive analogue were determined by absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy using either core particles or purified DNA and were found to be lower, by a factor of 30, for core particles. One of the major pathways of interaction of BPDE-I with DNA is the catalysis of BPDE-I hydrolysis by the exocyclic amino group of deoxyguanosine in native DNA. This detoxification reaction is inhibited about 30-fold in core particles compared with DNA, consistent with the hypothesis that intercalation is important in this catalytic reaction. In contrast to these findings, at DNA concentrations that allow maximal binding, similar amounts of BPDE-I are bound covalently to either free DNA or the DNA contained in core particles. This finding suggests that the interaction of DNA with histones to form the subunit structure of chromatin does not significantly protect DNA from damage by this ultimate carcinogen. The pattern of DNA adducts formed with core particle DNA shows a subtle shift toward the pattern seen with denatured DNA.

Histone separation by high-performance liquid chromatography on C4 reverse-phase columns

Previous work in our laboratory (Lindner, H., Helliger, W., and Puschendorf, B. (1986) J. Chromatogr. 357, 301-310) described a rapid separation of H1 and core histones by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography using a Bio-Rad Hi-Pore butyl (C4) silica-based column. Despite the short elution time, a high resolution of the different histone fractions, except H4 and H2A (MHP), could be obtained. In this report we present a method for the separation of H4 and H2A (MHP) as well, while maintaining a similar analysis time. By varying the gradient, trifluoroacetic acid concentration (0.05%), and flow rate (1.3 ml/min) the histones were eluted from the C4 column in the following order: H1 (MHP), H1 (LHP), H2B, H2A (LHP), H4, H2A (MHP), H3 (LHP), and H3 (MHP). LHP and MHP refer to less and more hydrophobic histone variants. The identification of the individual protein fractions was performed by comparison the retention times with pure histone markers as well as by gel electrophoresis.