The linker histones are known to contribute to the formation and maintenance of higher order chromatin structures
but their physiological functions are still largely unknown. They display a complex pattern of variants and recent
data suggest that they may have specific roles in epigenetic control of gene expression. The cell cycle dependent
phosphorylation of certain serine and threonine residues in the charged tails of the linker histones is most probably
of major importance in determining the architecture of chromatin during cell proliferation and differentiation, but
the molecular details of this process are very unclear. Aberrant chromatin structure may contribute to malignant
transformation and tumour formation. This project aims at elucidating these mechanisms by combining the
expertise of Herbert Lindner`s laboratory in Innsbruck and Jean Thomas` laboratory in Cambridge, in collaboration
with Ingemar Rundquist`s laboratory in Linköping. All three research groups have many years` experience in linker
histone research and the laboratories complement each other well, offering a large range of methods and techniques
in analytical chemistry, structural biology, biophysics, and cytochemistry. Together, these investigations should
contribute to increased understanding of epigenetic mechanisms involved in chromatin architecture, regulation of
cell growth and differentiation, and in malignant transformation and tumour progression.