MacroH2A core histone variants have a unique structure that includes a C-terminal nonhistone domain. They are highly conserved in vertebrates and are thought to regulate gene expression. However, the nature of genes regulated by macroH2As and their biological significance remain unclear. Here, we examine macroH2A function in vivo by knocking out both @entity28312 and @entity68297 in the @entity19 . While macroH2As are not required for early development, the absence of macroH2As impairs prenatal and postnatal growth and can significantly reduce reproductive efficiency. The distributions of @entity28312 - and @entity68297 -containing nucleosomes show substantial overlap, as do their effects on gene expression. Our studies in fetal and adult liver indicate that macroH2As can exert large positive or negative effects on gene expression, with @entity28312 and @entity68297 acting synergistically on the expression of some genes and apparently having opposing effects on others. These effects are very specific and in the adult liver preferentially involve genes related to lipid metabolism, including the @entity18070 . MacroH2A-dependent gene regulation changes substantially in postnatal development and can be strongly affected by fasting. We propose that macroH2As produce adaptive changes to gene expression, which in the liver focus on metabolism.

XXXX without MacroH2A Histone Variants.

@entity19 :: ('10090', 'Species') :: ['mouse'] @entity68297 :: ('67552(Tax:10090)', 'Gene') :: ['macroH2A2', 'macroH2A.2'] @entity28312 :: ('26914(Tax:10090)', 'Gene') :: ['macroH2A.1', 'macroH2A1'] @entity18070 :: ('16847(Tax:10090)', 'Gene') :: ['leptin receptor']
@entity19 :: (10090,Species) :: ['Mice']
