Spermatid-specific linker histone HILS1 is a poor condenser of DNA and chromatin and preferentially associates with LINE-1 elements

摘要

BackgroundLinker histones establish and maintain higher-order chromatin structure. Eleven linker histone subtypes have been reported in mammals. HILS1 is a spermatid-specific linker histone, and its expression overlaps with the histone–protamine exchange process during mammalian spermiogenesis. However, the role of HILS1 in spermatid chromatin remodeling is largely unknown.