Expression and chromosomal mapping of the gene encoding the human histone H1.1

Abstract

The expression of a human histone H1 isoform (H1.1) was studied in several human tissues. Northern blot analysis has revealed that this gene is expressed in testis and thymus, but not in other human tissues. In this report, we demonstrate that the expression of the histone H1.1 gene in human testis is restricted to early round spermatids that belong to the fraction of postmeiotic sperm cells. Transcripts hybridizing with the human H1.1 gene could not be detected in testis of mouse, rat, bull or boar. Southern blot analysis with human genomic DNA, DNA from different Old World monkeys (chimpanzee, orangutan, gorilla and rhesus monkey) and DNA from several mammalian species has revealed that the histone H1.1 gene is highly conserved in higher primates, whereas no cross-hybridization can be detected with DNA from other mammalian species such as mouse, rat, hamster or bull. In a previous report, the human histone H1.1 gene and other H1 genes (H1.2-H1.5, H1t) were assigned to chromosome 6 by polymerase chain reaction analysis using human-rodent cell hybrid DNA; fluorescence in situ hybridization indicated that these genes form part of a major gene cluster on the short arm of chromosome 6. We have confirmed the localization of histone H1.1 to chromosome 6 and have regionally assigned the locus to 6p21.3 by radioactive in situ hybridization.

Male germline-specific histones in mouse and man

“…In contrast to the murine H1.1 gene, transcription of the human H1.1 gene occurs post-meiotically (Burfeind et al, 1994). Expression of the DNA replication-dependant H1.1 histone gene in nondividing post-meiotic cells is highly surprising.…”

“…Expression of the DNA replication-dependant H1.1 histone gene in nondividing post-meiotic cells is highly surprising. Based on the differences in expression patterns and primary structures, Burfeind et al (1994) concluded that rodent and human H1.1 gene products are not functional homologues.…”

“…Southern blot analysis using human H1.1 as a probe showed that the H1.1 gene is highly conserved in higher primates (chimpanzee, orangutan, gorilla and rhesus monkey), while no cross-hybridization could be detected with DNA from other mammalian species (mouse, rat, hamster, and bull) demonstrating significant divergence in nucleotide sequences (Burfeind et al, 1994). Franke et al (1998) studied the expression of the H1.1 gene at both the mRNA and protein levels in mouse testis.…”

Analysis of the transcriptional activity of amplified genes in tumour cells by fluorescence in situ hybridization

“…The genomic probe cos5, specific for the 6p21.3 region, was obtained from Dr. D. Doenecke (Göttingen, Germany) and contains a large portion of the histone H1.1 gene sequence (Burfeind et al 1994). The genomic probe cCI6-84, specific for the 6p12 region, was obtained from the Japanese Cancer Research Resources Bank via Dr. K. Hashimoto (Tokyo, Japan) and contains a 40-kb insert including 8 kb of the heat-sensitive protein 90 beta (hsp90 beta) gene sequence (Takahashi et al 1994).…”

“…To characterize the amplified region further, FISH analysis was also performed with a cosmid probe mapping to the 6p21.3 region and containing a large portion of the histone H1.1 gene (Burfeind et al 1994). As shown in Fig.…”