Recombinant Human H4C1 protein

Histone H4C1 (H4 clustered histone 1), a core component of nucleosomes, plays a fundamental role in chromatin structure and epigenetic regulation. As one of the five main histone H4 variants in humans, H4C1 is encoded by the HIST1H4A gene located on chromosome 6. It forms an octamer with histone H3 variants, around which 147 base pairs of DNA are wrapped to form the nucleosome—the basic repeating unit of chromatin. This architectural function is critical for DNA compaction, genome stability, and transcriptional regulation. Recombinant H4C1 protein is artificially produced using expression systems (e.g., E. coli or mammalian cells) to study histone interactions, nucleosome assembly, and post-translational modifications (PTMs) such as acetylation, methylation, or phosphorylation. These PTMs regulate chromatin accessibility and serve as epigenetic marks influencing gene expression. Researchers utilize recombinant H4C1 to investigate its role in DNA repair, replication, and cell cycle progression. Dysregulation of H4C1 expression or mutations has been linked to cancers, developmental disorders, and aging-related diseases. Its recombinant form also aids in developing histone-modifying enzyme inhibitors and studying crosstalk between histone variants in disease models. Unlike native histones, recombinant H4C1 often includes tags (e.g., His-tag) for purification and tracking, requiring validation of functionality in downstream assays. Current studies focus on its non-canonical roles in cytoplasmic processes and potential therapeutic applications in epigenetic editing.