The organization of DNA with histone proteins into chromatin is fundamental for the regulation of gene expression. Incorporation of different histone variants into the nucleosome together with post-translational modifications of these histone variants allows modulating chromatin accessibility and contributes to the establishment of functional chromatin states either permissive or repressive for transcription. This review highlights emerging mechanisms required to deposit or evict histone variants in a timely and locus-specific manner. This review further discusses how assembly of specific histone variants permits to reinforce transmission of chromatin states during replication, to maintain heterochromatin organization and stability and to reprogram existing epigenetic information.
Keywords: Chromatin states; Developmental transitions; Histone chaperones; Histone variants.
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