Molecular basis of chromatin remodeling by Rhp26, a yeast CSB ortholog

CSB/ERCC6 belongs to an orphan subfamily of SWI2/SNF2-related chromatin remodelers and plays crucial roles in gene expression, DNA damage repair, and the maintenance of genome integrity. The molecular basis of chromatin remodeling by Cockayne syndrome B protein (CSB) is not well understood. Here we investigate the molecular mechanism of chromatin remodeling by Rhp26, a Schizosaccharomyces pombe CSB ortholog. The molecular basis of chromatin remodeling and nucleosomal epitope recognition by Rhp26 is distinct from that of canonical chromatin remodelers, such as imitation switch protein (ISWI). We reveal that the remodeling activities are bidirectionally regulated by CSB-specific motifs: The N-terminal leucine-latch motif and the C-terminal coupling motif. Rhp26 remodeling activities depend mainly on H4 tails and to a lesser extent on H3 tails, but not on H2A and H2B tails. Rhp26 promotes the disruption of histone cores and the release of free DNA. Finally, we dissected the distinct contributions of two Rhp26 C-terminal regions to chromatin remodeling and DNA damage repair.