Figure 29.

Structure and applications of methyllysine analogues. (a) Synthesis of methyllysine analogues by cysteine alkylation. (b) Comparison between methyllysine and a thioether analogue. (c and d) Subtle local changes in nucleosome structure upon histone lysine methylation. Modified nucleosomes are depicted in light colors (H3K79_Cme2 in light blue, pdb code 3c1c in (c); H4K20_Cme3 in pale green, pdb code 3c1b in (d)). Unmodified versions are shown in corresponding dark tones (pdb code: 1kx5). Yellow arrows indicate modified residues. (e) Model of the structure of a nucleosome containing H3K36me3 (yellow arrow) in complex with the PSIP1 PWWP domain (the backbones of neutral, basic, and acidic side chains are shown in white, blue, and red, respectively; pdb code: 3ZH1).