Transient kinetic analysis of SWR1C-catalyzed H2A.Z deposition unravels the impact of nucleosome dynamics and the asymmetry of stepwise histone exchange

SUMMARY The SWR1C chromatin remodeling enzyme catalyzes an ATP-dependent replacement of nucleosomal H2A with the H2A.Z variant, regulating key DNA-mediated processes, such as transcription and DNA repair. Here we investigate the transient kinetic mechanism of the histone exchange reaction employing ensemble FRET, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), and the steady state kinetics of ATP hydrolysis. Our studies indicate that SWR1C modulates nucleosome dynamics on both the millisecond and microsecond timescales, poising the nucleosome for the dimer exchange reaction. The transient kinetic analysis of the remodeling reaction performed under single turnover conditions unraveled a striking asymmetry in the ATP-dependent replacement of nucleosomal dimers, promoted by localized DNA translocation. Taken together, our transient kinetic studies identify new intermediates and provide crucial insights into the SWR1C-catalyzed dimer exchange reaction, as well as shedding light on how the mechanics of H2A.Z deposition might contribute to transcriptional regulation in vivo.