Binding and interplay of HMG proteins on chromatin: lessons from live cell imaging

Abstract

Members of the superfamily of high mobility group (HMG) proteins are considered as architectural elements of chromatin. It is now clear that they belong to a network of dynamic chromatin proteins that constantly move around the chromatin fiber thereby dynamically modulating DNA-dependent processes. In this review we discuss how HMGs fused to fluorescent proteins and live cell imaging advanced our understanding in HMG dynamics and function. By presenting the regulation of the dynamic properties of each HMG family in comparison to one another we wish to highlight common themes among the three families, as well as stimulate new ideas from one HMG family in relation to the others and more generally in the dynamic world of chromatin.