HMG proteins: dynamic players in gene regulation and differentiation

Core histones package the genome into nucleosomes andcontrol its accessibility to transcription factors. High mobilitygroup proteins (HMGs) are, after histones, the second mostabundant chromatin proteins and exert global genomicfunctions in establishing active or inactive chromatin domains.It is becoming increasingly clear that they also specificallycontrol the expression of a limited number of genes. Moreover,they contribute to the fine tuning of transcription in response torapid environmental changes. They do so by interacting withnucleosomes, transcription factors, nucleosome-remodellingmachines, and with histone H1.