H2A.Z-dependent and -independent recruitment of metabolic enzymes to chromatin required for histone modifications

H2A.Z plays a fundamental role in the regulation of transcription and epigenetics, however, the mechanisms that underlie its functions are not fully understood. Using rapid chromatin immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry, we uncovered the association of H2A.Z-bound chromatin with an array of tricarboxylic acid cycle and beta-oxidation enzymes in the mouse heart. Recombinant green florescence fusion proteins combined with mutations of putative nuclear localization signals of select enzymes, including acetyl-CoA acyltransferase 2 (ACAA2), oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (OGDH), and isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 confirmed their nuclear localization and chromatin binding in both rodent and human cells. Conclusively, chromatin immunoprecipitation-deep sequencing, confirmed the selective association of ACAA2 and OGDH with H2A.Z-occupied transcription start sites. Finally, human H2A.Z-deficient HAP1 cells exhibited reduced chromatin-bound metabolic enzymes, with the exception of pyruvate dehydrogenase, accompanied with reduced posttranslational histone modifications. Thus, the data show that metabolic enzymes are recruited to active promoters for potential site-directed epigenetic modifications.