chromatin assembly factor 1 (CAF-1)

Function

• chromatin assembly in DNA replication & DNA repair
• assembles histone octamers onto replicating DNA in vitro
• 1st step of nucleosome assembly process, bringing newly synthesized histones H3 & H4 to replicating DNA
• histones H2A/H2B can bind to this chromatin precursor subsequent to DNA replication to complete histone octamer
• heterochromatin maintenance in proliferating cells
  • brings newly synthesized CBX proteins to heterochromatic DNA replication foci (putative)

Structure

• contains RBBP4, CHAF1A, CHAF1B
• only minor amounts of RBBP4 are complexed with CHAF1A & CHAF1B in G1 phase

More general terms

• molecular complex