Basic chromosomal proteins in lower eukaryotes: relevance to the evolution and function of histones.

The occurence of the basic chromosomal proteins in lower eukaryotes provides a useful approach to the study of histone evolution and function in higher eukaryotes. The histones of higher plants and animals are very similar and some are nearly identical, suggesting a high degree of evolutionary conservation within this group of proteins. However, a literature survey reveals that in the lower eukaryotes the histone situation is quite variable. The ciliates, and the true and cellular slime molds possess basic chromosomal proteins that are very similar to the histones of higher plants and animals. Various other lower eukaryotes possess basic chromosomal proteins that resemble at least some of the major histone fractions, and some microorganisms possess basic chromosomal proteins that bear little or no relationship to higher plant and animal histones. Since histones play a major role in the control of gene expression and the maintenance of chromosome structure in higher organisms, the evolution of these proteins represents a major change in the packaging of DNA and the mode of regulating gene expression in eukaryotes.