H2B histone family, member W, testis-specific is a protein that in humans is encoded by the H2BFWT gene.[1]
Histones are basic nuclear proteins that are responsible for the nucleosome structure of the chromosomal fiber in eukaryotes. Two molecules of each of the four core histones (H2A, H2B, H3, and H4) form an octamer, around which approximately 146 bp of DNA is wrapped in repeating units, called nucleosomes. The linker histone, H1, interacts with linker DNA between nucleosomes and functions in the compaction of chromatin into higher order structures. This gene encodes a member of the H2B histone family that is specifically expressed in sperm nuclei. A polymorphism in the 5' UTR of this gene is associated with male infertility.[provided by RefSeq, Jan 2010].[1]
Churikov D, Zalenskaya IA, Zalensky AO (2004). "Male germline-specific histones in mouse and man". Cytogenetic and Genome Research. 105 (2–4): 203–14. doi:10.1159/000078190. PMID15237208.
Churikov D, Siino J, Svetlova M, Zhang K, Gineitis A, Morton Bradbury E, Zalensky A (October 2004). "Novel human testis-specific histone H2B encoded by the interrupted gene on the X chromosome". Genomics. 84 (4): 745–56. doi:10.1016/j.ygeno.2004.06.001. PMID15475252.
Lee J, Park HS, Kim HH, Yun YJ, Lee DR, Lee S (August 2009). "Functional polymorphism in H2BFWT-5'UTR is associated with susceptibility to male infertility". Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine. 13 (8B): 1942–51. doi:10.1111/j.1582-4934.2009.00830.x. PMID19583817.
