Chromatin and cell death

ME Bianchi, A Manfredi - Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-Gene …, 2004 - Elsevier
HMGB1, a very mobile chromatin protein, leaks out from necrotic cells and signals to
neighbouring cells that tissue damage has occurred. At least one receptor for extracellular
HMGB1 exists, and signals to different cells to divide, migrate, activate inflammation or start
an immune response. Remarkably, apoptotic chromatin binds HMGB1 irreversibly, thereby
ensuring that it will not diffuse away to activate responses from neighbouring cells. Thus,
dying cells use their own chromatin to signal how they have died. We argue that the nuclear …