The paper maps single-residue effects of H2A and H2A.Z nucleosome-core variations on cellular functions, revealing non-chromatin regulatory roles and stress-related benefits.

bioRxiv · Sep 13, 2026 · PreprintMolecular Biology

Emergence of histone-based chromatin complexity in Asgard archaea

Chung Hyun Cho, Colleen S. Russett, Zachary H. Harvey, N Pende, Logan H. Hodgskiss, Jérémy Cangi, Philipp Radler, Karin Hager, Miroslav Homola, Richard Imre, Gabriela Krššáková, Shun’ichi Ishii, Harsh M. Ranawat, Isabelle Anna Zink, Nevena Maslać, , Frédéric Berger

This study identifies histone-based chromatin regulation components in Asgard archaea, suggesting these features predate eukaryogenesis.

bioRxiv · Jul 3, 2026 · PreprintEvolutionary Biology

Nucleosome Positioning Shapes Cryptic Antisense Transcription

Jian Yi Kok, Zachary H. Harvey, Elin Axelsson, Frédéric Berger

This study shows that nucleosome positioning suppresses cryptic antisense transcription in fission yeast, with CHD1-family remodelers and the PAF complex playing a key role.

PLoS Genetics · Mar 13, 2026Peer-reviewedGenetics

Single residue changes to the histone core catalyze neofunctionalization and impose fitness trade-offs

Zachary H. Harvey, Kathryn M Stevens, Jian Yi Kok, Akihisa Osakabe, Jiaying Liu, Tobias Warnecke, Frédéric Berger

This study shows that single residue changes in histone H2A.Z can lead to new functions and fitness trade-offs by altering gene expression.

Cell Reports · Jul 29, 2025Peer-reviewedMolecular Biology