NcHMR detector: A computational framework to systematically reveal non-classical functions of histone modification regulators

Abstract

Recently, several non-classical functions of histone modification regulators (HMRs), independent of their known histone modification substrates and products, have been reported to be essential for specific cellular processes. However, there is no framework designed for identifying such functions systematically. Here, we develop ncHMR detector, the first computational framework to predict non-classical functions and cofactors of a given HMR, based on ChIP-seq data mining. We apply ncHMR detector in ChIP-seq data-rich cell types and predict non-classical functions of HMRs. Finally, we experimentally reveal that the predicted non-classical function of CBX7 is biologically significant for the maintenance of pluripotency.