Analysis of the molecular evolution of histone variant H2A.Z using a linker-mediated complex strategy and yeast genetic complementation.

The histone variant H2A.Z is deposited into chromatin by specific machinery and is required for genome functions. Using a linker-mediated complex strategy combined with yeast genetic complementation, we demonstrate evolutionary conservation of H2A.Z together with its chromatin incorporation and functions. This approach is applicable to the evolutionary analyses of proteins that form complexes with interactors.