Pcf1, a large subunit of CAF-1, required for maintenance of checkpoint kinase Cds1 activity

Highly conserved chromatin assembly factor 1 (CAF-1) is required for histone deposition onto newly synthesized DNA to maintain genome stability. This study shows that the fission yeast Pcf1, the large subunit in CAF-1, is crucial for maintaining checkpoint kinase Cds1. Chromatin recruitment of Cds1 is enhanced by Pcf1 overproduction but is attenuated by the Δpcf1 mutation. Mutation of acetylation sites in the histone H4 tail abrogates the chromatin recruitment of Pcf1, which resembles that of Cds1 as reported previously. The present results provide evidence that chromatin recruitment of Pcf1, moderated by Clr6-HDAC activity, is essential for inactivating Cds1.