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Linker histones (H1/H5) are highly abundant, basic chromatin proteins. Most linker histones have a three-domain structure, consisting of a central, folded globular domain, flanked by basic N- and C- terminal "tail" domains. Through the action of two DNA-binding sites ("site I" and "site II"), the globular domain binds to the nucleosome, whilst the tail domains are thought to partially neutralise the negative charge on DNA that connects nucleosomes. Functionally, linker histones facilitate the formation of the "30 nm" chromatin fibre. In this book, the results of an extensive investigation of the binding of linker histone H5 to DNA and chromatin are reported. The question of whether the globular domain of H5 (GH5) more closely resembles an HNF or RFX mode of binding was addressed. Furthermore, the structure and function of the amino- terminal domain of H5 was investigated.

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Gerrit Koorsen obtained an MSc in Molecular and Cell biology from the University of Cape Town in 2002. He was subsequently awarded a Gates Cambridge Scholarship to study towards a PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Cambridge, which he completed in 2005. He currently lectures at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa.

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