Linker Histones and HMG1 Proteins of Higher Plants

Abstract
Linker histones and the proteins belonging to the high mobility group 1 (HMG1) family are the most abundant proteins associated with the internucleosomal linker DNA in eukaryotic chromatin. Despite their relative abundance, there are indications that they may be involved in specific developmental pathways. In higher plants, a variety of these chromosomal proteins has been identified and characterized. In this report, we give an overview of the present knowledge about these two protein families, and discuss their likely functions in plants.