Heterochromatin-associated protein 1 (HP1) [1] is thought to affect chromat
in structure through interactions with other proteins in heterochromatin [2
], Chrome domains located near the amino (amino chrome) and carboxy (chromo
shadow) termini of HP1 may mediate such interactions, as suggested by doma
in swapping, in vitro binding and 3D structural studies [3-8], Several HP1-
associated proteins have been reported, providing candidates that might spe
cifically complex with the chrome domains of HP1, However, such association
studies provide little mechanistic insight and explore only a limited set
of potential interactions in a largely non-competitive setting. To determin
e how chrome domains can selectively interact with other proteins, we probe
d random peptide phage display libraries using chrome domains from HP1, Our
results demonstrate that a consensus pentapeptide is sufficient for specif
ic interaction with the HP1 chrome shadow domain. The pentapeptide is found
in the amino acid sequence of reported HP1-associated proteins, including
the shadow domain itself, Peptides that bind the shadow domain also disrupt
shadow domain dimers, Our results suggest that HP1 dimerization, which is
thought to mediate heterochromatin compaction and cohesion, occurs via pent
apeptide binding. In general, chrome domains may function by avidly binding
short peptides at the surface of chromatin-associated proteins.