LSD1/CoREST Reversible Opening-Closing Dynamics: Discovery of a Nanoscale Clamp for Chromatin and Protein Binding

LSD1 associated with its corepressor protein CoREST is an exceptionally relevant target for epigenetic drugs. Hypotheses for the role of LSD1/CoREST as a multidocking site for chromatin and protein binding would require significant molecular flexibility, and LSD1/CoREST large-amplitude conformational dynamics is currently unknown. Here, molecular dynamics simulation reveals that the LSD1/CoREST complex in solution functions as a reversible nanoscale binding clamp. We show that the H3 histone tail binding pocket is a potential allosteric site for regulation of the rotation of SWIRM/SANT2 domains around the Tower domain. Thus, targeting this site and including receptor flexibility are crucial strategies for future drug discovery.