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Mechanisms for ATP-dependent chromatin remodelling.
I Whitehouse1, A Flaus, K Havas
1Division of Gene Regulation and Expression, The Wellcome Trust Biocentre, Department of Biochemistry, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, Scotland, U.K.
Biochemical Society Transactions
|August 30, 2000
Summary
The yeast SWI-SWF complex, an ATP-dependent chromatin remodeler, can reposition nucleosomes on DNA. This nucleosome mobilization may be a general mechanism for ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling activities.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Epigenetics
- Gene Regulation
Background:
- Gene regulation requires specific local chromatin structures for transcription.
- ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers utilize ATP hydrolysis to modify chromatin accessibility.
- The yeast SWI-SWF complex is a key member of ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the chromatin structure-altering capabilities of the SWI-SWF complex.
- To determine if SWI-SWF can remodel chromatin by altering nucleosome positions.
Main Methods:
- Development of a model system to study SWI-SWF activity.
- Analysis of SWI-SWF's effect on nucleosome positioning within chromatin.
Main Results:
- The SWI-SWF complex demonstrated the ability to alter nucleosome positions along DNA.
- Observed nucleosome mobilization is consistent with findings for other ATP-dependent remodelers.
Conclusions:
- Nucleosome mobilization is likely a general mechanism for ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling.
- Further investigation into the mechanisms of nucleosome movement along DNA is warranted.