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GAL4 directs nucleosome sliding induced by NURF
Ju-Gyeong Kang1, Ali Hamiche, Carl Wu
1Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 37, Room 6068, Bethesda, MD 20892-4255, USA.
The EMBO Journal
|March 13, 2002
Summary
The Drosophila nucleosome remodeling factor (NURF) slides nucleosomes to preferred positions, similar to heat-induced movement. Transcription factors like GAL4 can direct this sliding, influencing gene activation.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Chromatin Biology
- Gene Regulation
Background:
- The Drosophila nucleosome remodeling factor (NURF) is an ISWI-containing complex.
- NURF repositions nucleosomes at promoter regions, regulating transcription machinery access.
- In vitro reconstituted mononucleosomes exhibit varied translational positions on DNA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism and directionality of NURF-induced nucleosome sliding.
- To explore the influence of transcription factors on NURF-mediated nucleosome movement.
- To understand how nucleosome repositioning impacts promoter activation.
Main Methods:
- In vitro reconstitution of mononucleosomes.
- Nucleosome sliding assays using NURF.
- Demonstration of GAL4 DNA-binding domain influence on nucleosome movement.
- Analysis of nucleosome positioning relative to DNA sequences.
Main Results:
- NURF catalyzes bi-directional nucleosome sliding to preferred positions.
- NURF-induced sliding resembles nucleosome movement caused by elevated temperature.
- The GAL4 DNA-binding domain extends NURF-induced sliding on a GAL4-E4 promoter.
- Asymmetric placement of GAL4 sites modulates the direction of NURF-induced sliding.
Conclusions:
- NURF-mediated nucleosome sliding is influenced by temperature and DNA-binding proteins.
- Transcription factor binding can direct and extend nucleosome sliding.
- Sequence-specific, transcription factor-directed nucleosome sliding significantly impacts promoter activation.