The SNF2 domain protein family in higher vertebrates displays dynamic expression patterns in Xenopus laevis embryos

All eukaryotes share a common nuclear infrastructure, in which DNA is packaged into nucleosomal chromatin. Its functional states, in particular the accessibility of the chromatin fiber to trans-acting factors, are determined by two classes of evolutionarily conserved enzymes, i.e. histone modifying enzymes and ATP-driven nucleosome remodeling machines. Browsing the annotated human genome database, we establish here a family of SNF2-like nuclear ATPases, which are the core enzymatic subunits of chromatin remodeling protein complexes. Homologues of those human genes are also to a large extent found in the Xenopus laevis genome, indicating a high degree of sequence conservation of this family among vertebrates. Expression analyses of the ATPase family of proteins reveal stage- and tissue-specific domains of peak RNA expression during early frog embryogenesis. These dynamic expression profiles suggest specific functional requirements for individual members of this family throughout early stages of vertebrate development.