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Updated: Aug 26, 2026

Biochemical Assays for Analyzing Activities of ATP-dependent Chromatin Remodeling Enzymes
Published on: October 25, 2014
Chromatin remodeling by RNA polymerases
Vasily M Studitsky1, Wendy Walter, Maria Kireeva
1Department of Pharmacology, University of Medicine & Dentistry New Jersey, 675 Hoes Lane, Room 405, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA. studitvm@umdnj.edu
Abstract:
Chromatin packages DNA tightly into the eukaryotic nucleus and maintains its proper functioning. Recent studies suggest the existence of two distinct mechanisms of progression of RNA polymerases through chromatin. The first is characteristic of eukaryotic RNA polymerase III, bacteriophage RNA polymerases, and probably ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes. In this mechanism, nucleosomes are translocated without release of the octamer into solution. By contrast, transcription by RNA polymerase II (Pol II) involves displacement of one H2A-H2B dimer. Nucleosomes can present a barrier for transcribing Pol II that can be regulated in vivo. Analysis of the mechanisms of transcription through chromatin should provide important information about mechanisms of chromatin remodeling and gene regulation at the level of transcript elongation.
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