Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026
10:14
Biochemical Assays for Analyzing Activities of ATP-dependent Chromatin Remodeling Enzymes
Published on: October 25, 2014
ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes in Drosophila
Karim Bouazoune1, Alexander Brehm
1Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Molecular Biology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Genetics, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Summary
ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers regulate DNA-based processes by altering nucleosome structure. Studies in Drosophila melanogaster have significantly advanced our understanding of these essential enzyme complexes and their in-vivo roles.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Chromatin structure regulation is crucial for eukaryotic DNA processes like transcription and replication.
- Enzymes utilizing ATP hydrolysis are key to modifying chromatin environments.
- Recent advances have elucidated the function, regulation, and in-vivo roles of these enzyme complexes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the main classes of ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers in Drosophila.
- To summarize current knowledge on their mechanisms and in-vivo functions.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers.
- Focus on studies conducted in Drosophila melanogaster.
Main Results:
- Identification and categorization of major ATP-dependent chromatin remodeler classes in Drosophila.
- Elucidation of their functional mechanisms and in-vivo significance.
Conclusions:
- Drosophila melanogaster serves as a powerful model for studying ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers.
- Significant progress has been made in understanding these complexes, their regulation, and their roles in fundamental cellular processes.
Related Concept Videos
02:54Nucleosome Remodeling
Nucleosomes are the basic units of chromatin compaction. Each nucleosome consists of the DNA bound tightly around a histone core, which makes the DNA inaccessible to DNA binding proteins such as DNA polymerase and RNA polymerase. Hence, the fundamental problem is to ensure access to DNA when appropriate, despite the compact and protective chromatin structure.
Nucleosome remodeling complex
Eukaryotic cells have specialized enzymes called ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling enzymes. These enzymes...
Nucleosome remodeling complex
Eukaryotic cells have specialized enzymes called ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling enzymes. These enzymes...
02:04Polytene Chromosomes
Polytene chromosomes are giant interphase chromosomes with several DNA strands placed side by side. They were discovered in the year 1881 by Balbiani in salivary glands, intestine, muscles, malpighian tubules, and hypoderm of larvae Chironomus plumosus. Hence, these are also called "Salivary gland chromosomes." These are found in insects of the order Diptera and Collembola; in certain organs of mammals; and synergids, antipodes of flowering plants. Polytene chromosomes are also regularly...
02:38Heterochromatin
The extent of chromatin compaction can be studied by staining chromatin using specific DNA binding dyes. Under the microscope, the dense-compacted regions that take up more dye are called heterochromatin. Heterochromatin is further classified into two forms – constitutive heterochromatin and facultative heterochromatin.
Constitutive heterochromatin: It is a highly compact region of chromatin that is mostly concentrated in the centromere and telomere. Unlike euchromatin, the amino acid at 9th...
Constitutive heterochromatin: It is a highly compact region of chromatin that is mostly concentrated in the centromere and telomere. Unlike euchromatin, the amino acid at 9th...
01:32Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells
Chromatin modification alters gene expression; therefore, scientists can add histone-modifying enzymes, histone variants, and chromatin remodeling complexes to somatic cells to aid reprogramming into pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...
02:25Spreading of Chromatin Modifications
The histone proteins in the nucleosomes are post-translationally modified (PTM) to increase or decrease access to DNA. The commonly observed PTMs are methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination of lysine amino acids in the histone H3 tail region. These histone modifications have specific meaning for the cell. Hence, they are called "histone code". The protein complex involved in histone modification is termed as "reader-writer" complex.
Writers
The writer is an enzyme that can...
Writers
The writer is an enzyme that can...
02:15Condensins
Condensins are large protein complexes that use ATP to fuel the assembly of chromosomes during mitosis. They transform the tangled, shapeless mass of post-interphase DNA into individualized chromosomes by compacting, organizing, and segregating chromosomal DNA.
The plant and animal cells contain two types of condensin complexes—condensin I and condensin II. Both complexes have five subunits: two SMC (Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes) subunits, a kleisin subunit, and two HEAT-repeat...
The plant and animal cells contain two types of condensin complexes—condensin I and condensin II. Both complexes have five subunits: two SMC (Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes) subunits, a kleisin subunit, and two HEAT-repeat...