Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Biochemical Assays for Analyzing Activities of ATP-dependent Chromatin Remodeling Enzymes
Published on: October 25, 2014
Mechanisms for nucleosome movement by ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes
Anjanabha Saha1, Jacqueline Wittmeyer, Bradley R Cairns
1Department of Oncological Sciences and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
Abstract:
Chromatin remodeling complexes (remodelers) are a set of diverse multi-protein machines that reposition and restructure nucleosomes. Remodelers are specialized, containing unique proteins that assist in targeting, interaction with modified nucleosomes, and performing specific chromatin tasks. However, all remodelers contain an ATPase domain that is highly similar to known DNA translocases/helicases, suggesting that DNA translocation is a property common to all remodelers. Here we examine the different reactions they perform in vitro, focusing on the SWI/SNF and the ISWI complexes, and explore how DNA translocation might be utilized to execute various remodeling processes.
Related Concept Videos
Nucleosome Remodeling
Nucleosome remodeling complex
Eukaryotic cells have specialized enzymes called ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling enzymes. These enzymes...
Spreading of Chromatin Modifications
Writers
The writer is an enzyme that can...
Forces Acting on Chromosomes
Microtubules and motor proteins exert two types of forces on...
Forces Acting on Chromosomes
Microtubules and motor proteins exert two types of forces on...
The Nucleosome Core Particle
Nucleosomes, paradoxically, perform two opposite functions simultaneously. On the one hand, their primary aim is to protect the delicate DNA strands from physical damage and help achieve a higher compaction ratio. On the other hand, they must allow polymerase enzymes to access histone-bound DNA during...
The Nucleosome Core Particle
The paradox
Nucleosomes, paradoxically, perform two opposite functions simultaneously. On the one hand, their main responsibility is to protect the delicate DNA strands from physical damage and help achieve a higher compaction ratio. While on the other hand, they must allow polymerase enzymes to access DNA...

