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Updated: May 24, 2026

Adaptation at the Extremes of Life: Experimental Evolution with the Extremophile Archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius
Published on: June 14, 2024
ATAC-king the complexity of SAGA during evolution
Gianpiero Spedale1, H Th Marc Timmers, W W M Pim Pijnappel
1Molecular Cancer Research, Netherlands Proteomics Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands.
The yeast SAGA (Spt-Ada-Gcn5-acetyltransferase) complex and its related ATAC complex regulate gene expression and histone modifications. These distinct complexes evolved from yeast SAGA and play crucial roles in vertebrate cellular processes.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Gene Regulation
- Epigenetics
Background:
- The yeast SAGA (Spt-Ada-Gcn5-acetyltransferase) complex is a crucial transcriptional coactivator.
- It performs diverse functions including histone acetylation and mRNA export.
- These functions are mediated by distinct modules within the complex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary divergence of yeast SAGA in metazoans.
- To characterize the composition and function of metazoan SAGA and ATAC complexes.
- To understand the distinct roles of these complexes in vertebrate gene regulation.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of SAGA and ATAC complex compositions across metazoans.
- Functional studies to assess the roles of these complexes in transcription and histone modification.
- Investigation of their involvement in signaling pathways and cell cycle regulation.
Main Results:
- Yeast SAGA has evolved into distinct SAGA and ATAC complexes in metazoans.
- Vertebrates possess two forms of SAGA and ATAC complexes.
- These complexes exhibit unique functions in transcription, histone modification, and cellular regulation.
Conclusions:
- Metazoan SAGA and ATAC complexes are key regulators of gene expression and epigenetics.
- Their distinct compositions and functions are critical for cellular processes in vertebrates.
- Understanding these complexes provides insights into evolutionary changes in transcriptional regulation.
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