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Transcription factor binding in human cells occurs in dense clusters formed around cohesin anchor sites

Jian Yan1, Martin Enge, Thomas Whitington

  • 1Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 14183, Sweden.

Cell
|August 20, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Transcription factors (TFs) re-bind DNA sites after cell division using cohesin as a cellular memory. Cohesin anchors TF clusters, ensuring accurate gene regulation following DNA replication and chromosome condensation.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Transcription factors (TFs) are crucial for gene regulation but are removed during cell division.
  • The mechanism by which TFs re-locate to their specific binding sites after DNA replication and chromosome condensation remains poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how transcription factors re-establish binding to chromatin after cell division.
  • To elucidate the role of cohesin in the re-binding of transcription factors.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of transcription factor binding patterns in human colorectal cancer cells.
  • Investigating the impact of cohesin depletion on DNA accessibility and TF binding.
  • Observing cohesin and TF binding dynamics during S and M phases of the cell cycle.

Main Results:

  • Transcription factor binding is highly clustered on chromatin.
  • These clusters are predominantly located around cohesin.
  • Loss of cohesin reduces DNA accessibility and TF cluster formation.
  • Cohesin remains bound to TF cluster sites during S phase, holding sister chromatids, and persists through M phase after TF eviction.

Conclusions:

  • Cohesin acts as a crucial anchor for transcription factor clusters.
  • Cohesin serves as a cellular memory, facilitating the re-establishment of TF binding sites after DNA replication and chromosome condensation.
  • This mechanism ensures accurate gene regulation continuity throughout the cell cycle.

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