title: High-resolution analysis of c-fos chromatin accessibility using a novel DNase I-PCR assay.
abstract: In our previous study, c-fos chromatin accessibility was assayed using DNase I digestion and Southern blot analysis. This low-resolution mapping of c-fos chromatin accessibility demonstrated that serum stimulation of the c-fos enhancer induces a reversible increase in c-fos DNase I sensitivity and suggested that a 5' to 3' gradient of DNase I sensitivity may form downstream from the c-fos enhancer. To confirm the existence of a 5' to 3' gradient of accessibility, we have recently developed a high-resolution polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for DNase I sensitivity. Using this novel DNase I assay, we have reliably detected position- and time-dependent gradients of chromatin accessibility around the c-fos enhancer. These data confirm our earlier results and further support the hypothesis that the changes in c-fos chromatin accessibility originate near the 5' enhancer. As a technique for future examinations of gene structure, our data demonstrate the value of the DNase I-PCR assay for rapidly preparing comprehensive and high-resolution maps of chromatin accessibility for any sequenced genomic region.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-2007.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Villeponteau
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism*; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I / Q000378:metabolism*; D004742:Enhancer Elements, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D016762:Genes, fos / Q000235:genetics*; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I