title: Serum stimulation of the c-fos enhancer induces reversible changes in c-fos chromatin structure.
abstract: Transcription of the proto-oncogene c-fos is known to be activated by growth factors in serum and subsequently repressed by the Fos protein. We show that generalized DNase I sensitivity of c-fos chromatin correlates closely with enhancer activity during induction, repression, and superinduction of the c-fos gene. Within 90 s of serum stimulation, proximal DNA sequences on both sides of the enhancer exhibit increased DNase I sensitivity. Within 5 min, elevated DNase I sensitivity spreads to chromatin at the distal 3' end of the c-fos gene. These results suggest that an open state of chromatin is propagated in both directions from the enhancer. The induced alterations in chromatin structure precede the increased transcriptional activity of the c-fos gene, suggesting that these changes in chromatin structure potentiate transcription.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-2007.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Villeponteau
mesh_terms: D002455:Cell Division; D002843:Chromatin / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003470:Culture Media; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I / Q000494:pharmacology; D004742:Enhancer Elements, Genetic; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D013997:Time Factors; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin; D003470:Culture Media; C000715470:MAS1 protein, human; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I