Dominant and specific repression of Xenopus oocyte 5S RNA genes and satellite I DNA by histone H1.
The genome of Xenopus laevis contains two large families of class III genes (oocyte 5S RNA and satellite I DNA) that are repressed in somatic cells. Both gene families are actively transcribed in a soluble extract of X.laevis oocyte nuclei, using chromatin deficient in histone H1 as a template. The addition of histone H1, to this transcriptionally active chromatin, results in the dominant and selective repression of oocyte 5S RNA genes and satellite I DNA. Somatic 5S RNA genes remain active following histone H1 addition. Changes in chromatin structure could have a dominant role in the regulation of class III gene expression during Xenopus embryogenesis.
Wolffe
A P
AP
Laboratory of Molecular Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.
D000818:Animals; D002843:Chromatin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004276:DNA, Satellite / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000187:drug effects*; D012341:RNA, Ribosomal, 5S / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development
D002843:Chromatin; D004276:DNA, Satellite; D006657:Histones; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal; D012341:RNA, Ribosomal, 5S