A novel cis-acting centromeric DNA element affects S. pombe centromeric chromatin structure at a distance.
The chromatin structure of the central core region of Schizosaccharomyces pombe centromeric DNA is unusual. This distinctive chromatin structure is associated only with central core sequences in a functional context and is modulated by a novel cis-acting DNA element (centromere enhancer) within the functionally critical K centromeric repeat, which is found in multiple copies in all three S. pombe centromeres. The centromere enhancer alters central core chromatin structure from a distance and in an orientation-independent manner without altering the nucleosomal packaging of sequences between the enhancer and the central core. These findings suggest a functionally relevant structural interaction between the enhancer and the centromeric central core brought about by DNA looping.
Department of Biological Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara 93106.
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Marschall
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Clarke
D015139:Blotting, Southern; D002503:Centromere / Q000235:genetics*; D002843:Chromatin / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D015825:Chromosomes, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D015342:DNA Probes; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004742:Enhancer Elements, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D009707:Nucleosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid / Q000235:genetics; D012568:Schizosaccharomyces / Q000235:genetics*
D002843:Chromatin; D015342:DNA Probes; D004271:DNA, Fungal; D009707:Nucleosomes