Mechanisms for ATP-dependent chromatin remodelling.
Gene regulation involves the generation of a local chromatin topology that is conducive to transcription. Several classes of chromatin remodelling activity have been shown to play a role in this process. ATP-dependent chromatin-remodelling activities use energy derived from the hydrolysis of ATP to alter the structure of chromatin, making it more accessible for transcription factor binding. The yeast SWI-SWF complex is the founding member of this family of ATP-dependent chromatin-remodelling activities. We have developed a model system to study the ability of the SWI-SWF complex to alter chromatin structure. Using this system, we find that SWI-SWF is able to alter the position of nucleosomes along the DNA. This is consistent with recent reports that other ATP-dependent chromatin-remodelling activities can alter the positions of nucleosomes along DNA. This suggests that nucleosome mobilization may be a general feature of the activity of ATP-dependent chromatin-remodelling activities. Some of the mechanisms by which nucleosomes may be moved along DNA are discussed.
Whitehouse
I
I
Division of Gene Regulation and Expression, The Wellcome Trust Biocentre, Department of Biochemistry, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, Scotland, U.K.
Flaus
A
A
Havas
K
K
Owen-Hughes
T
T
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism*; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism*; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006868:Hydrolysis; D008954:Models, Biological; D009707:Nucleosomes / Q000378:metabolism; D013696:Temperature; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D002843:Chromatin; D009707:Nucleosomes; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D004247:DNA