title: Mechanisms for ATP-dependent chromatin remodelling.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gene Regulation and Expression, The Wellcome Trust Biocentre, Department of Biochemistry, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, Scotland, U.K.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Whitehouse
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Flaus
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Havas
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Owen-Hughes
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin; D009707:Nucleosomes; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D004247:DNA