When the embryonic genome flexes its muscles.
During the development of multicellular organisms, both transient and stable gene expression patterns have to be established in a precisely orchestrated sequence. Evidence from diverse model organisms indicates that this epigenetic program involves not only transcription factors, but also the local structure, composition, and modification of chromatin, which define and maintain the accessibility and transcriptional competence of the nucleosomal DNA template. A paradigm for the interdependence of development and chromatin is constituted by the mechanisms controlling the specification and differentiation of the skeletal muscle cell lineage in vertebrates, which is the topic of this review.
Rupp
Ralph A W
RA
Adolf-Butenandt-Institut, Department of Molecular Biology, München, Germany. ralph.rupp@med.uni-muenchen.de
Singhal
Nishant
N
Veenstra
Gert Jan C
GJ
D000107:Acetylation; D000818:Animals; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism*; D019175:DNA Methylation; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000196:embryology*; D017570:MyoD Protein / Q000502:physiology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D002843:Chromatin; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D006657:Histones; D017570:MyoD Protein; D014157:Transcription Factors