The vertebrate protein CTCF functions as an insulator in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Insulators are elements that shelter genes from the effects of silencers or enhancers. CTCF is the only vertebrate protein that has a recognized role in transcriptional insulation, but how it exerts its effect is unknown. In an attempt to better understand how CTCF functions, we have used an insulation assay in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We show that CTCF acts as an insulator in yeast, where it can efficiently block the spreading of repressive telomeric chromatin. We identify two domains of the protein that are responsible for this activity: a short and very potent N-terminal domain, as well as the C-terminus of the protein.
Defossez
Pierre-Antoine
PA
CNRS UMR 5665, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, 46 Allée d'Italie, 69364 Lyon Cedex 07, France. pierre-antoine.defossez@ens-lyon.fr
Gilson
Eric
E
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000076246:CCCTC-Binding Factor; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D006570:Heterochromatin / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics*; D016615:Telomere / Q000235:genetics; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D000076246:CCCTC-Binding Factor; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D006570:Heterochromatin; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors