Using genomics and proteomics to investigate mechanisms of transcriptional silencing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Silent chromatin in budding yeast is characterized by the presence of a specialized chromatin modification complex consisting of silent information regulator (Sir) proteins, closely packed pairs of nucleosomes, and hypoacetylated and hypomethylated histones. How this specialized chromatin is established, maintained and inherited has been extensively studied. Less investigated are the determinants that constrain its linear spread along the chromatin fibre and the manner by which it represses gene transcription. Here we review the essential features of SIR-mediated heterochromatin, and discuss genomic and proteomic approaches for discerning the composition of its boundaries and for elucidating the mechanisms by which it silences transcription.
Gao
Lu
L
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932 USA.
Gross
David S
DS
D000215:Acylation; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism; D020868:Gene Silencing; D023281:Genomics; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism; D008745:Methylation; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009707:Nucleosomes / Q000378:metabolism; D040901:Proteomics; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D038281:Silent Information Regulator Proteins, Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D002843:Chromatin; D006657:Histones; D009707:Nucleosomes; D038281:Silent Information Regulator Proteins, Saccharomyces cerevisiae