Cohesin and CTCF: cooperating to control chromosome conformation?
The cohesin complex is best known for its role in sister chromatid cohesion. Over the past few years, it has become apparent that cohesin also regulates gene expression, but the mechanisms by which it does so are unknown. Recently, three groups mapped numerous cohesin-binding sites in mammalian chromosomes and found substantial overlap with the CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF).1-3 CTCF is an insulator protein that blocks enhancer-promoter interactions, and the investigators found that cohesin also contributes to this activity. Thus, these studies demonstrate at least one mechanism by which cohesin can control gene expression.
Gause
Maria
M
Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Missouri 63104, USA. gauzemg@slu.edu
Schaaf
Cheri A
CA
Dorsett
Dale
D
D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D000076246:CCCTC-Binding Factor; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / Q000737:chemistry*; D020090:Chromosome Segregation; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D004742:Enhancer Elements, Genetic; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011485:Protein Binding; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D000097722:Cohesins
D000076246:CCCTC-Binding Factor; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D000097722:Cohesins; C000619697:CTCF protein, human