Mitotic bookmarking of formerly active genes: keeping epigenetic memories from fading.
In order for cell lineages to be maintained, daughter cells must have the same patterns of gene expression as the cells from which they were divided so that they can have the same phenotypes. However, during mitosis transcription ceases, chromosomal DNA is compacted, and most sequence-specific binding factors dissociate from DNA, making it difficult to understand how the "memory" of gene expression patterns is remembered and propagated to daughter cells. The process of remembering patterns of active gene expression during mitosis for transmission to daughter cells is called gene bookmarking. Here we discuss current knowledge concerning the factors and mechanisms involved in mediating gene bookmarking, including recent results on the mechanism by which the general transcription factor TBP participates in the mitotic bookmarking of formerly active genes.
Sarge
Kevin D
KD
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA. kdsarge@uky.edu
Park-Sarge
Ok-Kyong
OK
D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008938:Mitosis / Q000235:genetics*; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes / Q000378:metabolism*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes; D014157:Transcription Factors; C108312:condensin complexes; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases