title: Chromatin states at ribosomal DNA loci.
abstract: Eukaryotic transcription of ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) by RNA polymerase I can account for more than half of the total cellular transcripts depending on organism and growth condition. To support this level of expression, eukaryotic rRNA genes are present in multiple copies. Interestingly, these genes co-exist in different chromatin states that may differ significantly in their nucleosome content and generally correlate well with transcriptional activity. Here we review how these chromatin states have been discovered and characterized focusing particularly on their structural protein components. The establishment and maintenance of rRNA gene chromatin states and their impact on rRNA synthesis are discussed. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Transcription by Odd Pols.
authors.affiliation: Lehrstuhl Biochemie III, Universität Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hamperl
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wittner
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Babl
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Perez-Fernandez
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tschochner
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Griesenbeck
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002843:Chromatin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D056426:Genetic Loci; D006801:Humans; D012318:RNA Polymerase I / Q000378:metabolism; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal; D012318:RNA Polymerase I