Nucleosome positioning and gene regulation

✍ Scribed by Quinn Lu; Lori L. Wallrath; Sarah C. R. Elgin

• Book ID: 102876602
• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1994
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 980 KB
• Volume: 55
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0730-2312
• DOI: 10.1002/jcb.240550110

✦ Synopsis

Recent genetic and biochemical studies have revealed critical information concerning the role of nucleosomes in eukaryotic gene regulation. Nucleosomes package DNA into a dynamic chromatin structure, and by assuming defined positions in chromatin, influence gene regulation. Nucleosomes can serve as repressors, presumably by blocking access to regulatory elements; consequently, the positions of nucleosomes relative to the location of cis-acting elements are critical. Some genes have a chromatin structure that is "preset," ready for activation, while others require "remodeling" for activation. Nucleosome positioning may be determined by multiple factors, including histone-DNA interactions, boundaries defined by DNA structure or protein binding, and higher-order chromatin Structure.