Abstract
Regulated gene expression within a complex chromosomal locus requires multiple nuclear processes. We have analyzed the transcriptional properties of the cloned chick β-globin gene family when assembled into synthetic nuclei made by use of Xenopus egg extracts. Assembly in an erythroid protein environment correctly recapitulates tissue-specific chromatin structure and long-range promoter-enhancer interaction within the chromosomal locus, resulting in β-globin gene activation. Nucleosome-repressed β-globin templates can be transcriptionally activated by double-stranded DNA replication in the presence of staged erythroid proteins by remodeling of the chromatin structure within the promoter region and establishment of distal promoter-enhancer communication. The programmed transcriptional state of a gene, as encoded by its chromatin structure and long-range promoter-enhancer interactions, is stable to nuclear decondensation and DNA replication unless active remodeling occurs in the presence of specific DNA-binding proteins.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 2453-2465 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Genes and Development |
Volume | 8 |
Issue number | 20 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 15 1994 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- DNA replication
- Xenopus
- chromatin
- enhancers
- synthetic nuclei
- transcription
- β-Globin genes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Genetics
- Developmental Biology