Nucleosome organization and targeting of SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complexes: Contributions of the DNA sequence

Martin Montecino, Janet L. Stein, Gary S. Stein, Jane B. Lian, Andre J. Van Wijnen, Fernando Cruzat, Soraya Gutiérrez, Juan Olate, Sylvain Marcellini, José L. Gutiérrez

Research output: Contribution to journalShort surveypeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Chromatin organization within the nuclear compartment is a fundamental mechanism to regulate the expression of eukaryotic genes. During the last decade, a number of nuclear protein complexes with the ability to remodel chromatin and regulate gene transcription have been reported. Among these complexes is the SWI/SNF family, which alters chromatin structure in an ATP-dependent manner. A considerable effort has been made to understand the molecular mechanisms by which SWI/SNF catalyzes nucleosome remodeling. However, limited attention has been dedicated to studying the role of the DNA sequence in this remodeling process. Therefore, in this minireview, we discuss the contribution of nucleosome positioning and nucleosome excluding sequences to the targeting and activity of SWI/SNF complexes. This discussion includes results from our group using the rat osteocalcin gene promoter as a model. Based on these results, we postulate a model for chromatin remodeling and transcriptional activation of this gene in osteoblastic cells.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)419-425
Number of pages7
JournalBiochemistry and Cell Biology
Volume85
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2007

Keywords

  • Chromatin remodeling
  • Nucleosome organization
  • SWI/SNF

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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