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Exploring cellular memory molecules marking competent and active transcriptions.
- Source :
-
BMC Molecular Biology . 2007, Vol. 8, p31-9. 9p. 6 Diagrams, 1 Chart, 1 Graph. - Publication Year :
- 2007
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Abstract
- Background: Development in higher eukaryotes involves programmed gene expression. Cell type-specific gene expression is established during this process and is inherited in succeeding cell cycles. Higher eukaryotes have evolved elegant mechanisms by which committed gene-expression states are transmitted through numerous cell divisions. Previous studies have shown that both DNase I-sensitive sites and the basal transcription factor TFIID remain on silenced mitotic chromosomes, suggesting that certain trans-factors might act as bookmarks, maintaining the information and transmitting it to the next generation. Results: We used the mouse globin gene clusters as a model system to examine the retention of active information on M-phase chromosomes and its contribution to the persistence of transcriptional competence of these gene clusters in murine erythroleukemia cells. In cells arrested in mitosis, the erythroid-specific activator NF-E2p45 remained associated with its binding sites on the globin gene loci, while the other major erythroid factor, GATA-1, was removed from chromosome. Moreover, despite mitotic chromatin condensation, the distant regulatory regions and promoters of transcriptionally competent globin gene loci are marked by a preserved histone code consisting in active histone modifications such as H3 acetylation, H3-K4 dimethylation and K79 dimethylation. Further analysis showed that other active genes are also locally marked by the preserved active histone code throughout mitotic inactivation of transcription. Conclusion: Our results imply that certain kinds of specific protein factors and active histone modifications function as cellular memory markers for both competent and active genes during mitosis, and serve as a reactivated core for the resumption of transcription when the cells exit mitosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14712199
- Volume :
- 8
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- BMC Molecular Biology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 29405436
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2199-8-31