DNase I hypersensitive sites in promoter elements associated with basal and vitamin D dependent transcription of the bone-specific osteocalcin gene

Hypersensitive bands of the vitamin D responsive element and the OC box domain transcription intensity consequent to upregulation of osteocalcin suggest chromatin involvement in osteocalcin gene response to physiological modulation. Nonosseous cells lacking osteocalcin gene expression do not exhibit hypersensitivity despite their response to a histone gene promoter. The presence of a nucleosome between two DNase I hypersensitive sites indicates a suitable conformation for binding factors.