Work

Nucleosome distortion as a possible mechanism of transcription activation domain function

Year: 2016

Type: review

Abstract: After more than three decades since the discovery of transcription activation domains (ADs) in gene-specific activators, the mechanism of their function remains enigmatic. The widely accepted model of direct recruitment by ADs of co-activators and basal transcriptional machinery components, however, is not always compatible with the short size yet very high degree of sequence randomness and intrinsic structural disorder of natural and synthetic ADs. In this review, we formulate the basis for an alternative and complementary model, whereby sequence randomness and intrinsic structural disorder of ADs are necessary for transient distorting interactions with promoter nucleosomes, triggering promoter nucleosome translocation and subsequently gene activation.

Source: Epigenetics & Chromatin

DOI: 10.1186/s13072-016-0092-2

Authors: Tamara Y. Erkina, Alexandre M. Erkine

Institution: Butler University

Language: English

Topic: Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,190

Funders: National Science Foundation, Butler University, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health