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A high‐resolution analysis of chromatin structure along p53 sequences
Author(s) -
Tornaletti Silvia,
Bates Steven,
Pfeifer Gerd P.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
molecular carcinogenesis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.254
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1098-2744
pISSN - 0899-1987
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-2744(199612)17:4<192::aid-mc2>3.0.co;2-g
Subject(s) - biology , micrococcal nuclease , nucleosome , chromatin , dnase i hypersensitive site , dna , hypersensitive site , deoxyribonuclease i , microbiology and biotechnology , nuclease , genetics , mutagenesis , gene , mutation , base sequence
A detailed investigation of how nucleosomes are formed and arranged on the DNA sequence is a prerequisite to understanding the molecular mechanisms of DNA‐dependent processes such as transcription, replication, DNA repair, and mutagenesis. In this report we analyzed the chromatin structure of exons 5–8 of the p53 gene in human fibroblasts. We mapped at the nucleotide level the positions of DNase I and micrococcal nuclease cleavage sites in permeabilized cells. Areas of clear DNase I protection, which would be indicative of the binding of sequence‐specific proteins, were not detected. Instead, the micrococcal nuclease and DNase digestion patterns suggested that this region was covered by nucleosomes and that two areas spanning exons 5 and 6 are occupied preferentially. These nucleosomes could influence DNA damage distribution, repair of certain lesions, and other aspects of the mutagenesis process in p53 sequences. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.