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Condensed chromatin domains in the mammalian nucleus are accessible to large macromolecules
Author(s) -
Verschure Pernette J,
van der Kraan Ineke,
Manders Erik M M,
Hoogstraten Deborah,
Houtsmuller Adriaan B,
van Driel Roel
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
embo reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.584
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1469-3178
pISSN - 1469-221X
DOI - 10.1038/sj.embor.embor922
Subject(s) - chromatin , interphase , macromolecule , microbiology and biotechnology , transcription (linguistics) , chia pet , bivalent chromatin , transcription coregulator , biology , transcription factor , gene silencing , nucleus , gene , chromatin remodeling , genetics , linguistics , philosophy
Most chromatin in interphase nuclei is part of condensed chromatin domains. Previous work has indicated that transcription takes place predominantly at the surface of chromatin domains, that is, in the perichromatin region. It is possible that genes inside chromatin domains are silenced due to inaccessibility to macromolecular components of the transcription machinery. We have tested the accessibility of chromatin domains in nuclei of living cells with proteins and dextrans of different molecular sizes. Our results show that chromatin domains are readily accessible to large macromolecules, including proteins with a molecular weight of several hundred kilodaltons. Therefore, the silencing of genes that are incorporated into such domains is not due to the physical inaccessibility of condensed chromatin domains to transcription factors.