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WSTF–ISWI chromatin remodeling complex targets heterochromatic replication foci
Author(s) -
Bozhenok Ludmila,
Wade Paul A.,
VargaWeisz Patrick
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.1093/emboj/21.9.2231
Subject(s) - marie curie , chromatin remodeling , biology , library science , chromatin , genetics , gerontology , medicine , gene , computer science , european union , business , economic policy
The Williams Syndrome Transcription Factor (WSTF), the product of the WBSCR9 gene, is invariably deleted in the haploinsufficiency Williams–Beuren Syndrome. Along with the nucleosome‐dependent ATPase ISWI, WSTF forms a novel chromatin remodeling complex, WICH ( W STF– I SWI ch romatin remodeling complex), which is conserved in vertebrates. The WICH complex was purified to homogeneity from Xenopus egg extract and was found to contain only WSTF and ISWI. In mouse cells, WSTF interacts with the SNF2H isoform of ISWI. WSTF accumulates in pericentric heterochromatin coincident with the replication of these structures, suggesting a role for WSTF in the replication of heterochromatin. Such a role is supported by the in vitro activity of both the mouse and frog WICH complexes: they are involved in the assembly of regular spaced nucleosomal arrays. In contrast to the related ISWI‐interacting protein ACF1/WCRF180, WSTF binds stably to mitotic chromosomes. As dysfunction of other chromatin remodeling factors often has severe effects on development, haploinsufficiency of WSTF may explain some of the phenotypes associated with this disease.