Open AccessNucleosomal Structures of c-myc Promoters with Transcriptionally Engaged RNA Polymerase II
Author(s) -
Thomas K. Albert,
Josef Mautner,
Jens Oliver Funk,
Konstanze Hörtnagel,
Andrea Pullner,
Dirk Eick
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
molecular and cellular biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.14
H-Index - 327
eISSN - 1067-8824
pISSN - 0270-7306
DOI - 10.1128/mcb.17.8.4363
Subject(s) - rna polymerase ii , biology , chromatin , promoter , transcription (linguistics) , nucleosome , microbiology and biotechnology , transcription factor ii f , transcription factor ii d , transcription factor ii e , upstream activating sequence , rna polymerase , rna polymerase iii , dna , rna , gene expression , gene , genetics , linguistics , philosophy
Organization of DNA into chromatin has been shown to contribute to a repressed state of gene transcription. Disruption of nucleosomal structure is observed in response to gene induction, suggesting a model in which RNA polymerase II (pol II) is recruited to the promoter upon reorganization of nucleosomes. Here we show that induction of c-myc transcription correlates with the disruption of two nucleosomes in the upstream promoter region. This nucleosomal disruption, however, is not necessary for the binding of pol II to the promoter. Transcriptionally engaged pol II complexes can be detected when the upstream chromatin is in a more closed configuration. Thus, upstream chromatin opening is suggested to affect activation of promoter-bound pol II rather than entry of polymerases into the promoter. Interestingly, pol II complexes are detectable in both sense and antisense transcriptional directions, but only complexes in the sense direction respond to activation signals resulting in processive transcription.