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Chromatin signaling and transcription initiation

Frontiers in Life Science, ISSN: 2155-3769, Vol: 7, Issue: 1-2, Page: 22-30
2013
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Article Description

The basic repeating unit of chromatin is the nucleosome. It forms upon the association of two copies each of the four core histones H2A, H2B, H3 and H4 with ∼ 147 base pairs of DNA. Histones are subject to a number of post-translational modifications, some of which are correlated to transcription. Here, we use existing biochemical evidence to construct a signaling network that relates histone modifications to the progression of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) through the transcription cycle taking place at the promoter. We test predictions from this network using whole genome in vivo data. One emerging property of this network is positive feedback between pre-initiation complex (PIC) formation and transcription initiation, which is required to define a competent promoter that allows Pol II to initiate transcription. This feedback loop is in partial competition with another pathway, which enables Pol II to proceed from initiation to elongation. The outcome of this competition determines whether Pol II can proceed to synthesize a full-length transcript or not. Thus, histone modifications as a manifestation of chromatin signaling are required to define a competent promoter and serve as substrates for two opposing pathways: one leading to PIC formation, the other to fully processive transcription elongation. © 2013 © 2013 Taylor & Francis.

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