Epigenetic inheritance of an inducibly nucleosome-depleted promoter and its associated transcriptional state in the apparent absence of transcriptional activators

• Main Authors: Ohsawa Ryosuke, Adkins Melissa, Tyler Jessica K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2009-09-01
• Series: Epigenetics & Chromatin
• Online Access: http://www.epigeneticsandchromatin.com/content/2/1/11

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Dynamic changes to the chromatin structure play a critical role in transcriptional regulation. This is exemplified by the Spt6-mediated histone deposition on to histone-depleted promoters that results in displacement of the general transcriptional machinery during transcriptional repression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using the yeast <it>PHO5 </it>promoter as a model, we have previously shown that blocking Spt6-mediated histone deposition on to the promoter leads to persistent transcription in the apparent absence of transcriptional activators <it>in vivo</it>. We now show that the nucleosome-depleted <it>PHO5 </it>promoter and its associated transcriptionally active state can be inherited through DNA replication even in the absence of transcriptional activators. Transcriptional reinitiation from the nucleosome-depleted <it>PHO5 </it>promoter in the apparent absence of activators <it>in vivo </it>does not require Mediator. Notably, the epigenetic inheritance of the nucleosome-depleted <it>PHO5 </it>promoter through DNA replication does not require ongoing transcription.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results suggest that there may be a memory or an epigenetic mark on the nucleosome-depleted <it>PHO5 </it>promoter that is independent of the transcription apparatus and maintains the promoter in a nucleosome-depleted state through DNA replication.</p>