Nucleosome remodeling induced by RNA polymerase II: Loss of the H2A/H2B dimer during transcription

Maria L. Kireeva, Wendy Walter, Vladimir Tchernajenko, Vladimir Bondarenko, Mikhail Kashlev, Vasily M. Studitsky

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

372 Scopus citations

Abstract

RNA polymerase II (Pol II) must transcribe genes in a chromatin environment in vivo. We examined transcription by Pol II through nucleosome cores in vitro. At physiological and lower ionic strengths, a mononucleosome imposes a strong block to elongation, which is relieved at increased ionic strength. Passage of Pol II causes a quantitative loss of one H2A/H2B dimer but does not alter the location of the nucleosome. In contrast, bacteriophage SP6 RNA polymerase (RNAP) efficiently transcribes through the same nucleosome under physiological conditions, and the histone octamer is transferred behind SP6 RNAP. Thus, the mechanisms for transcription through the nucleosome by Pol II and SP6 RNAP are clearly different. Moreover, Pol II leaves behind an imprint of disrupted chromatin structure.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)541-552
Number of pages12
JournalMolecular Cell
Volume9
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002

Keywords

  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases/metabolism
  • Dimerization
  • Histones/metabolism
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Models, Genetic
  • Nucleosomes/metabolism
  • Oligonucleotides/genetics
  • RNA Polymerase II/metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic/physiology

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