The Role of the B-WICH Complex in Chromatin Structure and rRNA Gene Transcription
Author Information
Author(s): Anna Vintermist, Stefanie Böhm, Fatemeh Sadeghifar, Emilie Louvet, Anethe Mansén, Pergiorgio Percipalle, Ann-Kristin Östlund Farrants
Primary Institution: Department of Cell Biology, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
Hypothesis
The B-WICH complex remodels chromatin structure at actively transcribed rRNA genes and facilitates the recruitment of histone acetyl-transferases.
Conclusion
The B-WICH complex is essential for maintaining an open chromatin structure at rRNA promoters, which is necessary for effective transcription.
Supporting Evidence
- The B-WICH complex is required for the recruitment of specific histone acetyl-transferases to the rRNA promoter.
- WSTF knock down leads to a compaction of the chromatin structure over the rRNA promoter.
- Reduced levels of acetylated histones were observed in WSTF knock down cells.
- The B-WICH complex associates with active rDNA and is involved in RNA polymerase I transcription.
- Histone modifications at the rRNA genes are influenced by the B-WICH complex.
Takeaway
The B-WICH complex helps keep the DNA in a form that allows it to be read and used by the cell to make important molecules.
Methodology
The study used chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and DNase I sensitivity assays to analyze the binding of proteins and the chromatin structure at rRNA gene promoters.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0007
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website