Rap1p and other transcriptional regulators can function in defining distinct domains of gene expression

Qun Yu, Runxiang Qiu, Travis B. Foland, Dan Griesen, Carl S. Galloway, Ya Hui Chiu, Joseph Sandmeier, James R. Broach, Xin Bi

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

Barrier elements that are able to block the propagation of transcriptional silencing in yeast are functionally similar to chromatin boundary/insulator elements in metazoans that delimit functional chromosomal domains. We show that the upstream activating sequences of many highly expressed ribosome protein genes and glycolytic genes exhibit barrier activity. Analyses of these barriers indicate that binding sites for transcriptional regulators Rap1p, Abf1p, Reb1p, Adr1p and Gcn4p may participate in barrier function. We also present evidence suggesting that Rap1p is directly involved in barrier activity, and its barrier function correlates with local changes in chromatin structure. We further demonstrate that tethering the transcriptional activation domain of Rap1p to DNA is sufficient to recapitulate barrier activity. Moreover, targeting the activation domain of Adr1p or Gcn4p also establishes a barrier to silencing. These results support the notion that transcriptional regulators could also participate in delimiting functional domains in the genome.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1224-1233
Number of pages10
JournalNucleic acids research
Volume31
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 15 2003

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Genetics

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