A defined locus control region determinant links chromatin domain acetylation with long-range gene activation

Mol Cell. 2002 Feb;9(2):291-302. doi: 10.1016/s1097-2765(02)00447-1.

Abstract

Gene activation in higher eukaryotes is often under the control of regulatory elements quite distant from their target promoters. It is unclear how such long-range control is mediated. Here we show that a single determinant of the human growth hormone locus control region (hGH LCR) located 14.5 kb 5prime prime or minute to the hGH-N promoter has a critical, specific, and nonredundant role in facilitating promoter trans factor binding and activating hGH-N transcription. Significantly, this same determinant plays an essential role in establishing a 32 kb acetylated domain that encompasses the entire hGH LCR and the contiguous hGH-N promoter. These data support a model for long-range gene activation via LCR-mediated targeting and extensive spreading of core histone acetylation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acetylation
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Chromatin / genetics
  • Chromatin / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics*
  • Histones / metabolism*
  • Human Growth Hormone / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Locus Control Region / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Organ Specificity
  • Pituitary Gland, Anterior / metabolism
  • Pregnancy
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational*
  • Sequence Deletion
  • Transcription Factor Pit-1
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Transcriptional Activation
  • Transgenes
  • Trophoblasts / metabolism

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Histones
  • POU1F1 protein, human
  • Pit1 protein, mouse
  • Transcription Factor Pit-1
  • Transcription Factors
  • Human Growth Hormone