Long-range chromosomal interactions regulate the timing of the transition between poised and active gene expression

Douglas Vernimmen, Marco De Gobbi, Jacqueline A Sloane-Stanley, William G Wood, Douglas R Higgs

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

To understand how mammalian genes are regulated from their natural chromosomal environment, we have analysed the molecular events occurring throughout a 150 kb chromatin segment containing the alpha globin gene locus as it changes from a poised, silent state in erythroid progenitors, to the fully activated state in late, erythroid cells. Active transcription requires the late recruitment of general transcription factors, mediator and Pol II not only to the promoter but also to its remote regulatory elements. Natural mutants of the alpha cluster show that whereas recruitment of the pre-initiation complex to the upstream elements occurs independently, recruitment to the promoter is largely dependent on the regulatory elements. An improved, quantitative chromosome conformation capture analysis demonstrates that this recruitment is associated with a conformational change, in vivo, apposing the promoter with its remote regulators, consistent with a chromosome looping mechanism. These findings point to a general mechanism by which a gene can be held in a poised state until the appropriate stage for expression, coordinating the level and timing of gene expression during terminal differentiation.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2041-51
Number of pages11
JournalEMBO Journal
Volume26
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2007

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • erythropoiesis
  • globin
  • pre-initiation complex
  • RNA Pol II
  • transcription regulation

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