Competition between transcription complex assembly and chromatin assembly on replicating DNA
Almouzni, G.; Méchali, M.; Wolffe, A.P.
EMBO Journal 9(2): 573-582
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0261-4189 PMID: 2303043 Document Number: 367074
We have used a Xenopus egg extract to show that a competition exists between the assembly of transcription complexes and nucleosomes on replicating 5S DNA. This competition results in the establishment of a transcriptionally repressed state for 5S DNA that is dependent on core histones but not on the precise positioning of the cores. The repression is selective, since satellite I DNA is not significantly repressed under these conditions. We demonstrate that the efficiency of chromatin assembly is compared with transcription complex assembly an important variable in determining gene activity.