Project name: Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Description: The Saccharomyces cerevisiae protein Nhp6A is a model for the abundant and multifunctional HMGB family of chromatin-associated proteins. Nhp6A binds DNA in vitro without sequence-specificity and bends DNA sharply, but its role in chromosome biology is poorly understood. We show by whole genome ChIP-chip that Nhp6A is localized to specific regions of chromosomes that include about 23% of RNA polymerase II promoters. Nhp6A binding functions to stabilize positioned nucleosomes within promoter and 5' coding regions of these genes. Both genomic binding and transcript expression studies point to functionally-related groups of genes that are specifically bound by Nhp6A and whose transcription is altered by the absence of Nhp6. Genomic analyses of Nhp6A mutants specifically defective in DNA bending reveals a critical role of DNA bending for co-regulation of transcription but not for targeted binding by Nhp6A.Overall design: Nhp6A (WT and point mutants) were ChIPed using a polyclonal antibody. Histone H3 was ChIPed using a commercially available antibody. IP experiments were compared to two sonicated, crosslinked chromatin samples (Input).

Data type: Epigenomics

Sample scope: Multiisolate

Relevance: ModelOrganism

Release date: 2010-09-15

Last updated: 2010-08-12