Maintenance of Stable Heterochromatin Domains by Dynamic HP1 Binding

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1078572
• Publication Date: 2003-01-30T21:37:47Z
• Authors: Thierry Cheutin; Adrian J. McNairn; Thomas Jenuwein; David M. Gilbert; Prim B. Singh; Tom Misteli
• Keywords: Heterochromatin protein 1; Chromodomain; Euchromatin

One function of heterochromatin is the epigenetic silencing by sequestration genes into transcriptionally repressed nuclear neighborhoods. Heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) a major component and thus candidate for establishing maintaining repressive structure. Here we demonstrate that maintenance stable domains in living cells involves transient binding dynamic exchange HP1 from chromatin. kinetics correlate with condensation level chromatin are dependent on histone methyltransferase Suv39h. The chromodomain chromoshadow domain both required to native vivo, but they contribute differentially euchromatin heterochromatin. These data argue against repression transcription formation static, higher order oligomeric networks support competition model, accessible regulatory factors.