FACT Facilitates Transcription-Dependent Nucleosome Alteration

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1085703
• Publication Date: 2003-08-21T20:01:54Z
• Authors: Rimma Belotserkov...; Sangtaek Oh; Vladimir A. Bonda...; George Orphanides; Vasily M. Studitsky; Danny Reinberg
• Keywords: RNA polymerase II; Transcription; Histone code; Histone Methylation

The FACT (facilitates chromatin transcription) complex is required for transcript elongation through nucleosomes by RNA polymerase II (Pol II) in vitro. Here, we show that facilitates Pol II-driven transcription destabilizing nucleosomal structure so one histone H2A-H2B dimer removed during enzyme passage. We also demonstrate possesses intrinsic chaperone activity and can deposit core histones onto DNA. Importantly, requires both of its constituent subunits dependent on the highly acidic C terminus larger subunit, Spt16. These findings define mechanism which transcribe without disrupting epigenetic status.