Regulation of chromatin organization and inducible gene expression by a Drosophila insulator

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Ashley M. Wood, Emory University; Kevin Van Bortle, Emory University; Edward Ramos, Emory University; Naomi Takenaka, Emory University; Margaret Rohrbaugh, Emory University; Brian C. Jones, Emory University; Keith C. Jones, Emory University; Victor Corces, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2011-10-07
• Publisher: Elsevier (Cell Press): 12 month embargo
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommerical-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.molcel.2011.07.035
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Molecular Cell
• ISSN: 1097-2765
• Volume: 44
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 29
• End Page: 38
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported by U.S. Public Health Service Award GM35463 from the National Institutes of Health.
• Keywords: Chromatin; Epigenetics; Insulator; Transcription
• Research Categories: Chemistry, Biochemistry; Biology, Genetics

Abstract

Insulators are multi-protein-DNA complexes thought to affect gene expression by mediating inter- and intra-chromosomal interactions. Drosophila insulators contain specific DNA binding proteins plus common components, such as CP190, that facilitate these interactions. Here we examine changes in the distribution of Drosophila insulator proteins during the heat-shock and ecdysone responses. We find that CP190 recruitment to insulator sites is the main regulatable step in controlling insulator function during heat shock. In contrast, both CP190 and DNA binding protein recruitment are regulated during the ecdysone response. CP190 is necessary to stabilize specific chromatin loops and for proper activation of transcription of genes regulated by this hormone. These findings suggest that cells may regulate recruitment of insulator proteins to the DNA in order to activate insulator activity at specific sites and create distinct patterns of nuclear organization that are necessary to achieve proper gene expression in response to different stimuli.