Chromatin structure, specifically sites of open or accessible chromatin, regulates transcription-factor binding, thereby determining cell-type-specific gene expression. Two new studies identify a constant requirement for SWI/SNF-complex remodeling to maintain open chromatin. In both studies, acute inhibition or degradation of the BRG1 or BRM ATPase subunits through chemical or genetic methods led to a loss of chromatin accessibility, in some cases affecting transcription-factor binding and altered gene expression.
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Acute depletion of BRG1 reveals its primary function as an activator of transcription
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Hargreaves, D.C. Chromatin openness requires continuous SWI/SNF activity. Nat Genet 53, 263–264 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-021-00781-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-021-00781-7
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Acute depletion of BRG1 reveals its primary function as an activator of transcription
Nature Communications (2024)