Megadalton chromatin remodelers: common principles for versatile functions. (October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jungblut, Anna; Hopfner, Karl-Peter; Eustermann, Sebastian
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in structural biology. Volume 64(2020)
• Page Start: 134
• Page End: 144
• Publication Date: 2020-10
• Subjects: Molecular biology -- Periodicals; 570
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2020.06.024
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-440X

Abstract

Highlights: cryo-EM structures of all four families of ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers. A common architecture of multi-subunit remodelers. A unified motor, rotor, stator and grip mechanism for large scale nucleosome reconfigurations. A molecular function of nuclear actin for allosteric regulation of remodelers. Abstract : ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers are enigmatic macromolecular machines that govern the arrangement and composition of nucleosomes across eukaryotic genomes. Here, we review the recent breakthrough provided by cryo-electron microscopy that reveal the first high-resolution insights into all four families of remodelers. We highlight the emerging structural and mechanistic principles with a particular focus on multi-subunit SWI/SNF and INO80/SWR1 complexes. A conserved architecture comprising a motor, rotor, stator and grip suggests a unifying mechanism for how stepwise DNA translocation enables large scale reconfigurations of nucleosomes. A molecular circuitry involving the nuclear actin containing module establishes a framework for understanding allosteric regulation. Remodelers emerge as programable hubs that enable differential processing of genetic and epigenetic information in response to the physiological state of a cell.