The Role of Chromatin Remodelers for Long-term Survival of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae in the Quiescent Phase
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Date
2019
Authors
Pledger, Erica Suzuki
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Chromatin remodelers are a group of enzymes that catalyze the movement of nucleosomes in order to allow other biomolecules access to DNA during processes such as transcription, replication, and DNA repair. Previous studies revealed that Chd1 and Isw1 chromatin remodelers in Saccharomyces cerevisiae are necessary for establishing regular nucleosome organization. In the absence of Chd1 and Isw1, a regular pattern of nucleosome positioning is abolished. However, the loss of nucleosome organization has surprisingly little effect on genome-wide transcription or on viability. Here, we test the hypothesis that nucleosome organization may have a more vital function during processes that require global alterations in transcription, such as quiescence. Yeast cells respond to low nutrient conditions by entering the quiescent phase, during which they exhibit significant decreases in transcriptional, translational, and metabolic activity. We isolated quiescent cells of chromatin remodeler knockout strains and monitored their survival in nutrient-starved conditions. Our results indicate that long-term viability in the quiescent phase is significantly reduced in strains lacking Chd1, Isw1, and Isw2, thus suggesting a role for chromatin remodelers during quiescence.
Description
27 pages
Keywords
Biochemistry, Qulescence, Chromatin, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Nucleosome, Biochemistry