Presentation description

Chromatin dynamics contribute to defining cellular identity and regulating gene expression. The fundamental unit of chromatin, nucleosomes, consist of DNA wrapped around histone proteins. An essential part of chromatin dynamics is the unwrapping of nucleosomes increasing DNA accessibility and the rewrapping of nucleosomes decreasing DNA accessibility to regulatory factors. In eukaryotes, chromatin remodelers of the SWI/SNF family are protein complexes that alter DNA accessibility by moving or ejecting nucleosomes. In humans, these chromatin remodelers are named BAF complexes. Dysregulation of chromatin remodelers can cause inaccurate gene expression through abnormal DNA access and can play a critical part in the development of cancer. We hypothesize that transcription factors contribute to regulation of BAF remodeling activities. We aim to test remodeling activities of the BAF complexes in the presence of various transcription factors. The first step of the project involves the cloning, production and purification of specific recombinant transcription factors in human Expi 293 cells.