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EPIGENOMICS

Chromatin openness requires continuous SWI/SNF activity

Nature Genetics volume 53, pages 263–264 (2021)Cite this article

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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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Fig. 1: SWI/SNF activity is needed to maintain accessible chromatin.

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  1. Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA

    Diana C. Hargreaves

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  1. Diana C. Hargreaves
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Correspondence to Diana C. Hargreaves.

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The author declares no competing interests.

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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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