CHD chromatin remodelers and the transcription cycle

Abstract

It is well established that ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers modulate DNA access of transcription factors and RNA polymerases by "opening" or "closing" chromatin structure. However, this view is far too simplistic. Recent findings have demonstrated that these enzymes not only set the stage for the transcription machinery to act but are actively involved at every step of the transcription process. As a consequence, they affect initiation, elongation, termination and RNA processing. In this review we will use the CHD family as a paradigm to illustrate the progress that has been made in revealing these new concepts.

Figure 1

CHD remodelers at various steps of transcription cycle. Summary of different studies indicating involvement of CHD remodelers at different stages of active transcription (initiation, elongation, termination). TSS, transcription start site; Stop; transcription stop signal (see text for details).