In eukaryotic cells, the large genomic DNA is packaged with histones and other proteins into chromatin. The best-studied level of chromatin organisation is the packaging of the DNA into nucleosome particles. Additional levels of folding are required to package the nucleosomal arrays into the higher order chromatin fibres that comprise the chromosomes. The compaction of the DNA provided by chromatin generally represses DNA-dependent processes such as the transcription of genes. Since both initiation and elongation of transcription by RNA polymerases are inhibited in the chromatin context, the packing and unpacking of the genomic DNA into chromatin represents an important level of gene regulation. Numerous non-histone proteins including architectural HMG proteins and transcript elongation factors contribute to the transient changes in chromatin structure that prime the nuclear DNA for transcription. Using Arabidopsis and maize as model systems, we examine how these chromatin factors are involved in gene expression, development and plant responses to changing environmental conditions. Towards these goals we employ approaches from the fields of molecular and cellular biology as well as biochemistry and genetics.

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Architectural chromosomal proteins

Transcript elongation factors