Collaboration through chromatin: motors of transcription and chromatin structure

Packaging of the eukaryotic genome into chromatin places fundamental physical constraints on transcription. Clarifying how transcription operates within these constraints is essential to understand how eukaryotic gene expression programs are established and maintained. Here we review what is known about the mechanisms of transcription on chromatin templates. Current models indicate that transcription through chromatin is accomplished by the combination of an inherent nucleosome disrupting activity of RNA polymerase and the action of ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling motors. Collaboration between these two types of molecular motors is proposed to occur at all stages of transcription through diverse mechanisms. Further investigation of how these two motors combine their basic activities is essential to clarify the interdependent relationship between genome structure and transcription. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The review focuses on the mechanisms of transcription on chromatin templates, proposing that transcription is accomplished by the collaborative activities of RNA polymerase's nucleosome disrupting activity and ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling motors. Further investigation into how these two motors combine their basic activities is essential in clarifying the interdependent relationship between genome structure and transcription.