Prior to induction, promoters tend to be depleted for nucleosomes, but the mechanism and function of this depletion has been obscure. It is now shown that in yeast, where a barrier can lead to phasing of nucleosomes, the degree of occupancy of these phased sites is predictably determined by the underlying DNA sequences; in addition, as occupancy is increased, nucleosomal removal upon induction is decreased, as is mRNA production.
- Xin Wang
- Gene O Bryant
- Mark Ptashne
