ISSN:
0730-2312
Keywords:
chromosome architecture
;
disassembly
;
reassembly
;
proteases
;
in vitro model
;
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Topoisomerase II has been suggested to play a major role in chromosome organization based on its DNA decatenating activity and its ability to mediate direct binding interactions between DNA and nuclear matrix. However, this latter point remains controversial. Here we address the question of whether the chromatin binding activity of Topoisomerase II is sufficient to modify chromosome form using whole mammalian chromosomes in vitro. Intact chromosomes were microsurgically removed from living cells and disassembled by treatment with protease or heparin. When these disassembled chromosomes were incubated with recombinant human Topoisomerase II, the enzyme became incorporated into chromatin and reassembly resulted, leading to almost complete restoration of pre-existing chromosome shape and position within minutes. Chromosome reconstituition by Topoisomerase II was dose-dependent, saturable, and appeared to be controlled stoichiometrically, rather than enzymatically. Similar reassembly was observed in the absence of ATP and when a catalytically inactive thermosensitive Topoisomerase II mutant was used at the restrictive temperature. Chromosome recondensation also could be induced after the strand-passing activity of Topoisomerase II was blocked by treatment with an inhibitor of its catalytic activity, amsacrine. When a non-hydrolyzable β,γ-imido analog of ATP (AMP-PNP) was used to physiologically fix bound Topoisomerase II enzyme in a closed form around DNA, subsequent chromosome disassembly was prevented in the presence of high salt. These data suggest that Topoisomerase II may control higher order chromatin architecture through direct binding interactions, independently of its well-known catalytic activity. J. Cell. Biochem. 69:127-142, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Additional Material:
10 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
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