A Study Of The Binding Of RNA Polymerase II To Mononucleosomes

Abstract

In order to arrive at a basic understanding of the mechanism of gene expression in eukaryotic cells, one must first understand the structure and interaction of their components: the structure and conformation of DNA in active and inactive genes, the modification of histones, and the interaction of factors during transcription. Increased research has resulted in several important observations, such as that of the subunit of chromatin structure.^ Further research is underway to determine if this subunit of structure is the actual conformation of DNA in active genes, 2 and how it might be affected by histone modification. Ongoing efforts have produced a gradual increase in knowledge of how enzymes interact with non-histone proteins on chromatin.3 This is significant, as the knowledge gained relates to all the components necessary for the transcription of the eukaryotic genome. This paper will discuss experiments performed, and relate them to the overall framework of gene expression.