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Genes expressed in cortical neurons-chromatin conformation and DNase I hypersensitive sites

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Abstract

DNase I sensitivity experiments were performed utilizing DNA probes to genes which are either transcribed in rat cortical neurons (the 68 kDa neurofilament gene and the neuron-specific enolass gene) or are transcriptionally silent (albumin). Results suggest that unlike liver, in which a hierarchy in chromatin conformation exists between transcribed and nontranscribed genes, the majority of protein coding sequences in cortical neurons may be relatively sensitive to nuclease digestion. This supports our previous observation of an increased DNase I sensitivity of total chromatin in cortical neurons. Nuclease sensitivity experiments also revealed the presence of brain-specific DNase I hypersensitive sites associated with the two neuron-specific genes.

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Abbreviations

bp:

base pairs

EDTA:

ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid

EGTA:

ethyleneglycol-bis(β-amino-ethylether)N

N′:

tetra-acetic acid

IAA:

isoamyl alcohol

kb:

kilobase

kDa:

kilodalton

PMSF:

phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus, MIC 1A4, West Hill, Ontario, Canada

    Tina R. Ivanov & Ian R. Brown

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  1. Tina R. Ivanov
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  2. Ian R. Brown
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Ivanov, T.R., Brown, I.R. Genes expressed in cortical neurons-chromatin conformation and DNase I hypersensitive sites. Neurochem Res 14, 129–137 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00969627

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