Table of contents

1. Introduction to Genetics51m
2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
8. DNA Replication1h 10m
9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
10. Transcription1h 0m
11. Translation58m
12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
14. Genetic Control of Development44m
15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
16. Transposable Elements47m
17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- Genetic Cloning
  9m
- Methods for Analyzing DNA
  9m
19. Cancer Genetics29m
- Overview of Cancer
  21m
- Cancer Mutations
  7m
20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
21. Population Genetics50m
- Hardy Weinberg
  19m
- Allelic Frequency Changes
  31m
22. Evolutionary Genetics29m

13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes

Epigenetics, Chromatin Modifications, and Regulation

Genetics

13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes

Epigenetics, Chromatin Modifications, and Regulation

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0:34 minutes

Problem 4

Textbook Question

Provide a definition of chromatin remodeling, and give two examples of this phenomenon.

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Define chromatin remodeling as the dynamic modification of chromatin architecture to allow access of condensed genomic DNA to the regulatory transcription machinery proteins, thereby controlling gene expression.

Explain that chromatin remodeling involves changes such as repositioning, ejecting, or restructuring nucleosomes, which are the basic units of chromatin composed of DNA wrapped around histone proteins.

Describe the two main types of chromatin remodeling mechanisms: ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes and covalent histone modifications.

Provide the first example: the SWI/SNF complex, an ATP-dependent chromatin remodeler that uses energy from ATP hydrolysis to slide or eject nucleosomes, facilitating transcription factor access to DNA.

Provide the second example: histone acetylation by histone acetyltransferases (HATs), which adds acetyl groups to histone tails, reducing their positive charge and loosening DNA-histone interactions to promote gene expression.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Chromatin Structure

Chromatin is the complex of DNA and proteins, mainly histones, that package DNA into a compact, organized form within the nucleus. Its structure regulates gene accessibility, influencing gene expression by controlling how tightly or loosely DNA is wound around histones.

Chromatin Remodeling

Chromatin remodeling refers to dynamic modifications of chromatin architecture that alter DNA accessibility without changing the DNA sequence. This process enables or restricts the binding of transcription factors and other proteins, thereby regulating gene expression.

Examples of Chromatin Remodeling

Two common examples of chromatin remodeling include histone modification (such as acetylation or methylation) and ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes that reposition nucleosomes. These changes can activate or repress gene transcription by altering chromatin accessibility.