Efficient maintenance of chromatin structure during passage of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) is critical for cell survival and functioning. Moderate-level transcription of eukaryotic genes by Pol II is accompanied by nucleosome survival, extensive exchange of histones H2A/H2B and minimal exchange of histones H3/H4. Complementary in vitro studies have shown that transcription through chromatin by single Pol II complexes is uniquely coupled with nucleosome survival via formation of a small intranucleosomal DNA loop (Ø-loop) containing the transcribing enzyme. In contrast, transient displacement and exchange of all core histones are observed during intense transcription. Indeed, multiple transcribing Pol II complexes can efficiently overcome the high nucleosomal barrier and displace the entire histone octamer in vitro. Thus, various Pol II complexes can remodel chromatin to different extents. The mechanisms of nucleosome survival and displacement during transcription and the role of DNA-histone interactions and various factors during this process are discussed. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: RNA polymerase II Transcript Elongation.
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