Genome-wide Mapping of the Nucleosome Landscape by Micrococcal Nuclease and Chemical Mapping

Trends Genet. 2017 Aug;33(8):495-507. doi: 10.1016/j.tig.2017.05.007. Epub 2017 Jul 7.

Abstract

Nucleosomes regulate the transcription output of the genome by occluding the underlying DNA sequences from DNA-binding proteins that must act on it. Knowledge of the precise locations of nucleosomes in the genome is thus essential towards understanding how transcription is regulated. Current nucleosome-mapping strategies involve digesting chromatin with nucleases or chemical cleavage followed by high-throughput sequencing. In this review, we compare the traditional micrococcal nuclease (MNase)-based approach with a chemical cleavage strategy, with discussion on the important insights each has uncovered about the role of nucleosomes in shaping transcriptional processes.

Keywords: MNase; chemical mapping; chromatin; nucleosomes; transcriptional regulation.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chromosome Mapping / methods*
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
  • Mice
  • Micrococcal Nuclease / genetics*
  • Nucleosomes / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Nucleosomes
  • Micrococcal Nuclease