Evidence for the nucleosome-disruption process regulated by phosphorylation of 120 kDa protein complex in Drosophila embryo cell-free system

Using cell-free system derived from Drosophila embryos, we found evidence for a regulated nucleosome disruption process, which depends on the phosphorylation status of 120 kDa protein (complex). Dephosphorylation enables the remodeling activity to destabilize nucleosomes, which assume a more accessible structure, possessing increased DNase I sensitivity and high conformational flexibility of DNA; remodeling was more efficient on highly acetylated chromatin templates. This phosphorylation-regulated nucleosome destabilization, acting synergistically with histone acetylation, is discussed as a possible mechanism to provide regulated disrupt of histone-DNA interaction.