Roles and activities of chromatin remodeling ATPases in plants

Abstract

Chromatin remodeling ATPases and their associated complexes can alter the accessibility of the genome in the context of chromatin by using energy derived from the hydrolysis of ATP to change the positioning, occupancy and composition of nucleosomes. In animals and plants, these remodelers have been implicated in diverse processes ranging from stem cell maintenance and differentiation to developmental phase transitions and stress responses. Detailed investigation of their roles in individual processes has suggested a higher level of selectivity of chromatin remodeling ATPase activity than previously anticipated, and diverse mechanisms have been uncovered that can contribute to the selectivity. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the roles and activities of chromatin remodeling ATPases in plants.

Keywords: CHD3 subgroup chromatin remodeling ATPases; SWItch/Sucrose Non Fermentable (SWI/SNF) subgroup chromatin remodeling ATPases; developmental phase transitions; stem cell maintenance and differentiation; stress response and growth.