Mechanisms for Remodelling Chromatin. (360G-Wellcome-095062_Z_10_Z)

All eukaryotes have developed an assortment of different strategies by which chromatin structure can be altered. We aim to gain insight into this fundamental process with special emphasis on the action of Snf2 related chromatin remodelling enzymes. Specific areas of interest include: 1) The structure and mechanism of action of Snf2 related enzymes. We aim to build a structural model for an intact remodelling enzyme and to establish how this interacts with nucleosomes. The experimental approa ches we use will then be directed at understanding how energy derived from ATP hydrolysis is converted into structural changes in chromatin. With the aim of providing insight into the diverse functions of Snf2 related proteins, we will study the structure and mechanism of a carefully selected subset of these enzymes. 2) The functions of ATP-dependent chromatin remodelling enzymes. In order to understand how the alterations to chromatin structure directed by these enzymes are used by cells it is important to gain insight into the biological pathways in which they are involved. One of the strategies we will adopt will be the application of genomics to catalogue the genes different enzymes interact with and the nature of the chromatin alterations they direct.