Snf2h-mediated chromatin organization and histone H1 dynamics govern cerebellar morphogenesis and neural maturation.

ABSTRACT: Chromatin compaction mediates progenitor to post-mitotic cell transitions and modulates gene expression programs, yet the mechanisms are poorly defined. Snf2h and Snf2l are ATP-dependent chromatin remodelling proteins that assemble, reposition and space nucleosomes, and are robustly expressed in the brain. Here we show that mice conditionally inactivated for Snf2h in neural progenitors have reduced levels of histone H1 and H2A variants that compromise chromatin fluidity and transcriptional programs within the developing cerebellum. Disorganized chromatin limits Purkinje and granule neuron progenitor expansion, resulting in abnormal post-natal foliation, while deregulated transcriptional programs contribute to altered neural maturation, motor dysfunction and death. However, mice survive to

SUBMITTER: Alvarez-Saavedra M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4083431 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature