The budding yeast Fkh1 Forkhead associated (FHA) domain promotes a G1-chromatin state and the activity of chromosomal DNA replication origins.

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the forkhead (Fkh) transcription factor Fkh1 (forkhead homolog) enhances the activity of many DNA replication origins that act in early S-phase (early origins). Current models posit that Fkh1 acts directly to promote these origins' activity by binding to origin-adjacent Fkh1 binding sites (FKH sites). However, the post-DNA binding functions that Fkh1 uses to promote early origin activity are poorly understood.

The budding yeast Fkh1 Forkhead associated (FHA) domain promoted a G1-chromatin state and the activity of chromosomal DNA replication origins.

In , the forkhead (Fkh) transcription factor Fkh1 (forkhead homolog) enhances the activity of many DNA replication origins that act in early S-phase (early origins). Current models posit that Fkh1 acts directly to promote these origins' activity by binding to origin-adjacent Fkh1 binding sites (FKH sites). However, the post-DNA binding functions that Fkh1 uses to promote early origin activity are poorly understood.

DNA mimic foldamers affect chromatin composition and disturb cell cycle progression.

The use of synthetic chemicals to selectively interfere with chromatin and the chromatin-bound proteome represents a great opportunity for pharmacological intervention. Recently, synthetic foldamers that mimic the charge surface of double-stranded DNA have been shown to interfere with selected protein-DNA interactions. However, to better understand their pharmacological potential and to improve their specificity and selectivity, the effect of these molecules on complex chromatin needs to be investigated.

Establishment and function of chromatin organization at replication origins.

The origin recognition complex (ORC) is essential for initiation of eukaryotic chromosome replication as it loads the replicative helicase-the minichromosome maintenance (MCM) complex-at replication origins. Replication origins display a stereotypic nucleosome organization with nucleosome depletion at ORC-binding sites and flanking arrays of regularly spaced nucleosomes. However, how this nucleosome organization is established and whether this organization is required for replication remain unknown.

The fork protection complex recruits FACT to reorganize nucleosomes during replication.

Chromosome replication depends on efficient removal of nucleosomes by accessory factors to ensure rapid access to genomic information. Here, we show this process requires recruitment of the nucleosome reorganization activity of the histone chaperone FACT. Using single-molecule FRET, we demonstrate that reorganization of nucleosomal DNA by FACT requires coordinated engagement by the middle and C-terminal domains of Spt16 and Pob3 but does not require the N-terminus of Spt16.

A CDK-regulated chromatin segregase promoting chromosome replication.

The replication of chromosomes during S phase is critical for cellular and organismal function. Replicative stress can result in genome instability, which is a major driver of cancer. Yet how chromatin is made accessible during eukaryotic DNA synthesis is poorly understood.

Anaerobic biodegradability of water separated from extracted crude oil.

A study of the anaerobic biodegradability of the three categories of water separated from extracted crude oil (Venezuelan oilfields)--light, medium or heavy crude--was carried out at laboratory scale using UASB reactors working at mesophilic conditions. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal in a low loaded UASB reactor fed with water separated from extracted light crude was high, with an average 87% purification efficiency. The remaining COD was made up of the nonbiodegradable and the very slowly biodegradable fractions of the organic matter in the water.