Mechanisms for Nucleosome Movement by ATP-dependent Chromatin Remodeling Complexes

Chromatin remodeling complexes (remodelers) are a set of diverse multi-protein machines that reposition and restructure nucleosomes. Remodelers are specialized, containing unique proteins that assist in targeting, interaction with modified nucleosomes, and performing specific chromatin tasks. However, all remodelers contain an ATPase domain that is highly similar to known DNA translocases/helicases, suggesting that DNA translocation is a property common to all remodelers. Here we examine the different reactions they perform in vitro, focusing on the SWI/SNF and the ISWI complexes, and explore how DNA translocation might be utilized to execute various remodeling processes.