Human ribosomal genes are located in NORs (nucleolar organizer regions) on the short arms of acrocentric chromosomes. During metaphase, previously active NORs appear as prominent chromosomal features termed secondary constrictions, which are achromatic in chromosome banding and positive in silver staining. The architectural RNA polymerase I transcription factor UBF (upstream binding factor) binds extensively across the ribosomal gene repeat throughout the cell cycle. Evidence that UBF underpins NOR structure is provided by an examination of cell lines in which large arrays of a heterologous UBF binding sequences are integrated at ectopic sites on human chromosomes. These arrays efficiently recruit UBF even to sites outside the nucleolus, and during metaphase form novel silver-stainable secondary constrictions, termed pseudo-NORs, that are morphologically similar to NORs.
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January 2006
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Conference Article|
January 01 2006
A role for upstream binding factor in organizing ribosomal gene chromatin
Jane E. Wright;
Jane E. Wright
1Biomedical Research Centre, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland, UK.
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Christine Mais;
Christine Mais
1Biomedical Research Centre, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland, UK.
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José-Luis Prieto;
José-Luis Prieto
1Biomedical Research Centre, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland, UK.
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Brian McStay
Brian McStay
1
1Biomedical Research Centre, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland, UK.
1To whom correspondence should be addressed (email [email protected]).
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Online ISSN: 1744-1439
Print ISSN: 0067-8694
© 2006 Biochemical Society
2006
Biochem Soc Symp (2006) 73: 77–84.
Citation
Stefan G.E. Roberts, Robert O.J. Weinzierl, Robert J. White, Jane E. Wright, Christine Mais, José-Luis Prieto, Brian McStay; A role for upstream binding factor in organizing ribosomal gene chromatin. Biochem Soc Symp 1 January 2006; 73 77–84. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/bss0730077
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