A novel chromatin-remodeling complex variant, dcPBAF, is involved in maintaining transcription in differentiated neurons

Abstract

The Polybromo-associated BAF (BRG1- or BRM-associated factors) (PBAF) chromatin-remodeling complex is essential for transcription in mammalian cells. In this study, we describe a novel variant of the PBAF complex from differentiated neuronal cells, called dcPBAF, that differs from the canonical PBAF existing in proliferating neuroblasts. We describe that in differentiated adult neurons, a specific subunit of PBAF, PHF10, is replaced by a PHF10 isoform that lacks N- and C-terminal domains (called PHF10D). In addition, dcPBAF does not contain the canonical BRD7 subunit. dcPBAF binds promoters of the actively transcribed neuron-specific and housekeeping genes in terminally differentiated neurons of adult mice. Furthermore, in differentiated human neuronal cells, PHF10D-containing dcPBAF maintains a high transcriptional level at several neuron-specific genes.

Targeting SWI/SNF Complexes in Cancer: Pharmacological Approaches and Implications

“…Distinct SWI/SNF complexes have been purified from mammalian cells and designated as canonical (c)BAF, non-canonical (nc) BAF, or PBAF depending on the identity of the catalytic subunit and BAF composition [3][4][5][6][7][8][9] (Figure 1). In addition, mammalian complexes can vary in composition and in a cell-specific manner [10,11]. SWI/SNF remodels chromatin structures by using the energy from ATP hydrolysis.…”