The microphthalmia-associated transcription factor requires SWI/SNF enzymes to activate melanocyte-specific genes.

The Microphthalmia-associated Transcription Factor (mitf) Requires Swi/snf Enzymes to Activate Melanocyte Specific Genes

BRG1 promotes survival of UV-irradiated melanoma cells by cooperating with MITF to activate the melanoma inhibitor of apoptosis gene

Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) is a survival factor in melanocytes and melanoma cells. MITF regulates expression of antiapoptotic genes and promotes lineage-specific survival in response to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and to chemotherapeutics. SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling enzymes interact with MITF to regulate MITF target gene expression. We determined that the catalytic s...

Extracellular matrix-regulated gene expression requires cooperation of SWI/SNF and transcription factors.

Extracellular cues play crucial roles in the transcriptional regulation of tissue-specific genes, but whether and how these signals lead to chromatin remodeling is not understood and subject to debate. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays and mammary-specific genes as models, we show here that extracellular matrix molecules and prolactin cooperate to induce histone acetylation and binding...

SWI/SNF Enzymes Promote SOX10- Mediated Activation of Myelin Gene Expression

SOX10 is a Sry-related high mobility (HMG)-box transcriptional regulator that promotes differentiation of neural crest precursors into Schwann cells, oligodendrocytes, and melanocytes. Myelin, formed by Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system, is essential for propagation of nerve impulses. SWI/SNF complexes are ATP dependent chromatin remodeling enzymes that are critical for cellular di...

MITF-Independent Pro-Survival Role of BRG1-Containing SWI/SNF Complex in Melanoma Cells

Metastasized malignant melanoma has a poor prognosis because of its intrinsic resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The central role in the melanoma transcriptional network has the transcription factor MITF (microphthalmia-associated transcription factor). It has been shown recently that the expression of MITF and some of its target genes require the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex....