PBAP chromatin remodeler mediates enhancer-driven transcription in Drosophila

Chromatin remodeler SWI/SNF is an important participant of gene activation acting predominantly by opening chromatin structure on promoters and enhancers. Here we describe its novel mode of action by mediating targeted action of enhancer. We studied functions of two signature subunits of PBAP subfamily,BAP170 and SAYP, in Drosophila. These subunits were stably tethered onto transgene reporter carrying hsp70 core promoter. Tethered subunits mediate transcription of reporter in a pattern prescribed by nearby enhancer in multiple loci throughout the genome, where the reporter construct was located. Both tethered SAYP and BAP170 recruit the whole PBAP complex onto reporter promoter. Studying difference between these subunits, we found that BAP170-dependent transcription is more resistant to depletion of other PBAP subunits, what may imply the principal role of BAP170 in establishing enhancer-dependent transcription.