ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling: going mobile

Members of the ATP-dependent class of chromatin remodeling enzymes are found in all eukaryotes where they play key roles in many DNA-mediated processes. Each of these enzymes are multi-subunit assembles that hydrolyze approximately 1000 ATP/min. The energy of ATP hydrolysis is used to disrupt the chromatin structure which can be scored by enhanced factor binding, disruption of the DNase I cleavage pattern of mononucleosomes, formation of dinucleosomes, movements of histone octamers in cis and in trans, and by generation of nuclease hypersensitive sites. Here the biochemical properties of these enzymes are reviewed and the manner in which ATP-driven nucleosome movements might account for many of these diverse activities is discussed.