Alteration of the structure and function of rat liver chromatin by nutritional factors
1980
Castro, Carmen Elizabeth | Sevall, J. Sanders
Diet-induced alteration of chromatin structure may regulate gene expression by molecular mechanisms that control cytoplasmic levels of messenger RNAs, which in turn regulate protein synthesis. This could occur either at the level of transcription or in post-transcriptional events. The rat liver represents a system for investigating the influence of nutritional factors on chromatin. Structural components of rat liver chromatin, including DNA, histone proteins and non-histone proteins, appear to be influenced by nutritional intake. Caloric restriction, the quantity and quality of dietary protein, and nutrient deficiencies affect synthesis, protein biosynthesis and nucleoprotein turnover. The percent of DNA susceptible to nuclease digestion and the ultraviolet absorption by chromatin vary as a function of diet. Differences in messenger RNA transcripts and template activities are observed in varied nutritional states. Thus, nutrition may be capable of regulating genetic expression of specific gene products.
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