Genome-wide analysis reveals coating of the mitochondrial genome by TFAM

PLoS One. 2013 Aug 26;8(8):e74513. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0074513. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

Mitochondria contain a 16.6 kb circular genome encoding 13 proteins as well as mitochondrial tRNAs and rRNAs. Copies of the genome are organized into nucleoids containing both DNA and proteins, including the machinery required for mtDNA replication and transcription. The transcription factor TFAM is critical for initiation of transcription and replication of the genome, and is also thought to perform a packaging function. Although specific binding sites required for initiation of transcription have been identified in the D-loop, little is known about the characteristics of TFAM binding in its nonspecific packaging state. In addition, it is unclear whether TFAM also plays a role in the regulation of nuclear gene expression. Here we investigate these questions by using ChIP-seq to directly localize TFAM binding to DNA in human cells. Our results demonstrate that TFAM uniformly coats the whole mitochondrial genome, with no evidence of robust TFAM binding to the nuclear genome. Our study represents the first high-resolution assessment of TFAM binding on a genome-wide scale in human cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Nucleus / genetics
  • Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / immunology
  • Genome, Human*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / genetics*
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / immunology
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / immunology

Substances

  • DNA, Mitochondrial
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • TFAM protein, human
  • Transcription Factors