p53 Chromatin Epigenetic Domain Organization and p53 Transcription
Authors: Yih-Jyh Shann
Ming-Ta Hsu
Chia-Hsin Su
Journal: Molecular and Cellular Biology (2009)
Discipline: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS
Keywords: Epigenetic organization; gene expression regulation; p53 gene; epigenetic domains; histone modifications
Affiliations: Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Science, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China., Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Science, Genome Research Center, National Yang Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan, Republic of China, Chien-Tien Hsu Cancer Research Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China

Abstract:  Epigenetic organization represents an important regulation mechanism of gene expression. In this work, we show that the mouse p53 gene is organized into two epigenetic domains. The first domain is fully unmethylated, associated with histone modifications in active genes, and organized in a nucleosome-free conformation that is deficient in H2a/H2b, whereas the second domain is fully methylated, associated with deacetylated histones, and organized in a nucleosomal structure. In mitotic cells, RNA polymerase is depleted in domain II, which is folded into a higher-order structure and is associated with H1 histone, whereas domain I conformation is preserved. Similar results were obtained for cells treated with inhibitors of associated regulatory factors. These results suggest that depletion of RNA polymerase II is the result of a physical barrier due to the folding of chromatin in domain II. The novel chromatin structure in the first domain during mitosis also suggests a mechanism for marking active genes in successive cell cycles. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 In this article, authors said that no need of Senegalese ethics committee for study on stools in children. Only french ethics committee has been provided under accession number 09-022, 2010. This Ethics Committee is attached to the Coroner service (Mu00e9decine Lu00e9gale in French). It is not a certified IRB in France (also known as Comitu00e9 de Protection des Personnes (CPP)) I also seems that Professor Diallo who certify there is no need of senegalese Ethics committee, is also an author of the article. Can an author certify himself there is no need for Ethics committee ? This is really unusual. However, in another study, also in children and also collecting stools, 2 of the same authors mentioned that Senegalese ethics committee was involved for this other study. And Parents participants signed an informed consents. This other study was also done in the same senegalese village (Dielmo) and the publication provide the same agreement number (09-022) from the same french local ethics committee (IFR 48). ![Image] [Source: Non-contiguous finished genome sequence and description of Anaerococcus senegalensis sp. nov. ] According to the Senegalese law, ALL biomedical studies must be approved by the National Ethics Committee before to be performed. Senegalese National Ethics Committee is also know as CNERS (article 8 of Senegalese law). [Senegalese Law on Biomedical Research - March 9th ,2009 - French version](http: www.jo.gouv.sn spip.php?article7557) This is also confirmed by the Brochure for Researchers written by CNERS. CNERS specify that a national ethics committee approval is required for all biomedical studies. Even when the study is a low interventional studies, it can not be submitted to CNERS under a simplified procedure when children are involved. ![Image] Please also note that even for a biobank of stools, collected in Senegal and send overseas, Senegal National Ethics Committee (CNERS) requires to approve the protocol first and this form must be filled and submitted to CNERS. ![Image] [Source : Brochure for Researchers - CNERS - French Version] In accordance with these documents, it is unlikely that a study performed in Senegal, in children, collecting human materials sent overseas to be analyzed do not require an approval from CNERS before the study. It is also really surprising that no written informed consent was signed by participants. Written informed consent is also mandatory per Senegalese Biomedical Law. It is an odd matter that this article relating to a study in children has no Senegalese ethics committee approval. it is also an odd matter that the certification that no ethics committee is need comes from 1 of the author himself. I a general matter, it seems very unwise to accept that authors of manuscripts can certify by themselves if an Ethics Committee is needed or not. Considering the absence of Senegalese Ethics Committee approval, the acceptance of this article for a peer-review process seems to be also questionable. Peer-reviewed process should ensure with no possible doubt that the compliance to the Helsinki Declaration has been respected. Considering the provisions of the Brochure for Researchers and the Senegalese Law on Biomedical Research, it would have been expected at least a certification from CNERS that an approval was not needed in this situation. It would be in a public interest that the Editor clarify asap this ethical consideration. ,