Chromatin from two tissues, skin and liver, was extracted and analyzed near the gene Twist. The liver chromatin was found to be more DNAse sensitive than the chromatin from skin cells. What might explain this difference?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The increased DNAse sensitivity of liver chromatin suggests that the chromatin is more open or accessible in liver cells, which is typically associated with active gene expression. Therefore, if the Twist gene is silenced in skin cells but not in liver cells, it would explain why the chromatin is more accessible (and thus more DNAse sensitive) in liver cells. This accessibility is usually due to the chromatin being in a more relaxed or euchromatic state, which facilitates gene expression.

Chromatin from Two Tissues, Skin and Liver, Was Extracted and Analyzed