# Gene promoters are genomically encoded to facilitate histone exchange/incorporation

## TL;DR

This study shows that gene promoters in yeast are designed to help incorporate a specific histone variant, H2A.Z, which aids in RNA polymerase release.

## Contribution

The discovery that poly(dA) tracts in promoters enhance H2A.Z incorporation by the SWR complex in yeast is novel.

## Key findings

- Poly(dA) tracts at gene promoters stimulate H2A.Z incorporation by the SWR complex.
- This genomic feature facilitates histone exchange and RNA polymerase release in yeast.

## Abstract

Gene promoters are intrinsically hardwired not only to facilitate transcription preinitiation complex formation but also the release of paused RNA polymerase by H2A.Z. A new PLOS Biology study reveals poly (dA) tracts at promoters positively stimulate H2A.Z incorporation by the SWR complex in yeast.

Gene promoter regions are intrinsically hardwired not only to facilitate transcription preinitiation complex formation, but also the release of paused RNA polymerase by H2A.Z. Ed Luk and colleagues reveal poly (dA) tracks at promoters positively stimulates the incorporation of H2A.Z by the SWR complex in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.