Loop extrusion by cohesin plays a role in enhancer-activated gene expression early in differentiation (RNA-Seq, CapC)

This may be explained by a variety of mechanisms, including cohesin-mediated chromatin loop extrusion. However, acute depletion of cohesin does not cause widespread changes in gene expression.

We have tested the role of cohesin-mediated loop extrusion in gene expression at the mouse alpha-globin locus during erythropoiesis. Acute depletion of cohesin disrupts alpha-globin expression at early but not late stages of differentiation. Furthermore, when single or multiple CTCF sites, known to block cohesin, are placed between the alpha-globin enhancers and promoters, alpha-gene expression is disrupted.