A defined locus control region determinant links chromatin domain acetylation with long-range gene activation.

Gene activation in higher eukaryotes is often under the control of regulatory elements quite distant from their target promoters. It is unclear how such long-range control is mediated. Here we show that a single determinant of the human growth hormone locus control region (hGH LCR) located 14.5 kb 5prime prime or minute to the hGH-N promoter has a critical, specific, and nonredundant role in facilitating promoter trans factor binding and activating hGH-N transcription. Significantly, this same determinant plays an essential role in establishing a 32 kb acetylated domain that encompasses the entire hGH LCR and the contiguous hGH-N promoter. These data support a model for long-range gene activation via LCR-mediated targeting and extensive spreading of core histone acetylation.