Online Now: Distinct associations of pioneer factor Ascl1-E12a with nucleosomes drive changes in cell fate Online now:
Zhou et al. reveal how the neural pioneer factor Ascl1-E12a engages nucleosomes through distinct interactions that together drive DNA unwrapping and repositioning. These mechanisms enable chromatin opening and efficient reprogramming to a neural fate, providing insight into how pioneer transcription factors overcome nucleosomal barriers to initiate cell fate transitions.
