question: Is the zelda transcription factor a chromatin remodeller?
answer: During developmental transition, the zygotic genome is largely transcriptionally quiescent and undergoes significant chromatin remodeling. In Drosophila, the DNA-binding protein Zelda (also known as Vielfaltig) is required for this transition and for transcriptional activation of the zygotic genome. Zelda is differentially required for chromatin accessibility, transcription factor binding, and gene expression in the early Drosophila embryo. Zelda overcomes the high intrinsic nucleosome barrier at enhancers during Drosophila zygotic genome activation. Early enhancers are characterized by an intrinsically high nucleosome barrier. Zelda tackles this nucleosome barrier through local depletion of nucleosomes with the effect being dependent on the number and position of zelda(zld) motifs.