Biopolym. Cell. 2014; 30(2):83-89.
http://dx.doi.org/10.7124/bc.000885
Reviews
Folded genome as a platform for the functional compartmentalization of the eukaryotic cell nucleus
1, 2Ioudinkova E. S., 1, 2Gavrilov A. A., 1, 2, 3Razin S. V.
  1. Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences
    34/5, Vavilova Str., Moscow, Russian Federation, 119334
  2. LIA 1066 French-Russian Joint Cancer Research Laboratory
    Villejuif, France–Moscow, Russian Federation
  3. Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University
    Leninskie Gory, Moscow, Russian Federation, 119991

Abstract

In a number of recent studies a tight interconnection between the spatial organization of the eukaryotic genome and its functioning has been demonstrated. Moreover, it is becoming evident that the folded DNA by itself consti- tutes an important, if not the key, factor supporting the internal nuclear organization. In this review, we will discuss the current state of chromatin research with the special attention focused on chromosome territories, chromatin folding and dynamics, chromatin domains, transcription and replication factories. Based on this analysis we will show how interphase chromosomes define the assembly of different nuclear compartments and underlie the spatial compartmentalization of the cell nucleus.
Keywords: chromosome folding, nuclear compartments, genome spatial organization
Full text: (PDF, in English)

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