Abstract
Chromatin fibers are intrinsically dynamic macromolecular complexes whose biological functions are intimately linked with their structure and interactions with chromatin-associated proteins (CAPs). Three-dimensional architectural transitions between or within the two co-existing chromatin types referred to as euchromatin and heterochromatin have been associated with activation or repression of nuclear functions. The presence of specific subsets of chromosomal proteins co-existing with the different chromatin conformations suggests a functional significance for their co-localization. The major points of emphasis of this review will assess the structure, function and recently documented exchanges amongst various members of the CAP family.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Avian Proteins / chemistry
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Avian Proteins / metabolism
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Chromatin / chemistry
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Chromatin / metabolism*
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Chromatin / ultrastructure*
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Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / chemistry
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Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / genetics
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Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / metabolism*
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DNA / chemistry
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DNA / metabolism
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DNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
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DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
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HMGB Proteins / chemistry
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HMGB Proteins / metabolism
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HMGN Proteins / chemistry
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HMGN Proteins / genetics
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HMGN Proteins / metabolism
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Histones / chemistry
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Histones / metabolism
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Humans
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Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2
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Repressor Proteins*
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Silent Information Regulator Proteins, Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
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Silent Information Regulator Proteins, Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism
Substances
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Avian Proteins
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Cbx3 protein, mouse
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Chromatin
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Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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HMGB Proteins
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HMGN Proteins
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Histones
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MECP2 protein, human
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MENT protein, Gallus gallus
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Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2
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Repressor Proteins
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SIR3 protein, S cerevisiae
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Silent Information Regulator Proteins, Saccharomyces cerevisiae
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DNA