Chromatin topology in development and disease

Abstract

The discovery of domains of preferential interaction or Topologically Associating Domains (TADs) has provided a framework to understand the relation between enhancers and promoters within intricate regulatory landscapes. It has also enabled the conceptualization of the effect of non-coding structural variants on TADs structure and insulation and reveal new patho-mechanisms leading to disease. Here, we will review current knowledge on enhancer-promoter communication in relation to TAD structure. In particular, we will discuss how enhancer-promoter interaction dynamics is established within or outside of TADs. We will further provide an overview of how mutations affect the normal organization of the genome and how it impacts the normal ability of enhancers to induce transcription at their cognate promoters in disease. Finally, we will discuss the future directions to be explored to understand the mutual influences between 3D chromatin topology and gene regulation.