Chromatin organization in the mammalian nucleus

Int Rev Cytol. 2005:242:283-336. doi: 10.1016/S0074-7696(04)42007-5.

Abstract

Mammalian cells package their DNA into chromatin and arrange it in the nucleus as chromosomes. In interphase cells chromosomes are organized in a radial distribution with the most gene-dense chromosomes toward the center of the nucleus. Gene transcription, replication, and repair are influenced by the underlying chromatin architecture, which in turn is affected by the formation of chromosome territories. This arrangement in the nucleus presumably facilitates cellular functions to occur in an efficient and ordered fashion and exploring the link between transcription and nuclear organization will be an exciting area of further research.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Nucleus / genetics
  • Cell Nucleus / physiology*
  • Cell Nucleus / ultrastructure
  • Chromatin / genetics
  • Chromatin / physiology*
  • Chromatin / ultrastructure
  • Chromosomes / genetics
  • Chromosomes / physiology
  • Chromosomes / ultrastructure
  • DNA / physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Nuclear Matrix / genetics
  • Nuclear Matrix / physiology
  • Nuclear Matrix / ultrastructure
  • RNA, Small Nuclear / genetics
  • RNA, Small Nuclear / physiology

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • RNA, Small Nuclear
  • DNA