Intra- and inter-chromosomal interactions correlate with CTCF binding genome wide

Mol Syst Biol. 2010 Nov 2:6:426. doi: 10.1038/msb.2010.79.

Abstract

A prime goal in systems biology is the comprehensive use of existing high-throughput genomic datasets to gain a better understanding of chromatin organization and genome function. In this report, we use chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) data that map protein-binding sites on the genome, and Hi-C data that map interactions between DNA fragments in the genome in an integrative approach. We first reanalyzed the contact map of the human genome as determined with Hi-C and found that long-range interactions are highly nonrandom; the same DNA fragments are often found interacting together. We then show using ChIP data that these interactions can be explained by the action of the CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF). These CTCF-mediated interactions are found both within chromosomes and in between different chromosomes. This makes CTCF a major organizer of both the structure of the chromosomal fiber within each individual chromosome and of the chromosome territories within the cell nucleus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Binding Sites
  • CCCTC-Binding Factor
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Nucleus / genetics
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Chromatin / chemistry
  • Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
  • Chromosomes, Human / chemistry
  • Chromosomes, Human / genetics
  • Chromosomes, Human / metabolism*
  • DNA / chemistry
  • DNA / metabolism*
  • Gene Regulatory Networks
  • Genome, Human
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Humans
  • Protein Binding
  • Repressor Proteins / chemistry
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics*
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism*
  • Systems Biology / methods*

Substances

  • CCCTC-Binding Factor
  • CTCF protein, human
  • Chromatin
  • Repressor Proteins
  • DNA