A statistical model of intra-chromosome contact maps

Soft Matter. 2015 Feb 7;11(5):1019-25. doi: 10.1039/c4sm02519a.

Abstract

A statistical model describing a fine structure of the intra-chromosome maps obtained by a genome-wide chromosome conformation capture method (Hi-C) is proposed. The model combines hierarchical chain folding with a quenched heteropolymer structure of primary chromatin sequences. It is conjectured that the observed Hi-C maps are statistical averages over many different ways of hierarchical genome folding. It is shown that the existence of a quenched primary structure coupled with hierarchical folding induces a full range of features observed in experimental Hi-C maps: hierarchical elements, chess-board intermittency and large-scale compartmentalization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chromosome Mapping / methods*
  • Chromosomes / chemistry*
  • Chromosomes / genetics
  • Models, Statistical*