Chromatin structure changes during various processes from a DNA sequence view

Abstract

Chromatin mainly consists of protein and DNA, and the sequence information of DNA contributes to controlling the spatial structure of chromatin. Genome-wide contact patterns of chromosome at high precision uncover fine structural properties, conductive to exploring underlying mechanisms on structure establishment and function realization for chromatin. In this short review, we describe changes of chromatin structure during various biological processes from a DNA sequence view, with an increase of the overall domain segregation from birth to senescence and establishment of cell identity related cross-domain contacts. Segregation patterns vary with cell stage and genomic distance. Meanwhile, possible effects of cell cycle, temperature, nuclear lamina and nucleolus on chromatin structure are discussed. At last, important roles of transcription factors and other proteins in proper chromatin organization are also discussed.