title: Chromatin, nuclear matrix and the cytoskeleton: role of cell structure in neoplastic transformation (review).
abstract: Aberrant nuclear and cellular structures are hallmarks of malignant transformation. Thus it is not surprising that the three-dimensional structure of the cell both affects and is affected by changes in gene expression. Here we review the role of the cytoskeleton, nuclear matrix, and chromatin structure in the genesis of cancer. The shape of a cell is governed by a dynamic tissue matrix, which includes extracellular matrix, cytoskeleton and nuclear matrix. Mechanical and chemical signals are transmitted to the nucleus, resulting in alterations in the three-dimensional chromatin organization of genes. The signal transduction pathways affect histone modifications, such as acetylation and phosphorylation, resulting in a relaxed chromatin structure observed in oncogene-transformed cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0W3, Canada.
authors.forename: L T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Holth
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Chadee
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Samuel
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Safneck
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Davie
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000378:metabolism; D002843:Chromatin / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015530:Nuclear Matrix / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin