Spatial positioning; a new dimension in genome function.
The eukaryotic cell nucleus is a heterogeneous organelle. Chromosomes are nonrandomly positioned within the nuclear space, and individual gene loci experience distinct local environments due to the presence of chromatin domains and subnuclear compartments. Recent observations have highlighted the important yet still largely mysterious role of spatial positioning in genome activity and stability.
National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA. mistelit@mail.nih.gov
Tom
T
Misteli
D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*; D045584:Chromosome Positioning; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D016678:Genome; D042822:Genomic Instability; D006801:Humans