How to pack the genome for a safe trip.
The transformation of the somatic chromatin into a unique and highly compact structure occurring during the post-meiotic phase of spermatogenesis is one of the most dramatic known processes of chromatin remodeling. Paradoxically, no information is available on the mechanisms controlling this specific reorganization of the haploid cell genome. The only existing hints suggest a role for histone variants, as well as for stage-specific post-translational histone modifications,before and during the incorporation of testis-specific basic nuclear proteins. Moreover, the exact functions of the latter remain obscure. This chapter summarizes the major chromatin-associated events taking place during the post-meiotic differentiation of male haploid cells in mammals and discusses some of the basic issues that remain to be solved to finally understand chromatin remodeling during spermatogenesis.
Caron
Cécile
C
Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire de la Différenciation - INSERM U309, Equipe "Chromatine et Expression des Gènes", Institut Albert Bonniot, Faculté de Médecine, Domaine de la Merci, 38706 La Tronche Cedex, France.
Govin
Jérôme
J
Rousseaux
Sophie
S
Khochbin
Saadi
S
D000818:Animals; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism*; D042002:Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly; D042003:DNA Packaging; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D016678:Genome; D006657:Histones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008540:Meiosis / Q000502:physiology; D009707:Nucleosomes / Q000378:metabolism; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*; D013737:Testis / Q000502:physiology
D002843:Chromatin; D006657:Histones; D009707:Nucleosomes; D020033:Protein Isoforms