title: Domain organization of human chromosomes revealed by mapping of nuclear lamina interactions.
abstract: The architecture of human chromosomes in interphase nuclei is still largely unknown. Microscopy studies have indicated that specific regions of chromosomes are located in close proximity to the nuclear lamina (NL). This has led to the idea that certain genomic elements may be attached to the NL, which may contribute to the spatial organization of chromosomes inside the nucleus. However, sequences in the human genome that interact with the NL in vivo have not been identified. Here we construct a high-resolution map of the interaction sites of the entire genome with NL components in human fibroblasts. This map shows that genome-lamina interactions occur through more than 1,300 sharply defined large domains 0.1-10 megabases in size. These lamina-associated domains (LADs) are typified by low gene-expression levels, indicating that LADs represent a repressive chromatin environment. The borders of LADs are demarcated by the insulator protein CTCF, by promoters that are oriented away from LADs, or by CpG islands, suggesting possible mechanisms of LAD confinement. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the human genome is divided into large, discrete domains that are units of chromosome organization within the nucleus.
authors.affiliation: Division of Molecular Biology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guelen
authors.forename: Ludo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pagie
authors.forename: Emilie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brasset
authors.forename: Wouter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Meuleman
authors.forename: Marius B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Faza
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Talhout
authors.forename: Bert H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Eussen
authors.forename: Annelies
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Klein
authors.forename: Lodewyk
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wessels
authors.forename: Wouter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: de Laat
authors.forename: Bas
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: van Steensel
mesh_terms: D000076246:CCCTC-Binding Factor; D002460:Cell Line; D002843:Chromatin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D045584:Chromosome Positioning; D002877:Chromosomes, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018899:CpG Islands / Q000235:genetics; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005347:Fibroblasts; D015894:Genome, Human; D006801:Humans; D034921:Lamin Type B / Q000378:metabolism; D034881:Nuclear Lamina / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D011485:Protein Binding; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000076246:CCCTC-Binding Factor; C000619697:CTCF protein, human; D002843:Chromatin; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D034921:Lamin Type B; D012097:Repressor Proteins