title: Identical cells with different 3D genomes; cause and consequences?
abstract: The mammalian genome is folded into topological domains, chromosomal units that probably serve to spatially accommodate enhancer-promoter interactions and control gene expression levels across cell populations. Longer-range contacts beyond topological domains are also formed, but only in subpopulations of cells. We propose a model (dog-on-a-lead model) to understand the principles behind and consequences of cell-specific remote DNA contacts and speculate that cell-specific genome topologies can cause variegated gene expression among otherwise identical cells.
authors: Hubrecht Institute-KNAW & University Medical Center Utrecht, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT Urecht, The Netherlands.
authors: Peter H L
authors: PH
authors: Krijger
authors: Wouter
authors: W
authors: de Laat
mesh_terms: D002875:Chromosomes / Q000235:genetics* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004742:Enhancer Elements, Genetic; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D016678:Genome; D006801:Humans; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic