title: Chromosomal domains: epigenetic contexts and functional implications of genomic compartmentalization.
abstract: We review recent developments in mapping chromosomal contacts and compare emerging insights on chromosomal contact domain organization in Drosophila and mammalian cells. Potential scenarios leading to the observation of Hi-C domains and their association with the epigenomic context of the chromosomal elements involved are discussed. We argue that even though the mechanisms and precise physical structure underlying chromosomal domain demarcation are yet to be fully resolved, the implications to genome regulation and genome evolution are profound. Specifically, we hypothesize that domains are facilitating genomic compartmentalization that support the implementation of complex, modular, and tissue specific transcriptional program in metazoa.
authors: Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel. amos.tanay@weizmann.ac.il
authors: Amos
authors: A
authors: Tanay
authors: Giacomo
authors: G
authors: Cavalli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D022004:Chromosome Structures / Q000235:genetics; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000235:genetics* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000166:cytology* / Q000235:genetics; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D016678:Genome; D023281:Genomics; D006801:Humans