title: A model of the large-scale organization of chromatin.
abstract: In the cell nucleus, chromosomes have a complex spatial organization, spanning several length scales, which serves vital functional purposes. It is unknown, however, how their three-dimensional architecture is orchestrated. In the present article, we review the application of a model based on classical polymer physics, the strings and binders switch model, to explain the molecular mechanisms of chromatin self-organization. We explore the scenario where chromatin architecture is shaped and regulated by the interactions of chromosomes with diffusing DNA-binding factors via thermodynamics mechanisms and compare it with available experimental data.
authors.affiliation: Università di Napoli 'Federico II', Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiche, INFN Sezione di Napoli, CNR-SPIN, Complesso Universitario di Monte S. Angelo, Via Cintia, 80126 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Mariano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barbieri
authors.forename: Mita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chotalia
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.forename: Liron-Mark
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Lavitas
authors.forename: Josée
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dostie
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pombo
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nicodemi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin