title: Characterization of chromosomal architecture in Arabidopsis by chromosome conformation capture.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The packaging of long chromatin fibers in the nucleus poses a major challenge, as it must fulfill both physical and functional requirements. Until recently, insights into the chromosomal architecture of plants were mainly provided by cytogenetic studies. Complementary to these analyses, chromosome conformation capture technologies promise to refine and improve our view on chromosomal architecture and to provide a more generalized description of nuclear organization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Employing circular chromosome conformation capture, this study describes chromosomal architecture in Arabidopsis nuclei from a genome-wide perspective. Surprisingly, the linear organization of chromosomes is reflected in the genome-wide interactome. In addition, we study the interplay of the interactome and epigenetic marks and report that the heterochromatic knob on the short arm of chromosome 4 maintains a pericentromere-like interaction profile and interactome despite its euchromatic surrounding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the extreme condensation that is necessary to pack the chromosomes into the nucleus, the Arabidopsis genome appears to be packed in a predictive manner, according to the following criteria: heterochromatin and euchromatin represent two distinct interactomes; interactions between chromosomes correlate with the linear position on the chromosome arm; and distal chromosome regions have a higher potential to interact with other chromosomes.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grob
authors.forename: Marc W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.forename: Nathan W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Luedtke
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wicker
authors.forename: Ueli
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Grossniklaus
mesh_terms: D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000235:genetics; D002503:Centromere / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D032461:Chromosomes, Plant / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D019175:DNA Methylation; D057890:Epigenomics; D022041:Euchromatin / Q000235:genetics; D005819:Genetic Markers; D018745:Genome, Plant; D006570:Heterochromatin / Q000235:genetics; D006657:Histones / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
chemical_list: D022041:Euchromatin; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006570:Heterochromatin; D006657:Histones