title: Heterochromatin, histone modifications, and nuclear architecture in disease vectors.
abstract: Interactions between a pathogen and a vector are plastic and dynamic. Such interactions can be more rapidly accommodated by epigenetic changes than by genetic mutations. Gene expression can be affected by the proximity to the heterochromatin, by local histone modifications, and by the three-dimensional position within the nucleus. Recent studies of disease vectors indicate that gene regulation by these factors can be important for susceptibility to pathogens, reproduction, immunity, development, and longevity. Knowledge about heterochromatin, histone modifications, and nuclear architecture will help our understanding of epigenetic mechanisms that control gene function at traits related to vectorial capacity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: Igor V
authors.initials: IV
authors.lastname: Sharakhov
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA ; Research Institute of Biology and Biophysics, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia.
authors.forename: Maria V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Sharakhova