title: Specific genomic cues regulate Cajal body assembly.
abstract: The assembly of specialized sub-nuclear microenvironments known as nuclear bodies (NBs) is important for promoting efficient nuclear function. In particular, the Cajal body (CB), a prominent NB that facilitates spliceosomal snRNP biogenesis, assembles in response to genomic cues. Here, we detail the factors that regulate CB assembly and structural maintenance. These include the importance of transcription at nucleating gene loci, the grouping of these genes on human chromosomes 1, 6 and 17, as well as cell cycle and biochemical regulation of CB protein function. We also speculate on the correlation between CB formation and RNA splicing levels in neurons and cancer. The timing and location of these specific molecular events is critical to CB assembly and its contribution to genome function. However, further work is required to explore the emerging biophysical characteristics of CB assembly and the impact upon subsequent genome reorganization.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Cell Biology , Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science, Chicago Medical School , North Chicago , IL , USA.|b Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, National Cancer Institute , National Institutes of Health , Bethesda , MD , USA.
authors.forename: Iain A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Sawyer
authors.affiliation: b Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, National Cancer Institute , National Institutes of Health , Bethesda , MD , USA.
authors.forename: Gordon L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Hager
authors.affiliation: a Department of Cell Biology , Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science, Chicago Medical School , North Chicago , IL , USA.
authors.forename: Miroslav
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dundr
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002466:Cell Nucleolus / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020541:Coiled Bodies / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016678:Genome; D023281:Genomics / Q000379:methods; D006657:Histones / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D011485:Protein Binding; D012326:RNA Splicing; D017411:Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D017381:Spliceosomes / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D006657:Histones; D017411:Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear
keywords: Cajal bodies; RNA splicing; chromatin; coilin; genome organization; histone locus bodies; nuclear bodies; oncogenesis; phase separation; spliceosomal snRNPs