Polymer models of interphase chromosomes

Nucleus. 2014 Sep-Oct;5(5):376-90. doi: 10.4161/nucl.36275.

Abstract

Clear organizational patterns on the genome have emerged from the statistics of population studies of fixed cells. However, how these results translate into the dynamics of individual living cells remains unexplored. We use statistical mechanics models derived from polymer physics to inquire into the effects that chromosome properties and dynamics have in the temporal and spatial behavior of the genome. Overall, changes in the properties of individual chains affect the behavior of all other chains in the domain. We explore two modifications of chain behavior: single chain motion and chain-chain interactions. We show that there is not a direct relation between these effects, as increase in motion, doesn't necessarily translate into an increase on chain interaction.

Keywords: DNA damage; chromosome territories; chromosome tethers; interphase dynamics; polymer models.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Chromatin / genetics*
  • Chromosomes / chemistry
  • Chromosomes / genetics*
  • DNA Damage / genetics
  • Genome
  • Humans
  • Interphase / genetics
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Polymers*

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • Polymers