Confinement-Induced Glassy Dynamics in a Model for Chromosome Organization

Phys Rev Lett. 2015 Nov 6;115(19):198102. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.115.198102. Epub 2015 Nov 4.

Abstract

Recent experiments showing scaling of the intrachromosomal contact probability, P(s)∼s(-1) with the genomic distance s, are interpreted to mean a self-similar fractal-like chromosome organization. However, scaling of P(s) varies across organisms, requiring an explanation. We illustrate dynamical arrest in a highly confined space as a discriminating marker for genome organization, by modeling chromosomes inside a nucleus as a homopolymer confined to a sphere of varying sizes. Brownian dynamics simulations show that the chain dynamics slows down as the polymer volume fraction (ϕ) inside the confinement approaches a critical value ϕ(c). The universal value of ϕ(c)(∞)≈0.44 for a sufficiently long polymer (N≫1) allows us to discuss genome dynamics using ϕ as the sole parameter. Our study shows that the onset of glassy dynamics is the reason for the segregated chromosome organization in humans (N≈3×10(9), ϕ≳ϕ(c)(∞)), whereas chromosomes of budding yeast (N≈10(8), ϕ<ϕ(c)(∞)) are equilibrated with no clear signature of such organization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Chromosomes / chemistry*
  • Chromosomes / genetics*
  • Glass / chemistry
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Models, Genetic*