Emerging roles of chromatin in the maintenance of genome organization and function in plants

Genome Biol. 2017 May 23;18(1):96. doi: 10.1186/s13059-017-1236-9.

Abstract

Chromatin is not a uniform macromolecular entity; it contains different domains characterized by complex signatures of DNA and histone modifications. Such domains are organized both at a linear scale along the genome and spatially within the nucleus. We discuss recent discoveries regarding mechanisms that establish boundaries between chromatin states and nuclear territories. Chromatin organization is crucial for genome replication, transcriptional silencing, and DNA repair and recombination. The replication machinery is relevant for the maintenance of chromatin states, influencing DNA replication origin specification and accessibility. Current studies reinforce the idea of intimate crosstalk between chromatin features and processes involving DNA transactions.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / genetics*
  • Arabidopsis / metabolism
  • DNA Damage
  • DNA Repair*
  • DNA Replication
  • Euchromatin / chemistry*
  • Euchromatin / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
  • Genome, Plant*
  • Heterochromatin / chemistry*
  • Heterochromatin / metabolism
  • Histones / genetics
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Plant Cells / metabolism
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational*

Substances

  • Euchromatin
  • Heterochromatin
  • Histones