Planning for remodelling: nuclear architecture, chromatin and chromosomes

doi:10.1016/S1360-1385(03)00054-2

Trends in Plant Science

Volume 8, Issue 5, May 2003, Pages 195-197

https://doi.org/10.1016/S1360-1385(03)00054-2 Get rights and content

Abstract

DNA sequences occupy three-dimensional positions and their architecture is related to gene expression, gene–protein interactions and epigenetic processes. The recent analysis of chromosome 4 in Arabidopsis interphase nuclei reveals that gene-rich, undermethylated DNA is composed of active loops of 200 to 2000 kb associated with acetylated histones, providing a well-defined model system to study chromatin in its nuclear context.

Section snippets

Interphase chromatin organization

In Arabidopsis nuclei, Fransz et al. [4] have carried out a study of the physical organization of chromosome 4 using DNA probes to the 45S and 5S ribosomal DNA (rDNA), the centromeric regions and several BAC clones covering a significant fraction of the genome. These probes enabled them to show exactly which sequences were associated with heterochromatin, and the nature of sequences that are dispersed around and between the chromocentres. Their experiments with antibody staining could show

The model nucleus

The small quantity of nuclear DNA in Arabidopsis has assisted in analysing the packaging and modulation of the small amount of heterochromatin that is present. In nuclei with only a small change in the number of genes but with magnitudes more repetitive sequences, the arrangement of individual chromosomes at interphase would have been much harder to decipher. The Arabidopsis genomic DNA sequence shows a low density of genes within blocks of repetitive DNA sequences, and the apparent presence of

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Control of CpNpG DNA methylation by the KRYPTONITE histone H3 methyltransferase
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A.V. Gendrel
Dependence of heterochromatic histone H3 methylation patterns on the Arabidopsis gene DDM1
Science
(2002)
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Alterations in the distribution of histone H3 phophorylation in mitotic plant chromosomes in response to cold treatment and the protein phosphatase inhibitor cantharidin
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P. Fransz
Interphase chromosomes in Arabidopsis are organized as well defined chromocenters from which euchromatin loops emanate
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A.
(2002)

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Trends in Plant Science

Abstract

Section snippets

Interphase chromatin organization

The model nucleus

References (9)

Control of CpNpG DNA methylation by the KRYPTONITE histone H3 methyltransferase

Nature

Dependence of heterochromatic histone H3 methylation patterns on the Arabidopsis gene DDM1

Science

Alterations in the distribution of histone H3 phophorylation in mitotic plant chromosomes in response to cold treatment and the protein phosphatase inhibitor cantharidin

Chromosome Res.

Interphase chromosomes in Arabidopsis are organized as well defined chromocenters from which euchromatin loops emanate

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A.

Cited by (11)

Wheat-Aegilops biuncialis amphiploids have efficient photosynthesis and biomass production during osmotic stress

Topographically induced direct cell mechanotransduction

Integration of Repeatomic and Cytogenetic Data on Satellite DNA for the Genome Analysis in the Genus Salvia (Lamiaceae)

Repeatome Analyses and Satellite DNA Chromosome Patterns in Deschampsia sukatschewii, D. cespitosa, and D. antarctica (Poaceae)

Histone Modifications and Transcription in Plants

Phosphorylation of H2AX histones in response to double-strand breaks and induction of premature chromatin condensation in hydroxyurea-treated root meristem cells of Raphanus sativus, Vicia faba, and Allium porrum

Trends in Plant Science

Research FocusPlanning for remodelling: nuclear architecture, chromatin and chromosomes

Abstract

Section snippets

Interphase chromatin organization

The model nucleus

Control of CpNpG DNA methylation by the KRYPTONITE histone H3 methyltransferase

Nature

Dependence of heterochromatic histone H3 methylation patterns on the Arabidopsis gene DDM1

Science

Alterations in the distribution of histone H3 phophorylation in mitotic plant chromosomes in response to cold treatment and the protein phosphatase inhibitor cantharidin

Chromosome Res.

Interphase chromosomes in Arabidopsis are organized as well defined chromocenters from which euchromatin loops emanate

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A.

Research Focus
Planning for remodelling: nuclear architecture, chromatin and chromosomes