The mechanisms that regulate chromosome structure and activity
The mechanisms that regulate chromosome structure and activity
While it is known that DNA is composed of nucleotides that form a double-helix structure, until now theoverall three-dimensional organization of chromosomes in the cell, that is, how they fold into its nucleus, has remained mysterious.
This organization plays a key role in the functional control of the genome since, for example, genes to be activated must make physical contact with specific remote regions of DNA, such as enhancers, which regulate their activity. A study just published in Nature Communications, led by Mattia Conte, Luca Fiorillo, Simona Bianco, Andrea Maria Chiariello and Andrea Esposito of the research group of Professor Mario Nicodemi of the Department of Physics "Ettore Pancini," has taken an important step in this direction.
By combining high-resolution microscopy data (multiplexed super-resolution FISH imaging), polymer physics models and computer simulations, the Federico II group has for the first time derived the spatial structure of chromosomes at the level of the single DNA molecule and identified the underlying physical mechanisms in human cells. Understanding the structure of chromosomes and the molecular processes that control it is of great importance, for example, in understanding the origin of genetic diseases such as congenital disorders and cancer.
Written by Redazione c/o COINOR: redazionenews@unina.it | redazionesocial@unina.it