Dissecting the contribution of transposable elements to interphase chromosome structure.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Transposable elements (TEs) occupy nearly half of the human genome and play diverse biological roles. Despite their abundance, the extent to which TEs contribute to three-dimensional (3D) genome structure remains unclear.

Results

To investigate this, we generate a modified Hi-C analysis pipeline to probe TE-associated chromatin interactions. Our analysis reveals that TE sequences are responsible for 3D genome structure in interphase nuclei. This phenomenon is mediated by the recruitment of specific epigenetic/transcription factors to TEs, which both promote and impair chromatin contacts. We computationally identified known factors positively associated with chromatin contacts (CTCF, RAD21, SMC3) and chromatin contact impairing proteins (RNF2). Additionally, we ide

SUBMITTER: Shi L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12903442 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature