Intermingling of chromosome territories in interphase suggests role in translocations and transcription-dependent associations.

ABSTRACT: After mitosis, mammalian chromosomes partially decondense to occupy distinct territories in the cell nucleus. Current models propose that territories are separated by an interchromatin domain, rich in soluble nuclear machinery, where only rare interchromosomal interactions can occur via extended chromatin loops. In contrast, recent evidence for chromatin mobility and high frequency of chromosome translocations are consistent with significant levels of chromosome intermingling, with important consequences for genome function and stability. Here we use a novel high-resolution in situ hybridization procedure that preserves chromatin nanostructure to show that chromosome territories intermingle significantly in the nucleus of human cells. The degree of intermingling between specific chromosome

SUBMITTER: Branco MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1440941 | biostudies-literature | 2006 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature