Structural maintenance of chromosome complexes and bone development: the beginning of a wonderful relationship?

ABSTRACT: Bone development depends on environmental, nutritional and hormonal factors. Yet, an ordered and timed activation of genes and their associated molecular pathways are central for the growth and development of healthy bones. The correct expression of genes depends on both cis- and trans-regulatory elements. Of these, the elusive role of chromatin ultrastructure is just beginning to become appreciated. Changes in the higher-order structure of chromatin are affecting the expression of genes in response to intrinsic and environmental signals. Cohesin and condensin are members of the structural maintenance of chromosome (SMC) family of protein complexes, which mediate higher-order chromatin structure by tethering distinct regions of chromatin either inter- or intra-molecularly. In recent years,

SUBMITTER: Cohen-Zinder M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3765053 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature