Microchromosomes Exhibit Distinct Features of Vertebrate Chromosome Structure and Function with Underappreciated Ramifications for Genome Evolution.

ABSTRACT: Microchromosomes are common yet poorly understood components of many vertebrate genomes. Recent studies have revealed that microchromosomes contain a high density of genes and possess other distinct characteristics compared with macrochromosomes. Whether distinctive characteristics of microchromosomes extend to features of genome structure and organization, however, remains an open question. Here, we analyze Hi-C sequencing data from multiple vertebrate lineages and show that microchromosomes exhibit consistently high degrees of interchromosomal interaction (particularly with other microchromosomes), appear to be colocalized to a common central nuclear territory, and are comprised of a higher proportion of open chromatin than macrochromosomes. These findings highlight an unappreciated leve

SUBMITTER: Perry BW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7947875 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature