Confined migration induces heterochromatin formation and alters chromatin accessibility.

ABSTRACT: During migration, cells often squeeze through small constrictions, requiring extensive deformation. We hypothesized that nuclear deformation associated with such confined migration could alter chromatin organization and function. By studying cells migrating through microfluidic devices that mimic interstitial spaces in vivo, we found that confined migration results in increased H3K9me3 and H3K27me3 heterochromatin marks that persist for days. This "confined migration-induced heterochromatin" (CMiH) was distinct from heterochromatin formation during migration initiation. Confined migration decreased chromatin accessibility at intergenic regions near centromeres and telomeres, suggesting heterochromatin spreading from existing sites. Consistent with the overall decrease in accessibili

SUBMITTER: Hsia CR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9474860 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature