chromatin structure
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Cells belonging to the germ lineage segregate physically and molecularly from their somatic neighbors during embryogenesis. While germ line-specific chromatin modifications have been identified at later stages in the Caenorhabditis elegans nematode, none have been found in the single P4 germ line founder cell that arises at the beginning of gastrulation. Using light and electron microscopy, we now report that the chromatin organization in the germ line founder cell of the early C. elegans embryo is distinct from that in the neighboring somatic cells. This unique organization is characterized by a greater chromatin compaction and an expansion of the interchromatin compartment. The ultrastructure of individual chromatin domains does not differ between germ line and somatic cells, pointing to a specific organization mainly at the level of the whole nucleus. We show that this higher order reorganization of chromatin is not a consequence of the P4 nucleus being smaller than somatic nuclei or having initiated mitosis. Imaging of living embryos expressing fluorescent markers for both chromatin and P granules revealed that the appearance of a distinct chromatin organization in the P4 cell occurs approximately 10 min after its birth and coincides with the aggregation of P granules around the nucleus, suggesting a possible link between these two events. The higher order reorganization of chromatin that is reported here occurs during the establishment of definitive germ cell identity. The changes we have observed could therefore be a prerequisite for the programming of chromatin totipotency.
- MeSH
- Caenorhabditis elegans embryologie ultrastruktura MeSH
- chromatin metabolismus ultrastruktura MeSH
- embryo nesavčí metabolismus ultrastruktura MeSH
- restrukturace chromatinu fyziologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
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- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
Nucleoli are the site of ribosomal RNA production and subunit assembly. In contrast to active nucleoli in somatic cells, where three basic sub-compartments can be observed, mammalian oocytes and early embryos contain atypical nucleoli termed "nucleolus-like bodies" or "nucleolus precursor bodies", respectively. Unlike their somatic counterparts, these structures are composed of dense homogenous fibrillar material and exhibit no polymerase activity. Irrespective of these unusual properties, they have been shown to be absolutely essential for embryonic development, as their microsurgical removal results in developmental arrest. Historically, nucleolus-like and nucleolus precursor bodies have been perceived as passive storage sites of nucleolar material, which is gradually utilized by embryos to construct fully functional nucleoli once they have activated their genome and have started to produce ribosomes. For decades, researchers have been trying to elucidate the composition of these organelles and provide the evidence for their repository role. However, only recently has it become clear that the function of these atypical nucleoli is altogether different, and rather than being involved in ribosome biogenesis, they participate in parental chromatin remodeling, and strikingly, the artificial introduction of a single NPB component is sufficient to rescue the developmental arrest elicited by the NPB removal. In this review, we will describe and summarize the experiments that led to the change in our understanding of these unique structures.
- MeSH
- buněčné jadérko genetika metabolismus MeSH
- chromatin genetika metabolismus MeSH
- embryonální vývoj genetika MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- restrukturace chromatinu * MeSH
- ribozomy genetika metabolismus MeSH
- zárodečné buňky metabolismus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
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- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
Double-strand breaks (DSBs), continuously introduced into DNA by cell metabolism, ionizing radiation and some chemicals, are the biologically most deleterious type of genome damage, and must be accurately repaired to protect genomic integrity, ensure cell survival, and prevent carcinogenesis. Although a huge amount of information has been published on the molecular basis and biological significance of DSB repair, our understanding of DSB repair and its spatiotemporal arrangement is still incomplete. In particular, the role of higher-order chromatin structure in DSB induction and repair, movement of DSBs and the mechanism giving rise to chromatin exchanges, and many other currently disputed questions are discussed in this review. Finally, a model explaining the formation of chromosome translocations is proposed.
