Crowding-induced formation and structural alteration of nuclear compartments: Insights from computer simulations
- 주제(키워드) Crowding , Nuclear structures , Chromosome subcompartments , Nuclear bodies , Computer simulation
- 등재 SCIE, SCOPUS
- 발행기관 Elsevier BV
- 발행년도 2014
- 총서유형 Journal
- URI http://www.dcollection.net/handler/ewha/000000097789
- 본문언어 영어
- Published As http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-800046-5.00004-7
- 저작권 이화여자대학교 논문은 저작권에 의해 보호받습니다.
초록/요약
Our understanding of the structural and dynamical characteristics of nuclear structures such as chromosomes and nuclear bodies (NBs) has increased significantly in recent days owing to advances in biophysical and biochemical techniques. These techniques include the use of computer simulations, which have provided further physical insights complementary to findings from experiments. In this chapter, we review recent computer simulation studies on the structural alteration of chromosome subcompartments and the formation and maintenance of NBs in the highly crowded cell nucleus. It is found that because of macromolecular crowding, the degree of chromosome compaction changes significantly and the formation of NBs is facilitated. We further discuss the physical consequences of these phenomena, which may be of critical importance in understanding genome processes.
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