1. Chromatin's physical properties shape the nucleus and its functions
Andrew D Stephens, Edward J Banigan, John F Marko Curr Opin Cell Biol. 2019 Jun;58:76-84. doi: 10.1016/j.ceb.2019.02.006. Epub 2019 Mar 16.
The cell nucleus encloses, organizes, and protects the genome. Chromatin maintains nuclear mechanical stability and shape in coordination with lamins and the cytoskeleton. Abnormal nuclear shape is a diagnostic marker for human diseases, and it can cause nuclear dysfunction. Chromatin mechanics underlies this link, as alterations to chromatin and its physical properties can disrupt or rescue nuclear shape. The cell can regulate nuclear shape through mechanotransduction pathways that sense and respond to extracellular cues, thus modulating chromatin compaction and rigidity. These findings reveal how chromatin's physical properties can regulate cellular function and drive abnormal nuclear morphology and dysfunction in disease.
2. Structure and Function of Chromatin Remodelers
Alexis A Reyes, Ryan D Marcum, Yuan He J Mol Biol. 2021 Jul 9;433(14):166929. doi: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.166929. Epub 2021 Mar 10.
Chromatin remodelers act to regulate multiple cellular processes, such as transcription and DNA repair, by controlling access to genomic DNA. Four families of chromatin remodelers have been identified in yeast, each with non-redundant roles within the cell. There has been a recent surge in structural models of chromatin remodelers in complex with their nucleosomal substrate. These structural studies provide new insight into the mechanism of action for individual chromatin remodelers. In this review, we summarize available data for the structure and mechanism of action of the four chromatin remodeling complex families.
3. Chromatin and nucleosome dynamics in DNA damage and repair
Michael H Hauer, Susan M Gasser Genes Dev. 2017 Nov 15;31(22):2204-2221. doi: 10.1101/gad.307702.117.
Chromatin is organized into higher-order structures that form subcompartments in interphase nuclei. Different categories of specialized enzymes act on chromatin and regulate its compaction and biophysical characteristics in response to physiological conditions. We present an overview of the function of chromatin structure and its dynamic changes in response to genotoxic stress, focusing on both subnuclear organization and the physical mobility of DNA. We review the requirements and mechanisms that cause chromatin relocation, enhanced mobility, and chromatin unfolding as a consequence of genotoxic lesions. An intriguing link has been established recently between enhanced chromatin dynamics and histone loss.
