a model of dna repeat-assembled mitotic？chromosomal skeleton一个模型的dna repeat-assembled有丝分裂染色体骨架.pdfVIP

Genes 2011, 2, 661-670; doi:10.3390/genes2040661 OPEN ACCESS genes ISSN 2073-4425 /journal/genes Article A Model of DNA Repeat-Assembled Mitotic Chromosomal Skeleton Shao-Jun Tang Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-1069, USA; E-Mail: shtang@; Tel.: +1-409-772-1190 Received: 1 August 2011; in revised form: 15 September 2011 / Accepted: 21 September 2011 / Published: 26 September 2011 Abstract: Despite intensive investigation for decades, the principle of higher-order organization of mitotic chromosomes is unclear. Here, I describe a novel model that emphasizes a critical role of interactions of homologous DNA repeats (repetitive elements; repetitive sequences) in mitotic chromosome architecture. According to the model, DNA repeats are assembled, via repeat interactions (pairing), into compact core structures that govern the arrangement of chromatins in mitotic chromosomes. Tandem repeat assemblies form a chromosomal axis to coordinate chromatins in the longitudinal dimension, while dispersed repeat assemblies form chromosomal nodes around the axis to organize chromatins in the halo. The chromosomal axis and nodes constitute a firm skeleton on which non-skeletal chromatins can be anchored, folded, and supercoiled. Keywords: repetitive DNA; DNA repeats; mitotic chromosome; chromosomal skeleton; repe