Interphase chromosomes are long DNA strands that are extensively folded, and are often described as appearing like a bowl of spaghetti. The chromosome territory concept holds that despite this apparent disorder, chromosomes largely occupy defined regions of the nucleus.[1] Most eukaryotes are thought to have chromosome territories, although the budding yeastS. cerevisiae is an exception to this.[2]
Characteristics
Chromosome territories are spheroid with diameters on the order of one to few micrometers.[3]
Nuclear compartments devoid of DNA called interchromatin compartments have been reported to tunnel into chromosome territories to facilitate molecular diffusion into the otherwise tightly packed chromosome-occupied regions.[4][5]
History and experimental support
The concept of chromosome territories was proposed by Carl Rabl in 1885 based on studies of Salamandra maculata.[6]
Studies of genomic proximity using techniques like chromosome conformation capture have supported the chromosome territory concept by showing that DNA-DNA contacts predominantly happen within particular chromosomes.
See also
Transcription factories – Sites in the cell nucleus where DNA transcription occursPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets