Conformation and dynamics of the mammalian chromosome

The control of transcription represents a fundamental, initial mechanism by which the regulation of gene expression is implemented. However, while much research has been done on the biochemistry and cellular function of transcription, comparatively little is known on the dynamics of transcriptional mechanisms, their impact on chromatin structure, and concomitant functional consequences. Employing chromatin immunoprecipitation measurements, we report progress towards this goal. We characterize the ensemble chromosome conformation in mouse embryonic stem cells, by measuring interaction, or contact, probabilities between distal genomic loci. We map and describe chromosome loops, consisting of two interacting CTCF sites co-bound by cohesin, that maintain the expression of genes known to promote cell identity, and restrict the expression of genes specifying repressed developmental lineages.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Biology.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2016

Author dc:creator

• Zhang, Lyndon N. (Lyndon Nuoxi)

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Ibrahim I. Cissé.

• Biology.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/103441

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/103441