Chromatin


Book Description

Chromatin: Structure, Function, and History covers the basics of chromatin biology, beginning with the discoveries that culminated in the recognition of the nucleosome as the basic subunit of chromatin. Chromatin folding, nucleosome positioning, and histone variants are discussed, as well as research on chromatin modifications and remodeling, which exploded in the early to mid-1990s and led to widespread interest in epigenetics. Considerable attention is given to methods and experiments that led to key insights and recent developments such as the use of genome-wide approaches and innovations in imaging approaches are also emphasized. By providing historical background together with detailed discussion of contemporary studies, the book aims to instill in the reader an appreciation not only of our current knowledge of chromatin structure and function, but also of the remarkable path that has taken chromatin to the forefront of modern research. - Provides a current, expansive, and well-documented resource on chromatin and epigenetics - Addresses the role of chromatin in transcription regulation and chromatin abnormalities in disease - Reviews the historical background of specific areas of chromatin research, enabling readers to understand how the field was born and to appreciate the discoveries and technical advances that have propelled it forward







Introduction to Epigenetics


Book Description

This open access textbook leads the reader from basic concepts of chromatin structure and function and RNA mechanisms to the understanding of epigenetics, imprinting, regeneration and reprogramming. The textbook treats epigenetic phenomena in animals, as well as plants. Written by four internationally known experts and senior lecturers in this field, it provides a valuable tool for Master- and PhD- students who need to comprehend the principles of epigenetics, or wish to gain a deeper knowledge in this field. After reading this book, the student will: Have an understanding of the basic toolbox of epigenetic regulation Know how genetic and epigenetic information layers are interconnected Be able to explain complex epigenetic phenomena by understanding the structures and principles of the underlying molecular mechanisms Understand how misregulated epigenetic mechanisms can lead to disease




Fundamentals of Chromatin


Book Description

​​​​​​​​​​​​​While there has been an increasing number of books on various aspects of epigenetics, there has been a gap over the years in books that provide a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of chromatin. ​Chromatin is the combination of DNA and proteins that make up the genetic material of chromosomes. Its primary function is to package DNA to fit into the cell, to strengthen the DNA to prevent damage, to allow mitosis and meiosis, and to control the expression of genes and DNA replication. The audience for this book is mainly newly established scientists ​and graduate students. Rather than going into the more specific areas of recent research on chromatin the chapters in this book give a strong, updated groundwork about the topic. Some the fundamentals that this book will cover include the structure of chromatin and biochemistry and the enzyme complexes that manage it.




The Kinetochore:


Book Description

Kinetochores orchestrate the faithful transmission of chromosomes from one generation to the next. Kinetochores were first depicted over 100 years ago, but kinetochore research has progressed by leaps and bounds since the first description of their constituent DNA and proteins in the 1980s. “The Kinetochore: from Molecular Discoveries to Cancer Therapy” presents a thorough up-to-date analysis of kinetochore and centromere composition, formation, regulation, and activity, both in mitosis and meiosis, in humans and “model” eukaryotic species, and at natural and mutant neocentromeres. Recently initiated translational research on kinetochores is also discussed as kinetochores are being mined as a very rich target for the next generations of anti-cancer drugs.




Epigenetics in Plants of Agronomic Importance: Fundamentals and Applications


Book Description

Over the past decades, chromatin remodelling has emerged as an important regulator of gene expression and plant defense. This book provides a detailed understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms involved in plants of agronomic importance. The information presented here is significant because it is expected to provide the knowledge needed to develop in the future treatments to manipulate and selectively activate/inhibit proteins and metabolic pathways to counter pathogens, to treat important diseases and to increase crop productivity. New approaches of this kind and the development of new technologies will certainly increase our knowledge of currently known post-translational modifications and facilitate the understanding of their roles in, for example, host-pathogen interactions and crop productivity. Furthermore, we provide important insight on how the plant epigenome changes in response to developmental or environmental stimuli, how chromatin modifications are established and maintained, to which degree they are used throughout the genome, and how chromatin modifications influence each another.




Chromatin Regulation and Dynamics


Book Description

Chromatin Regulation and Dynamics integrates knowledge on the dynamic regulation of primary chromatin fiber with the 3D nuclear architecture, then connects related processes to circadian regulation of cellular metabolic states, representing a paradigm of adaptation to environmental changes. The final chapters discuss the many ways chromatin dynamics can synergize to fundamentally contribute to the development of complex diseases. Chromatin dynamics, which is strategically positioned at the gene-environment interface, is at the core of disease development. As such, Chromatin Regulation and Dynamics, part of the Translational Epigenetics series, facilitates the flow of information between research areas such as chromatin regulation, developmental biology, and epidemiology by focusing on recent findings of the fast-moving field of chromatin regulation. - Presents and discusses novel principles of chromatin regulation and dynamics with a cross-disciplinary perspective - Promotes crosstalk between basic sciences and their applications in medicine - Provides a framework for future studies on complex diseases by integrating various aspects of chromatin biology with cellular metabolic states, with an emphasis on the dynamic nature of chromatin and stochastic principles - Integrates knowledge on the dynamic regulation of primary chromatin fiber with 3D nuclear architecture, then connects related processes to circadian regulation of cellular metabolic states, representing a paradigm of adaptation to environmental changes




Chromatin Structure and Dynamics


Book Description

Biological processes that replicate, preserve and use the genetic information encoded in DNA must operate in the context of chromatin, a highly organized complex of DNA and proteins. These proteins do not merely package the DNA in the tiny volume of the nucleus, but impart the structure the ability to change according to the requirements of the specific process the DNA is involved in. Moreover, chromatin structure is used by the cell to control the activity of DNA. In this volume the basics of chromatin structure and dynamics are presented by established experts in the field.




Genome Organization And Function In The Cell Nucleus


Book Description

By way of its clear and logical structure, as well as abundant highresolution illustrations, this is a systematic survey of the players and pathways that control genome function in the mammalian cell nucleus. As such, this handbook and reference ties together recently gained knowledge from a variety of scientific disciplines and approaches, dissecting all major genomic events: transcription, replication, repair, recombination and chromosome segregation. A special emphasis is put on transcriptional control, including genome-wide interactions and non-coding RNAs, chromatin structure, epigenetics and nuclear organization. With its focus on fundamental mechanisms and the associated biomolecules, this will remain essential reading for years to come.




DNA Replication


Book Description

This book reviews the latest trends and future directions of DNA replication research. The contents reflect upon the principles that have been established through the genetic and enzymatic studies of bacterial, viral, and cellular replication during the past decades. The book begins with a historical overview of the studies on eukaryotic DNA replication by Professor Thomas Kelly, a pioneer of the field. The following chapters include genome-wide studies of replication origins and initiation factor binding, as well as the timing of DNA replications, mechanisms of initiation, DNA chain elongation and termination of DNA replication, the structural basis of functions of protein complexes responsible for execution of DNA replication, cell cycle-dependent regulation of DNA replication, the nature of replication stress and cells’ strategy to deal with the stress, and finally how all these phenomena are interconnected to genome instability and development of various diseases. By reviewing the existing concepts ranging from the old principles to the newest ideas, the book gives readers an opportunity to learn how the classical replication principles are now being modified and new concepts are being generated to explain how genome DNA replication is achieved with such high adaptability and plasticity. With the development of new methods including cryoelectron microscopy analyses of huge protein complexes, single molecular analyses of initiation and elongation of DNA replication, and total reconstitution of eukaryotic DNA replication with purified factors, the field is enjoying one of its most exciting moments, and this highly timely book conveys that excitement to all interested readers.