Organization of chromatin in cancer cells: role of signalling pathways

The role of mechanical and chemical signalling pathways in the organization and function of chromatin is the subject of this review. The mechanical signalling pathway consists of the tissue matrix system that links together the three-dimensional skeletal networks, the extracellular matrix, cytoskeleton, and nuclear matrix. Intermediate filament proteins are associated with nuclear DNA, suggesting that intermediate filaments may have a role in the organization of chromatin. In human hormone-dependent breast cancer cells, the interaction between cytokeratins and chromatin is regulated by estrogens. Transcription factors, histone acetyltransferases, and histone deacetylases, which are associated with the nuclear matrix, are components of the mechanical signalling pathway. Recently, we reported that nuclear matrix-bound human and chicken histone deacetylase 1 is associated with nuclear DNA in situ, suggesting that histone deacetylase has a role in the organization of nuclear DNA. Chemical signalling pathways such as the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase (Ras/MAPK) pathway stimulate the activity of kinases that modify transcription factors, nonhistone chromosomal proteins, and histones. The levels of phosphorylated histones are increased in mouse fibroblasts transformed with oncogenes, the products of which stimulate the Ras/MAPK pathway. Histone phosphorylation may lead to decondensation of chromatin, resulting in aberrant gene expression.