[The progress in the study of chromatin insulator]

Chromatin insulators, which define domains of transcriptional autonomy, are cis-acting elements of eukaryotes. They are located at the boundaries of differentially regulated genes and delimit their interactions by establishing independent chromatin structures. They can block chromosomal enhancers or silencers if they are located between promoters and enhancers or silencers, and protect against position effect. Recent studies focus on elucidating the molecular mechanism of insulator functions. Loop Model is the most predominant hypothesis while others are assumed. Study progress in this field sheds new light on the regulation of gene expression.