[Epigenetics of specific chromosome regions]

Investigation of protein complexes, various types of protein modifications and the structure of the chromatin of specific chromosome regions, such as centromeres, telomeres, and adjacent heterochromatic regions, considerably complicated the notion on DNA, prevailing five decades ago, as molecules that exclusively control coding and realization of genetic information. Striking plasticity of the primary structure of centromeric and telomeric DNA suggests a variety of molecular mechanisms underlying fundamental and universal functions of these key chromosome regions. The present review is an attempt to consider the current concepts on the structure of the DNA and protein components, as well as the structure of the chromatin of specific chromosome regions in eukaryotes, and the concerted evolution of these components, leading to the formation of a hierarchy of coordinated DNA-protein complexes.