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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 14, 2026

3D Multicolor DNA FISH Tool to Study Nuclear Architecture in Human Primary Cells

3D Multicolor DNA FISH Tool to Study Nuclear Architecture in Human Primary Cells

Published on: January 25, 2020

Identical cells with different 3D genomes; cause and consequences?

Peter H L Krijger¹, Wouter de Laat

¹Hubrecht Institute-KNAW & University Medical Center Utrecht, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT Urecht, The Netherlands.

Current Opinion in Genetics & Development

|February 19, 2013

Summary

Mammalian genomes fold into domains to regulate gene expression. Cell-specific DNA contacts, explained by the "dog-on-a-lead" model, lead to varied gene expression even in identical cells.

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Area of Science:

Genomics
Molecular Biology
Epigenetics

Background:

The mammalian genome is organized into topological domains, crucial for regulating gene expression.
Gene expression control involves spatial arrangement of DNA elements like enhancers and promoters.
Cell-specific, long-range DNA contacts occur beyond established topological domains.

Purpose of the Study:

To propose a model explaining cell-specific remote DNA contacts.
To understand the principles and consequences of these dynamic genomic interactions.
To investigate how cell-specific genome topologies influence gene expression variability.

Main Methods:

Development of the "dog-on-a-lead" model.
Theoretical analysis of genome folding and long-range interactions.
Computational modeling of cell-specific chromatin dynamics.

Main Results:

The "dog-on-a-lead" model provides a framework for understanding remote DNA contacts.
Cell-specific genome topologies are a plausible mechanism for gene expression variation.
Identical cells can exhibit distinct gene expression patterns due to unique genome folding.

Conclusions:

Cell-specific genome topology is a key factor in generating cell-to-cell expression heterogeneity.
The proposed model offers insights into the functional significance of dynamic genome organization.
Understanding these principles is crucial for fields ranging from developmental biology to disease research.