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Each human somatic cell contains 6 billion base-pairs of DNA. Each base-pair is 0.34 nm long, which means that each diploid cell contains a staggering 2 meters of DNA. How is such a long DNA strand packed inside a nucleus measuring only 10 - 20 microns in diameter? 
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Chromatin Isolation by RNA Purification ChIRP
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Architectural RNA in chromatin organization.

Jitendra Thakur1, Steven Henikoff1,2

  • 1Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, U.S.A.

Biochemical Society Transactions
|September 8, 2020
PubMed
Summary

RNA acts as an architectural molecule in organizing chromatin, recruiting proteins to modify it. Studies using Ribonuclease A (RNase A) suggest RNA plays a direct role in chromatin organization.

Keywords:
architectural RNAchromatincompactionheterochromatinnuclear bodiesphase separation

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics
  • Genomics

Background:

  • RNA is known for its architectural role in nuclear body formation.
  • A less explored function of RNA involves organizing chromatin by recruiting modifier proteins.
  • Distinguishing RNA's architectural from its regulatory role in chromatin is challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evidence for RNA's architectural role in chromatin organization.
  • To discuss candidate long non-coding RNAs involved in chromatin architecture.
  • To explore potential mechanisms of RNA-mediated chromatin organization.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on RNA and chromatin organization.
  • Analysis of studies employing in situ RNA depletion with Ribonuclease A (RNase A).

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests RNA plays a significant, direct architectural role in chromatin organization.
  • Specific long non-coding RNAs are identified as potential chromatin architectural elements.

Conclusions:

  • RNA is implicated as a key architectural component in chromatin organization.
  • RNA, in conjunction with RNA-binding proteins, likely mediates chromatin structural functions.