Eur. Phys. J. E (2006) 19: 279-290
https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2005-10050-6

Focus Point

Chromatin fiber functional organization: Some plausible models

¹ Laboratoire de Physique Théorique de la Matière Condensée, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 4 Place Jussieu, Case courrier 121, 75252, Paris Cedex 05, France
² IHÉS (Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques), Le Bois-Marie, 35 route de Chartres, 91440, Bures-sur-Yvette, France

^* e-mail: lesne@lptmc.jussieu.fr
^** e-mail: victor@lptmc.jussieu.fr,

Received: 11 August 2005
Accepted: 3 January 2006
Published online: 23 February 2006

Abstract

We here present a modeling study of the chromatin fiber functional organization. Multi-scale modeling is required to unravel the complex interplay between the fiber and the DNA levels. It suggests plausible scenarios, including both physical and biological aspects, for fiber condensation, its targeted decompaction, and transcription regulation. We conclude that a major role of the chromatin fiber structure might be to endow DNA with allosteric potentialities and to control DNA transactions by an epigenetic tuning of its mechanical and topological constraints.