A random-walk/giant-loop model for interphase chromosomes.

Sachs, R K; van den Engh, G; Trask, B; Yokota, H; Hearst, J E · Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A · 1995

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Fluorescence in situ hybridization data on distances between defined genomic sequences are used to construct a quantitative model for the overall geometric structure of a human chromosome. We suggest that the large-scale geometry during the G0/G1 part of the cell cycle may consist of flexible chromatin loops, averaging approximately 3 million bp, with a random-walk backbone. A fully explicit, three-parametric polymer model of this random-walk/giant-loop structure can account well for the data. More general models consistent with the data are briefly discussed.

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