Taddei Angela, Hediger Florence, Neumann Frank R, Gasser Susan M
University of Geneva, Department of Molecular Biology, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland.
Annu Rev Genet. 2004;38:305-45. doi: 10.1146/annurev.genet.37.110801.142705.
Eukaryotic genomes are distributed on linear chromosomes that are grouped together in the nucleus, an organelle separated from the cytoplasm by a characteristic double membrane studded with large proteinaceous pores. The chromatin within chromosomes has an as yet poorly characterized higher-order structure, but in addition to this, chromosomes and specific subchromosomal domains are nonrandomly positioned in nuclei. This review examines functional implications of the long-range organization of the genome in interphase nuclei. A rigorous test of the physiological importance of nuclear architecture is achieved by introducing mutations that compromise both structure and function. Focussing on such genetic approaches, we address general concepts of interphase nuclear order, the role of the nuclear envelope (NE) and lamins, and finally the importance of spatial organization for DNA replication and heritable gene expression.
真核生物基因组分布在线性染色体上，这些染色体聚集在细胞核中。细胞核是一种细胞器，通过布满大型蛋白质孔的特征性双层膜与细胞质分隔开。染色体中的染色质具有一种尚未得到充分表征的高级结构，但除此之外，染色体和特定的亚染色体区域在细胞核中呈非随机定位。本综述探讨了间期细胞核中基因组远程组织的功能意义。通过引入破坏结构和功能的突变，可对核结构的生理重要性进行严格测试。聚焦于此类遗传学方法，我们阐述了间期核秩序的一般概念、核膜（NE）和核纤层蛋白的作用，最后阐述了空间组织对DNA复制和可遗传基因表达的重要性。
