Institut Curi-PSL Research University, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, UMR3664, F-75005, Paris, France.
Institut Curi-PSL Research University, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, UMR3664, F-75005, Paris, France.
Curr Opin Cell Biol. 2019 Jun;58:105-113. doi: 10.1016/j.ceb.2019.02.005. Epub 2019 Mar 29.
One striking feature of eukaryotic nuclei is the existence of discrete regions, in which specific factors concentrate while others are excluded, thus forming microenvironments with different molecular compositions and biological functions. These domains are often referred to as subcompartments even though they are not membrane enclosed. Despite their functional importance the physical nature of these structures remains largely unknown. Here, we describe how the Saccharomyces cerevisiae nucleus is compartmentalized and discuss possible physical models underlying the formation and maintenance of chromatin associated subcompartments. Focusing on three particular examples, the nucleolus, silencing foci, and repair foci, we discuss the biological implications of these different models as well as possible approaches to challenge them in living cells.
真核细胞核的一个显著特点是存在离散的区域，在这些区域中，特定的因子集中，而其他因子被排除在外，从而形成具有不同分子组成和生物学功能的微环境。这些结构域通常被称为亚区室，尽管它们没有被膜包围。尽管这些结构域具有重要的功能，但它们的物理性质在很大程度上仍然未知。在这里，我们描述了酿酒酵母细胞核是如何分隔的，并讨论了形成和维持与染色质相关的亚区室的可能的物理模型。我们重点讨论了三个特定的例子：核仁、沉默焦点和修复焦点，讨论了这些不同模型的生物学意义，以及在活细胞中挑战这些模型的可能方法。
