Nature Genetics· 2026Q1
Cohesin prevents local mixing of condensed euchromatic domains in living human cells
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- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
Cohesin-mediated loops organize euchromatin into condensed domains, preventing local mixing and maintaining transcriptional insulation in human cells.
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Key points
- Euchromatin forms condensed domains constrained by cohesin-mediated loops in living human cells.
- Cohesin loss increases nucleosome fluidity within these domains without altering overall compaction.
- Loss of cohesin leads to local mixing of domains and compromises transcriptional insulation.
- Transcription machinery is located near the surfaces/borders of condensed euchromatic domains.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
The human genome is folded into chromatin loops by the cohesin complex, forming functional chromatin domains that underlie transcription and DNA replication/repair. However, how cohesin organizes these domains in living cells, especially in active euchromatin, remains elusive. To address this question, we combined single-nucleosome imaging/tracking and super-resolution 3D-structured illumination microscopy (3D-SIM) with euchromatin-specific labeling of histone H3.3. Using this nanoscopic approach, we revealed that euchromatin forms condensed domains that are constrained by cohesin-mediated loops. This organization refines the classical textbook view of euchromatin as largely open, in line with emerging evidence. Transcription machinery appears to be located near the condensed domain surfaces/borders. Cohesin loss increased nucleosome fluidity within these domains without altering their overall compaction, leading to local mixing of domains and compromising transcriptional insulation. These findings uncover an unexpected physical role of cohesin in maintaining the integrity of condensed euchromatic domains and ensuring proper higher-order regulation of gene expression.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Nature Genetics, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Field: Molecular Biology
Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology