Computational Biology in the Analysis of Epigenetic Nuclear Self-Organization

Abstract

The function of the nucleus is central to the survival of cells and thus life as a whole. Among other processes, it is the site of gene expression, DNA repair, and genome stability. These functions are carried in the context of a complex nuclear architecture. The nucleus is compartmentalized both spatially and functionally. These compartments are proteinaceous nuclear bodies or chromatin domains, both of which are not segregated from other compartments by membranes-as are the organelles of cells. Specifically, proteinaceous nuclear bodies are characterized as regions within the nucleus with distinct sets of inhabitant proteins. Examples of such proteinaceous nuclear bodies include the nucleolus, splicing factor compartments, and the Cajal body. The nucleolus is the location of the transcription and processing of ribosomal RNA and the Cajal body is the site of snRNP assembly, while the splicing factor compartments are a storage and assembly site for spliceosomal components.