Gene positioning and regulation of nuclear architecture are thought to influence gene expression. Here, we show that, in mouse olfactory neurons, silent olfactory receptor (OR) genes from different chromosomes converge in a small number of heterochromatic foci. These foci are OR exclusive and form in a cell-type-specific and differentiation-dependent manner. The aggregation of OR genes is developmentally synchronous with the downregulation of lamin b receptor (LBR) and can be reversed by ectopic expression of LBR in mature olfactory neurons. LBR-induced reorganization of nuclear architecture and disruption of OR aggregates perturbs the singularity of OR transcription and disrupts the targeting specificity of the olfactory neurons. Our observations propose spatial sequestering of heterochromatinized OR family members as a basis of monogenic and monoallelic gene expression.
Pubmed ID: 23141535 RIS Download
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Software tool for visualizing, manipulating, and understanding data from tomography, microscopy, MRI and other imaging processes.Used to import and export options, to processes 3D image filtering and DTI based fiber tracking to visualization, volume and surface rendering, author tools for virtual reality navigation, video generation, and more.
View all literature mentionsSoftware tool for visualizing, manipulating, and understanding data from tomography, microscopy, MRI and other imaging processes.Used to import and export options, to processes 3D image filtering and DTI based fiber tracking to visualization, volume and surface rendering, author tools for virtual reality navigation, video generation, and more.
View all literature mentions