Abstract:
The eukaryotic genome possesses hierarchical order of chromatin organization. The state of
chromatin and its transcriptional competency is dictated by epigenetic bookmarks.
Accessibility of DNA within chromatin plays a pivotal role in fundamental processes of life
such as transcription, replication, recombination and repair. There appears to be integrating
complex signalling networks associated with these events, where multi-protein complexes
associate with specific genomic locations in structurally ordered and time-dependent fashion.
Non-histone chromatin associated proteins (CAPs) are the major class of proteins, which
influence the intrinsic dynamics of chromatin fibres. CAPs impart their own topological
affects and thus regulate the accessibility of the underlying DNA. These CAPs also interact
with other proteins and effect chromatin organization and gene expression. Post-translational
modifications of these proteins are known to modulate their functions. Studies have shown that altered expression of some non-histone proteins is associated with developmental
abnormalities and diseases.
