Chromatin associated protein, PC4 in genome organization and breast cancer manifestation

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.