exploiting-live-imaging-to-track-nuclei-during-myoblast

Exploiting Live Imaging to Track Nuclei During Myoblast Differentiation and Fusion

Nuclear positioning within cells is important for multiple cellular processes in development and regeneration. The most intriguing example of nuclear ...

Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) San Raffaele Scientific Institute

High mobility group (HMG) proteins are chromatin proteins endowed with 'architectural' capabilities. HMGA proteins are moderately sequence-specific, and help build enhanceosomes by interacting with partner proteins and binding stably to the minor groove of DNA; their acetylation/deacetylation signal enhanceosome assembly or disassembly. HMGBs are much more dynamic proteins: they have no sequence specificity, and help transcription factors and other nuclear proteins bind to their cognate sites by bending the DNA molecule. However, HMGBs are rarely retained within the complex. Similarly, HMGBs interact with nucleosomes and promote their sliding, but remain bound only for fractions of a second. We argue that HMGBs fluidize chromatin - an action that appears opposite to that of histone H1.

HMGB proteins and gene expression.

In this review, we aim at describing the results obtained in the past years on dynamics features defining NF-&kappa;B regulatory functions, as we believe that these developments might have a transformative effect on the way in which NF-&kappa;B involvement in cancer is studied. We will also describe technical aspects of the studies performed in this context, including the use of different cellular models, culture conditions, microscopy approaches and quantification of the imaging data, balancing their strengths and limitations and pointing out to common features and to some open questions. Our emphasis in the methodology will allow a critical overview of literature and will show how these cutting-edge approaches can contribute to shed light on the involvement of NF-&kappa;B deregulation in tumour onset and progression. We hypothesize that this &ldquo;dynamic point of view&rdquo; can be fruitfully applied to untangle the complex relationship between NF-&kappa;B and cancer and to find new targets to restrain cancer growth.

Alessandra Agresti

Chromatin Dynamics Unit

Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) San Raffaele Scientific Institute

Exploiting Live Imaging to Track Nuclei During Myoblast Differentiation and Fusion

Alessandra Agresti

.css-o250i3{font-size:18px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;line-height:21.6px;}Chromatin Dynamics Unit

Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) San Raffaele Scientific Institute

Exploiting Live Imaging to Track Nuclei During Myoblast Differentiation and Fusion

Chromatin Dynamics Unit