Nuclear body movement is determined by chromatin accessibility and dynamics

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2004 Sep 7;101(36):13221-6. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0402958101. Epub 2004 Aug 26.

Abstract

Promyelocytic leukemia (PML) and Cajal bodies are mobile subnuclear organelles, which are involved in activities like RNA processing, transcriptional regulation, and antiviral defense. A key parameter in understanding their biological functions is their mobility. The diffusion properties of PML and Cajal bodies were compared with a biochemically inactive body formed by aggregates of murine Mx1 by using single-particle tracking methods. The artificial Mx1-yellow fluorescent protein body showed a very similar mobility compared with PML and Cajal bodies. The data are described quantitatively by a mechanism of nuclear body movement consisting of two components: diffusion of the body within a chromatin corral and its translocation resulting from chromatin diffusion. This finding suggests that the body mobility reflects the dynamics and accessibility of the chromatin environment, which might target bodies to specific nuclear subcompartments where they exert their biological function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism
  • Cell Nucleus / physiology*
  • Chromatin / physiology*
  • Coiled Bodies / physiology*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Proteins / physiology*
  • Nuclear Proteins / physiology*
  • Promyelocytic Leukemia Protein
  • Transcription Factors / physiology*
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Promyelocytic Leukemia Protein
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • PML protein, human
  • Adenosine Triphosphate