Spatial segregation of heterochromatin: Uncovering functionality in a multicellular organism.

Multiple layers of regulation are required to ensure appropriate patterns of gene expression for accurate cell differentiation. Interphase chromatin is non-randomly distributed within the nucleus, with highly compacted, transcriptionally silent heterochromatin enriched at the nuclear and nucleolar periphery. Whether this spatial organization serves a function in organismal physiology, rather than simply being a byproduct of chromatin metabolism, is a fundamental question.

Transcriptional regulation of tenascin genes.

Extracellular matrix proteins of the tenascin family resemble each other in their domain structure, and also share functions in modulating cell adhesion and cellular responses to growth factors. Despite these common features, the 4 vertebrate tenascins exhibit vastly different expression patterns. Tenascin-R is specific to the central nervous system.