Cited by 466Genomics and Chromatin DynamicsChromosomal and Genetic VariationsNuclear Structure and Function

Chromatin Architecture Emerges during Zygotic Genome Activation Independent of Transcription

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Hug, Clemens B., Grimaldi, Alexis G., Kruse, Kai, Vaquerizas, Juan M.·2017·Cell

Abstract

Chromatin architecture is fundamental in regulating gene expression. To investigate when spatial genome organization is first established during development, we examined chromatin conformation during Drosophila embryogenesis and observed the emergence of chromatin architecture within a tight time window that coincides with the onset of transcription activation in the zygote. Prior to zygotic genome activation, the genome is mostly unstructured. Early expressed genes serve as nucleation sites for topologically associating domain (TAD) boundaries. Activation of gene expression coincides with the establishment of TADs throughout the genome and co-localization of housekeeping gene clusters, which remain stable in subsequent stages of development. However, the appearance of TAD boundaries is independent of transcription and requires the transcription factor Zelda for locus-specific TAD boundary insulation. These results offer insight into when spatial organization of the genome emerges and identify a key factor that helps trigger this architecture.

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  • In the developing Drosophila embryo, enhancer-promoter loops are formed before TADs, and likely also precede the onset of zygotic transcription.

    “in the developing Drosophila embryo, enhancer–promoter loops are formed before TADs, and likely also precede the onset of zygotic transcription [453, 454].”

    From Transcriptional enhancers and their communication with gene promoters (2021) · cites this paper as [454]

    The Results report detecting enhancer–promoter loops in 3–4 and 6–8 hpf Drosophila embryos. The Introduction and Results place widespread TAD formation around zygotic genome activation, but do not establish that enhancer–promoter loops formed before TADs or before zygotic transcription began. No page numbers are available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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Sorted by citations

Authors
Hug, C. B., Grimaldi, A. G., Kruse, K., & Vaquerizas, J. M.
Affiliations
Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine (DE)
Corresponding author
Vaquerizas, Juan M.
Venue
Cell
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2017-04
Volume
169
Issue
2
Pages
216-228.e19
ISSN
0092-8674 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2604200375
Cited by
466
References
16
Citations by year
2026: 28 · 2025: 32 · 2024: 32 · 2023: 43 · 2022: 49 · 2021: 65 · 2020: 58 · 2019: 66 · 2018: 59 · 2017: 34
FWCI
24.25
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cell (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Max Planck Society
  • International Max Planck Research School – Molecular Biomedicine
  • NIH (P40OD018537)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Nuclear Structure and Function
Keywords
chromatin structure, zygotic genome activation, topologically associating domains, TAD boundaries, chromatin conformation, Drosophila embryogenesis, Zelda, transcription factors, spatial genome organization, gene expression regulation
MeSH terms
Animals, Chromatin, Drosophila melanogaster, Embryo, Nonmammalian, Nuclear Proteins, RNA Polymerase II, Time Factors, Transcription Factors, Transcription, Genetic, Zygote, Transcriptional Activation, Genes, Essential, Drosophila Proteins, Genome, Insect

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