Roles of Chromatin insulators in gene regulation and diseases

With advances in genetic science, the dynamic structure of eukaryotic genome isconsidered as basis of gene expression regulation. long-distance communicationbetween regulatory elements and target promoters is critical and the mechanismsresponsible for this connection are just starting to emerge. chromatin insulatorsare key determinants of proper gene regulation and precise organization ofchromosomal structures. these elements are dna-protein complexes which canmediate interactions within and between chromosomes. in doing so, they can bringclose together regulatory sequences located at large distances from each other. inaddition, insulators may be important in remodeling the architecture of chromosomesin the cell cycle. here, we review recent data revealing the structure and propertiesof these dna-protein complexes, their global role in regulation of transcription,and the mechanisms by which misregulation of their function leads to varioushuman diseases such as cancers and autoimmune diseases.