An ambitious EC-funded research initiative on epigenetics advancing towards systems biology

Three-dimensional genome architecture emerges as important component of gene regulation. Chromatin insulator elements, originally discovered for their ability to block enhancer-promoter communications, play a key role in bringing parts of the genome together thereby shaping its architecture. Much of our knowledge regarding the proteins involved in the insulator function comes from research in Drosophila where a number of insulator proteins were described. Regrettably of those CTCF remains the only known insulator protein in the mouse and human genomes. Our recent genome-wide characterization of the nature and function of insulator protein binding sites in Drosophila indicate the existence of a previously undiscovered major class of insulator elements. These insulators operate through Centrosomal Protein 190 and a set of uncharacterized protein factors. As part of EpiGeneSys network we will undertake a comprehensive screen to identify these factors, assess their genomic role and attempt initial characterization of their mammalian orthologs.

Personnel involved in EpiGeneSys funded project:

• Mikhail Savitskiy – Postdoc
• Eshagh (Isaac) Dorafshan - PhD student