NYC Gazette

A recent study published in Nature Communications unveils intricate connections between gene activity, genome organization, and motion. This research sheds light on the mechanics of transcription-driven motions of genes and their implications for health.

Alexandra Zidovska, a professor of physics at New York University and senior author of the study, states that "the genome is ‘stirred’ by transcription-driven motions of single genes." She elaborates that these movements vary based on whether genes are being read or not, leading to complex motions within the human genome. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for comprehending the genome's role in health and disease.

The study explores how RNA polymerase II, a key molecular motor in transcription, influences DNA movement during gene activation. Researchers used CRISPR technology to label single genes fluorescently and employed high-resolution microscopy to visualize gene movements. They discovered that active genes significantly contribute to genomic stirring. Their analysis showed that low-compaction regions allow active genes to drive genomic motion while high-compaction areas influence gene movement irrespective of activity.

Zidovska highlights the significance of these findings: "By revealing these unexpected connections among gene activity, genome compaction, and genome-wide motions, these findings uncover aspects of the genome’s spatiotemporal organization that directly impact gene regulation and expression."

This research also provides new insights into the physics of living systems. Zidovska observes that "this research provides new insights into the physics of active and living systems," emphasizing its contribution to understanding emergent behaviors in biological contexts.

Contributors to this study include NYU doctoral students Fang-Yi Chu and Alexis S. Clavijo as well as postdoctoral researcher Suho Lee. The project received support from grants provided by several institutions including the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.