Fig 1.
Highlighting the major factors in nuclear architecture.
Although many processes are involved in nuclear architecture, we highlight here some of the major factors, ranging from chromosome [TADs, Chromosomal region] to gene [Histone acetylation, histone methylation, lncRNA recruiting proteins] organization. It should be noted here that much of the knowledge regarding nuclear architecture organization has been learned from complex eukaryotic cells, and these processes may or may not be present in all infectious disease agents. Figure created with biorender.com. lncRNA, long noncoding RNA; TAD, topologically associating domain.
Fig 2.
A quick overview of the Hi-C chromatin capture procedure is described here. Proteins are cross linked with DNA, holding together sections of the chromatin that are in close proximity to one another. Enzymatic digestion and biotinylation separate genetic segments and tag them for later pull down. Ligation then connects the pieces of DNA near one another, which allows for hybrid DNA to be sheared, pulled down, and prepared for sequencing.
Fig 3.
Life cycle of Plasmodium species and visual representations of VRSM genes in P. falciparum.
[A] The life cycle of the Plasmodium species through its 2 hosts, mosquito and human stages. Note that in P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. knowlesi, the parasite can exhibit dormant hypnozoites stage in the liver. [B] The nuclear organization of 2 representative stages [trophozoite and schizont] of P. falciparum is shown with euchromatin and heterochromatin form, respectively. At the trophozoite stage, open chromatin structure allows for intensive transcription, while the majority of var genes that cluster together are repressed. During the schizont stage, more compact chromatin structure decreases overall transcription with the exception of gene involved in red blood cell invasion. For both stages, centromeres and telomeres tend to cluster with each other respectively. Figure created with biorender.com.
Fig 4.
Host nuclear architecture involved in proviral infection.
Viral RNA enters the nucleus and integrates into the host genome, typically in the intron of actively transcribed genes. Recruitment of methyltransferases and HATs on host’s nuclear architecture promotes viral proliferation, while inhibition of DNMTs, HDACs, and histone marks creates a similar effect. Figure created with biorender.com. DNMT, DNA methyltransferase; HAT, histone acetyltransferase; HDAC, histone deacetylase.