Lateral Chromatin Interactions

Lateral chromatin interactions refer to the physical contacts between different regions of DNA within the same chromosome, often facilitated by specific proteins. These interactions help organize the chromosome’s structure, influencing how genes are accessed and regulated. By bringing distant parts of the DNA into close proximity, lateral interactions can enhance or repress gene activity, contributing to processes like cell differentiation and response to signals. Overall, they play a critical role in maintaining the three-dimensional architecture of the genome, which is essential for normal cellular function and gene expression regulation.