ИСТИНА

Three-dimensional chromatin organization plays a key role in transcription regulation by enabling physical interactions between regulatory elements. One of the best-characterized examples of such regulation is the β-globin gene cluster, where interactions between the locus control region (LCR) and gene promoters ensure stage-specific expression during erythroid differentiation. Similar regulatory principles may underlie the organization of other paralogous gene clusters, such as the human keratin gene cluster (12q13.13). Although several putative LCR-like elements have been previously identified within the keratin gene locus, their functional role and contribution to gene regulation remain unclear.