Significance of higher-order chromatin architecture for neuronal function and dysfunction

• Higher-order nuclear architecture has profound influence on gene expression.
• Chromosome territories and nuclear lamina are key components of nuclear structure.
• Neuronal nuclear structure changes upon development and plasticity.
• Neuronal nuclear architecture is involved in brain diseases.

Recent studies in neurons indicate that the large-scale chromatin architectural framework, including chromosome territories or lamina-associated chromatin, undergoes dynamic changes that represent an emergent level of regulation of neuronal gene-expression. This phenomenon has been implicated in neuronal differentiation, long-term potentiation, seizures, and disorders of neural plasticity such as Rett syndrome and epilepsy.This article is part of the Special Issue entitled ‘Neuroepigenetic Disorders’.