A view on the structural-functional organization of eukaryotic chromosomes: Once again about chromomeres

The problem of structural and functional units of eukaryotic chromosomes is considered. The results of our studies of elementary chromomeres having th e rosettelike organization are summarized. According to our data, the roset telike structures are the universal chromosomal substructures of animal som atic and meiotic cells. Chromosomal domains of transcriptionally inactive g enes are organized as the rosettelike structures. The mechanism underlying the formation of rosettelike chromatin structures is discussed, including t he specific DNA-protein interaction and the participation of noncanonical D NA forms (H-form).