Mammalian chromodomain proteins: their role in genome organisation and expression

The chromodomain is a highly conserved sequence motif that has been identif ied in a variety of animal and plant species. In mammals, chromodomain prot eins appear to be either structural components of large macromolecular chro matin complexes or proteins involved in remodelling chromatin structure. Re cent work has suggested that apart from a role in regulating gene activity, chromodomain proteins may also play roles in genome organisation. This art icle reviews progress made in characterising mammalian chromodomain protein s and emphasises their emerging role in the regulation of gene expression a nd genome organisation. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.