Interplay between regulatory elements and chromatin topology in cellular lineage determination

Cellular lineage determination is controlled by combinations of lineage-selective transcription factors (TFs) and associated coregulators that bind to cis-regulatory elements in DNA and regulate gene expression. The ability of these factors to regulate transcription is determined not only by their cooperativity, but also by biochemical and structural properties of the chromatin, sculpting higher-order genome organization. Here, we review recent advances in the understanding of the interplay between chromatin topology and transcription. Studies from many different fields, including adipocyte lineage determination, indicate that lineage determination and differentiation are dependent on elaborate crosstalk between cis-regulatory elements, leading to the formation of transcriptional hubs. Chromatin topology appears to provide a dynamic and supportive, rather than a deterministic, scaffold for this crosstalk.