Molecular mechanism of the 3D genome structure and function regulation during cell terminal differentiation.

The eukaryotic chromatin is folded into highly complex three-dimensional (3D) structures, which plays an important role in the precise regulation of gene expression and normal physiological function. During differentiation and terminal maturation, cells usually undergo dramatic morphology and gene expression changes, accompanied by significant changes in the 3D structure of the genome. In this review, we provide a comprehensive view of the spatial hierarchical organization of the genome, including chromosome territories, A/B compartment, topologically associating domains (TADs) and looping, focusing on recent progresses in the dynamic 3D genomic structural changes and functional regulation during cell differentiation and terminal maturation. In the end, we summarize the unsolved issues as well as prospects of the 3D genome research in cell differentiation and maturation.