Evolution of 3D Chromatin Folding

Studies examining the evolution of genomes have focused mainly on sequence conservation. However, the inner working of a cell implies tightly
regulated crosstalk between complex gene networks controlled by small
dispersed regulatory elements of physically contacting DNA regions. How
these different levels of chromatin organization crosstalk in different species
underpins the potential for genome evolutionary plasticity. We review the
evolution of chromatin organization across the Animal Tree of Life. We
introduce general aspects of the mode and tempo of genome evolution to
later explore the multiple layers of genome organization. We argue that
both genome and chromosome size modulate patterns of chromatin folding
and that chromatin interactions facilitate the formation of lineage-specific
chromosomal reorganizations, especially in germ cells. Overall, analyzing
the mechanistic forces involved in the maintenance of chromatin structure
and function of the germ line is critical for understanding genome evolution,
maintenance, and inheritance.