When 3D genome technology meets viral infection, including SARS-CoV-2.

Abstract

Mammalian chromosomes undergo varying degrees of compression to form three‐dimensional genome structures. These three‐dimensional structures undergo dynamic and precise chromatin interactions to achieve precise spatial and temporal regulation of gene expression. Most eukaryotic DNA viruses can invade their genomes into the nucleus. However, it is still poorly understood how the viral genome is precisely positioned after entering the host cell nucleus to find the most suitable location and whether it can specifically interact with the host genome to hijack the host transcriptional factories or even integrate into the host genome to complete its transcription and replication rapidly. Chromosome conformation capture technology can reveal long‐range chromatin interactions between different chromosomal sites in the nucleus, potentially providing a reference for viral DNA‐host chromatin interactions. This review summarized the research progress on the three‐dimensional interaction between virus and host genome and the impact of virus integration into the host genome on gene transcription regulation, aiming to provide new insights into chromatin interaction and viral gene transcription regulation, laying the foundation for the treatment of infectious diseases.