Old cells, new tricks: chromatin structure in senescence

Abstract

Cellular senescence is a stable form of cell cycle arrest with roles in many pathophysiological processes including development, tissue repair, cancer, and aging. Senescence does not represent a single entity but rather a heterogeneous phenotype that depends on the trigger and cell type of origin. Such heterogeneous features include alterations to chromatin structure and epigenetic states. New technologies are beginning to unravel the distinct mechanisms regulating chromatin structure during senescence. Here, we describe the multiple levels of chromatin organization associated with senescence: global and focal, linear, and higher order.