Unraveling the interplay of DNA methylation and chromosome organization

Eukaryotic DNA has been covalently modified by DNA methylation and folded into a three-dimensional conformation in the nucleus. While the functions of DNA methylation and chromosome organization have been widely discussed, respectively, the interplay between DNA methylation and chromosome organization remains less clear and needs to be further explained. In this review, we first discuss the cross-talk between DNA methylation and chromosome conformation, highlighting the complexity and importance of DNA methylation on chromosome organization. We also summarize the current methodologies that capture DNA methylation and chromosome organization individually or simultaneously in bulk and single cells. These mechanistic and methodological advancements facilitate broad interest in unveiling the interplay between DNA methylation and chromosome organization.