Noisy silence: non-coding RNA and heterochromatin formation at repetitive elements

A significant fraction of eukaryotic genomes comprises repetitive sequences, including rRNA genes, centromeres, telomeres, and retrotransposons. Repetitive elements are hotspots for recombination and represent a serious challenge for genome integrity. Maintaining these repeated elements in a compact...

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Hauptverfasser: Bierhoff, Holger (VerfasserIn) , Poste̜pska-Igielska, Anna (VerfasserIn) , Grummt, Ingrid (VerfasserIn)
Dokumenttyp: Article (Journal)
Sprache:Englisch
Veröffentlicht: 2014
In: Epigenetics
Year: 2013, Jahrgang: 9, Heft: 1, Pages: 53-61
ISSN:1559-2308
DOI:10.4161/epi.26485
Online-Zugang:Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.4161/epi.26485
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Verfasserangaben:Holger Bierhoff, Anna Postepska-Igielska & Ingrid Grummt
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:A significant fraction of eukaryotic genomes comprises repetitive sequences, including rRNA genes, centromeres, telomeres, and retrotransposons. Repetitive elements are hotspots for recombination and represent a serious challenge for genome integrity. Maintaining these repeated elements in a compact heterochromatic structure suppresses recombination and unwanted mutagenic transposition, and is therefore indispensable for genomic stability. Paradoxically, repetitive elements are not transcriptionally inert, but produce RNA that has important functions in regulating and reinforcing the heterochromatic state. Here, we review the role of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) in recruiting chromatin-modifying enzymes to repetitive genomic loci to establish a repressive chromatin structure that safeguards chromosome integrity and genome stability.
Beschreibung:Published online: 11 October 2013
Gesehen am 11.12.2020
Beschreibung:Online Resource
ISSN:1559-2308
DOI:10.4161/epi.26485