RNAi and Epigenetic Control of Higher-Order Chromatin Assembly

Division Of Basic Sciences - Nci

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Abstract

Our lab has discovered two distinct RNA-based mechanisms that direct the assembly of heterochromatin. We have described the role of the RNAi machinery and small RNAs in targeting heterochromatin (named "Breakthrough of the Year 2002" by Science magazine). We have also uncovered an RNAi-independent mechanism in which a nuclear RNA processing complex (named MTREC) cooperates with RNA polymerase II termination factors to direct the assembly of facultative heterochromatin domains under specific growth conditions. We are continuing to investigate mechanisms of heterochromatin assembly that are expected to have major implications for understanding gene regulatory processes in higher eukaryotes with implications for understanding how cancer cells can reactivate silenced tumor suppressor genes.