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PMID: 18372168 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Review

Epigenetic regulation of heterochromatic DNA stability.

Current opinion in genetics & development ·Vol. 18 ·No. 2 ·2008-04-00 ·Pages 204-11

Peng JC, Karpen GH

Abstract

In this review we summarize recent studies that demonstrate the importance of epigenetic mechanisms for maintaining genome integrity, specifically with respect to repeated DNAs within heterochromatin. Potential problems that arise during replication, recombination, and repair of repeated sequences are counteracted by post-translational histone modifications and associated proteins, including the cohesins. These factors appear to ensure repeat stability by multiple mechanisms: suppressing homologous recombination, controlling the three-dimensional organization of damaged repeats to reduce the probability of aberrant recombination, and promoting the use of less problematic repair pathways. The presence of such systems may facilitate repeat and chromosome evolution, and their failure can lead to genome instability, chromosome rearrangements, and the onset of pathogenesis.

MeSH Terms
Animals Biological Evolution Cell Nucleus/genetics DNA/genetics Epigenesis, Genetic/genetics Heterochromatin/genetics Humans Tandem Repeat Sequences
Chemicals
Heterochromatin DNA
Authors & Affiliations
2 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Peng Jamy C
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab/UC Berkeley, Department of Genome Biology, One Cyclotron Road, MS 84R0171, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States.
Karpen Gary H
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Article Info
Journal
Current opinion in genetics & development
Abbr.
Curr Opin Genet Dev
ISSN
0959-437X
DOI
10.1016/j.gde.2008.01.021
Published
2008-04-00
Epub
2008-00-26
Pages
204-11
Language
English
Region
England
NLM ID
9111375
PMCID
PMC2814359
Subset
IM
Grants
NHGRI NIH HHS · R01HG00747 · United States
NIGMS NIH HHS · R01 GM061169-04 · United States
NIGMS NIH HHS · R01 GM066272 · United States
NIGMS NIH HHS · R01 GM061169 · United States
NHGRI NIH HHS · R01 HG000747 · United States
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2008.01.021 PMC Full Text View journal details
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