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Heterochromatin: A Critical Part of the Genome

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Fundamentals of Chromatin

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Abstract

Heterochromatin represents highly condensed portions of the genome that are located near centromeres and telomeres of chromosomes. Once thought to be merely “junk DNA”, heterochromatin is now recognized as an important part of the genome that possesses many functions. Heterochromatin is distinguished from the gene-rich euchromatin by a high concentration of repetitive DNA sequences, including transposons and is marked by specific histone posttranslational modifications and distinct nonhistone chromosomal proteins. Heterochromatin is required for proper chromosome segregation and maintenance of silencing. Loss of heterochromatin leads to the inappropriate activation of genes, including transposable elements, which contribute to genomic instability in diseases such as cancer.

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Abbreviations

bp:

Base pairs

CLRC:

Clr4-Rik1-Cul4 complex

DNA:

Deoxyribonucleic acid

dsRNA:

Double-stranded RNA

E(var) :

Enhancer of variegation

FISH:

Fluorescence in situ hybridization

H3K4me:

Methylated lysine 4 of histone H3

H3K9me:

Methylated lysine 9 of histone H3

HP1a:

Heterochromatin protein 1a

HS:

DNase I hypersensitive site

IGF2 :

Insulin-like growth factor 2

LADs:

Lamin-associated domains

LBR:

Lamin B receptor

PEV:

Position effect variegation

piRNA:

Piwi-interacting RNA

RITS:

RNA-induced transcriptional silencing complex

RNA:

Ribonucleic acid

rRNA:

Ribosomal RNA

siRNA:

Short interfering RNA

Su(var) :

Suppressor of variegation

Swi6:

Switch 6, an HPla homologue

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa, 3136 MERF, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA

    Lori L. Wallrath

  2. Department of Biology, St. Ambrose University, 518 W. Locust Street, Lewis Hall 211D, Davenport, IA, 52803, USA

    Michael W. Vitalini

  3. Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, McDonnell Hall 131, Campus Box 1137, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130-4899, USA

    Sarah C. R. Elgin

Authors
  1. Lori L. Wallrath
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  2. Michael W. Vitalini
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  3. Sarah C. R. Elgin
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Correspondence to Lori L. Wallrath .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri, USA

    Jerry L. Workman

  2. Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri, USA

    Susan M. Abmayr

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Wallrath, L.L., Vitalini, M.W., Elgin, S.C.R. (2014). Heterochromatin: A Critical Part of the Genome. In: Workman, J., Abmayr, S. (eds) Fundamentals of Chromatin. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8624-4_13

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