Flynn RA, Chang HY. Active chromatin and noncoding RNAs: an intimate relationship. Curr Opin Genet Dev. 2012 Apr; 22(2):172-8.

Citation

Flynn RA, Chang HY. 2012. Active chromatin and noncoding RNAs: an intimate relationship. Current opinion in genetics & development. 22(2):172-8. Pubmed: 22154525 DOI:10.1016/j.gde.2011.11.002

Abstract

Eukaryotic genomes are packaged into chromatin, where diverse histone modifications can demarcate chromatin domains that facilitate or block gene expression. While silent chromatin has been associated with long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) for some time, new studies suggest that noncoding RNAs also modulate the active chromatin state. Divergent, antisense, and enhancer-like intergenic noncoding RNAs can either activate or repress gene expression by altering histone H3 lysine 4 methylation. An emerging class of enhancer-like lncRNAs may link chromosome structure to chromatin state and establish active chromatin domains. The confluence of several new technologies promises to rapidly expand this fascinating topic of investigation.

Related Faculty

Ryan Flynn, M.D., Ph.D.

Flynn Lab

Ryan Flynn’s laboratory is focused on the exploration and discovery of how biopolymers like RNA and glycans work together to control cellular processes in the context of human disease.