Abstract
A large fraction of genes in the mammalian genome is repressed in every cell throughout development. Here, we propose that this long-term silencing is carried out by distinct molecular mechanisms that operate in a global manner and, once established, can be maintained autonomously through DNA replication. Both individually and in combination these mechanisms bring about repression, mainly by lowering gene accessibility through closed chromatin structures.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge the support of the US National Institutes of Health, the Israel Science Foundation, the Israel Cancer Research Fund, the Belfer Foundation and the Rosetrees Trust.
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Glossary
- CpG ISLAND
-
A DNA region of >500 bp that has a high CpG density and is usually unmethylated. CpG islands are found upstream of many mammalian genes.
- GASTRULATION
-
A morphogenetic process in vertebrate embryogenesis during which the endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm germ layers are formed.
- MORULA
-
A pre-implantation embryo that consists of a solid cluster of cells.
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Lande-Diner, L., Cedar, H. Silence of the genes — mechanisms of long-term repression. Nat Rev Genet 6, 648–654 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrg1639
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrg1639
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