REVIEW: Heterochromatin Formation: Role of Short RNAs and DNA Methylation¹

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M. S. Klenov^* and V. A. Gvozdev

Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, pl. Kurchatova 2, 123182 Moscow, Russia; fax: (7-095) 196-0221; E-mail: klenov@img.ras.ru

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

¹This paper was written in honor of the anniversary of B. F. Vanyushin (see special issue of Biochemistry (Moscow) (2005) 70, No. 5), a pioneer in studies on DNA methylation. In the 1960-1970s, he found variations in DNA methylation during development and also association of this process with tumorigenesis.

Received March 5, 2005

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The role of small double-stranded RNAs is considered in formation of silent chromatin structure. Small RNAs are implicated in the regulation of individual gene transcription, suppression of transposon expression, and in maintaining functional structure of extended heterochromatic regions. Interrelations between short RNA-dependent gene silencing, histone modifications, and DNA methylation are discussed. Specific features of RNA-induced chromatin repression in various eucaryotes are also described.

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KEY WORDS: heterochromatin, RNA interference, double-stranded RNA, short RNAs, gene silencing, DNA methylation, transposons

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