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Heterochromatin: condense or excise

Nature Cell Biology volume 9, pages 19–20 (2007)Cite this article

In eukaryotes, condensing chromosomal DNA into heterochromatin is important for gene silencing and proper chromosome segregation. A recent study suggests a function for heterochromatin in protecting highly repeated genes and satellite DNA against excision caused by recombination or by joining of free DNA ends following DNA damage.

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Figure 1: RNAi-dependent effects on heterochromatin and genome architecture.

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  1. Department, Washington University, Campus Box 1137, One Brookings Drive, St Louis, 63130, MO, USA

    Craig Pikaard & Olga Pontes

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  1. Craig Pikaard
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  2. Olga Pontes
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Pikaard, C., Pontes, O. Heterochromatin: condense or excise. Nat Cell Biol 9, 19–20 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncb0107-19

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