The molecular basis for stability of heterochromatin-mediated silencing in mammals.

ABSTRACT: The archetypal epigenetic phenomenon of position effect variegation (PEV) in Drosophila occurs when a gene is brought abnormally close to heterochromatin, resulting in stochastic silencing of the affected gene in a proportion of cells that would normally express it. PEV has been instrumental in unraveling epigenetic mechanisms. Using an in vivo mammalian model for PEV we have extensively investigated the molecular basis for heterochromatin-mediated gene silencing. Here we distinguish 'epigenetic effects' from other cellular differences by studying ex vivo cells that are identical, apart from the expression of the variegating gene which is silenced in a proportion of the cells. By separating cells according to transgene expression we show here that silencing appears to be associated with hi

SUBMITTER: Hiragami-Hamada K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2779788 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature