Unphosphorylated STAT and heterochromatin protect genome stability.

ABSTRACT: Heterochromatin is a form of highly compacted chromatin associated with epigenetic gene silencing and chromosome organization. We have previously shown that unphosphorylated nuclear signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) physically interacts with heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) to promote heterochromatin stability. To understand whether STAT and heterochromatin are important for maintenance of genome stability, we genetically manipulated the levels of unphosphorylated STAT and HP1 [encoded by Su(var)205] in Drosophila and examined the effects on chromosomal morphology and resistance to DNA damage under conditions of genotoxic stress. Here we show that, compared with wild-type controls, Drosophila mutants with reduced levels of unphosphorylated STAT or heterochromatin are m

SUBMITTER: Yan SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3005427 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature