Abstract
Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are epigenetic regulators of transcription that have key roles in stem-cell identity, differentiation and disease. Mechanistically, they function within multiprotein complexes, called Polycomb repressive complexes (PRCs), which modify histones (and other proteins) and silence target genes. The dynamics of PRC1 and PRC2 components has been the focus of recent research. Here we discuss our current knowledge of the PRC complexes, how they are targeted to chromatin and how the high diversity of the PcG proteins allows these complexes to influence cell identity.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Nature Structural and Molecular Biology |
Volume | 20 |
Issue number | 10 |
Pages (from-to) | 1147-55 |
Number of pages | 9 |
ISSN | 1545-9993 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Oct 2013 |
Keywords
- Animals
- Cell Differentiation
- Chromatin
- Embryonic Stem Cells
- Evolution, Molecular
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Humans
- Polycomb-Group Proteins
- Transcription, Genetic