Transcription of tandemly repetitive DNA: functional roles

A considerable fraction of the eukaryotic genome is made up of satellite DNA constituted of tandemly repeated sequences. These elements are mainly located at centromeres, pericentromeres, and telomeres and are major components of constitutive heterochromatin. Although originally satellite DNA was th...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Chromosome research 2015-09, Vol.23 (3), p.463-477
Main Authors: Biscotti, Maria Assunta, Canapa, Adriana, Forconi, Mariko, Olmo, Ettore, Barucca, Marco
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal Genetics and Genomics
Animals
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Cell Biology
Centromere - genetics
Chromatin
DNA
DNA, Satellite
Eukaryota - genetics
Eukaryotes
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
Genomes
Heterochromatin - genetics
Human Genetics
Humans
Life Sciences
Mice
Plant Genetics and Genomics
Review
RNA, Untranslated - genetics
Satellite DNA
Stress, Physiological - genetics
Tandem Repeat Sequences
Telomerase
Telomere - genetics
Telomere Homeostasis - genetics
Transcription factors
Transcription, Genetic
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:A considerable fraction of the eukaryotic genome is made up of satellite DNA constituted of tandemly repeated sequences. These elements are mainly located at centromeres, pericentromeres, and telomeres and are major components of constitutive heterochromatin. Although originally satellite DNA was thought silent and inert, an increasing number of studies are providing evidence on its transcriptional activity supporting, on the contrary, an unexpected dynamicity. This review summarizes the multiple structural roles of satellite noncoding RNAs at chromosome level. Indeed, satellite noncoding RNAs play a role in the establishment of a heterochromatic state at centromere and telomere. These highly condensed structures are indispensable to preserve chromosome integrity and genome stability, preventing recombination events, and ensuring the correct chromosome pairing and segregation. Moreover, these RNA molecules seem to be involved also in maintaining centromere identity and in elongation, capping, and replication of telomere. Finally, the abnormal variation of centromeric and pericentromeric DNA transcription across major eukaryotic lineages in stress condition and disease has evidenced the critical role that these transcripts may play and the potentially dire consequences for the organism.
ISSN:0967-3849
1573-6849
DOI:10.1007/s10577-015-9494-4