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Fonseca-Carvalho M, Veríssimo G, Lopes M, Ferreira D, Louzada S, Chaves R. Answering the Cell Stress Call: Satellite Non-Coding Transcription as a Response Mechanism. Biomolecules 2024; 14:124. [PMID: 38254724 PMCID: PMC10813801 DOI: 10.3390/biom14010124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Organisms are often subjected to conditions that promote cellular stress. Cell responses to stress include the activation of pathways to defend against and recover from the stress, or the initiation of programmed cell death to eliminate the damaged cells. One of the processes that can be triggered under stress is the transcription and variation in the number of copies of satellite DNA sequences (satDNA), which are involved in response mechanisms. Satellite DNAs are highly repetitive tandem sequences, mainly located in the centromeric and pericentromeric regions of eukaryotic chromosomes, where they form the constitutive heterochromatin. Satellite non-coding RNAs (satncRNAs) are important regulators of cell processes, and their deregulation has been associated with disease. Also, these transcripts have been associated with stress-response mechanisms in varied eukaryotic species. This review intends to explore the role of satncRNAs when cells are subjected to adverse conditions. Studying satDNA transcription under various stress conditions and deepening our understanding of where and how these sequences are involved could be a key factor in uncovering important facts about the functions of these sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Fonseca-Carvalho
- CytoGenomics Lab, Department of Genetics and Biotechnology (DGB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (M.F.-C.); (G.V.); (M.L.); (D.F.); (S.L.)
- BioISI—Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Gabriela Veríssimo
- CytoGenomics Lab, Department of Genetics and Biotechnology (DGB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (M.F.-C.); (G.V.); (M.L.); (D.F.); (S.L.)
- BioISI—Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mariana Lopes
- CytoGenomics Lab, Department of Genetics and Biotechnology (DGB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (M.F.-C.); (G.V.); (M.L.); (D.F.); (S.L.)
- BioISI—Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Daniela Ferreira
- CytoGenomics Lab, Department of Genetics and Biotechnology (DGB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (M.F.-C.); (G.V.); (M.L.); (D.F.); (S.L.)
- BioISI—Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sandra Louzada
- CytoGenomics Lab, Department of Genetics and Biotechnology (DGB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (M.F.-C.); (G.V.); (M.L.); (D.F.); (S.L.)
- BioISI—Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Raquel Chaves
- CytoGenomics Lab, Department of Genetics and Biotechnology (DGB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (M.F.-C.); (G.V.); (M.L.); (D.F.); (S.L.)
- BioISI—Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
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Ugarković Đ, Sermek A, Ljubić S, Feliciello I. Satellite DNAs in Health and Disease. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13071154. [PMID: 35885937 PMCID: PMC9324158 DOI: 10.3390/genes13071154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Tandemly repeated satellite DNAs are major components of centromeres and pericentromeric heterochromatin which are crucial chromosomal elements responsible for accurate chromosome segregation. Satellite DNAs also contribute to genome evolution and the speciation process and are important for the maintenance of the entire genome inside the nucleus. In addition, there is increasing evidence for active and tightly regulated transcription of satellite DNAs and for the role of their transcripts in diverse processes. In this review, we focus on recent discoveries related to the regulation of satellite DNA expression and the role of their transcripts, either in heterochromatin establishment and centromere function or in gene expression regulation under various biological contexts. We discuss the role of satellite transcripts in the stress response and environmental adaptation as well as consequences of the dysregulation of satellite DNA expression in cancer and their potential use as cancer biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Đurđica Ugarković
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.S.); (S.L.)
- Correspondence: (Đ.U.); (I.F.); Tel.: +385-1-4561-083 (D.U.); +39-081-746-4317 (I.F.)
| | - Antonio Sermek
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.S.); (S.L.)
| | - Sven Ljubić
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.S.); (S.L.)
| | - Isidoro Feliciello
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.S.); (S.L.)
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: (Đ.U.); (I.F.); Tel.: +385-1-4561-083 (D.U.); +39-081-746-4317 (I.F.)
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Campbell JF, Athanassiou CG, Hagstrum DW, Zhu KY. Tribolium castaneum: A Model Insect for Fundamental and Applied Research. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 67:347-365. [PMID: 34614365 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-080921-075157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Tribolium castaneum has a long history as a model species in many distinct subject areas, but improved connections among the genetics, genomics, behavioral, ecological, and pest management fields are needed to fully realize this species' potential as a model. Tribolium castaneum was the first beetle whose genome was sequenced, and a new genome assembly and enhanced annotation, combined with readily available genomic research tools, have facilitated its increased use in a wide range of functional genomics research. Research into T. castaneum's sensory systems, response to pheromones and kairomones, and patterns of movement and landscape utilization has improved our understanding of behavioral and ecological processes. Tribolium castaneum has also been a model in the development of pest monitoring and management tactics, including evaluation of insecticide resistance mechanisms. Application of functional genomics approaches to behavioral, ecological, and pest management research is in its infancy but offers a powerful tool that can link mechanism with function and facilitate exploitation of these relationships to better manage this important food pest.
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Affiliation(s)
- James F Campbell
- Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Manhattan, Kansas 66502, USA;
| | - Christos G Athanassiou
- Laboratory of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Department of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly, Volos 382 21, Greece;
| | - David W Hagstrum
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, USA; ,
| | - Kun Yan Zhu
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, USA; ,
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Vojvoda Zeljko T, Ugarković Đ, Pezer Ž. Differential enrichment of H3K9me3 at annotated satellite DNA repeats in human cell lines and during fetal development in mouse. Epigenetics Chromatin 2021; 14:47. [PMID: 34663449 PMCID: PMC8524813 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-021-00423-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trimethylation of histone H3 on lysine 9 (H3K9me3) at satellite DNA sequences has been primarily studied at (peri)centromeric regions, where its level shows differences associated with various processes such as development and malignant transformation. However, the dynamics of H3K9me3 at distal satellite DNA repeats has not been thoroughly investigated. RESULTS We exploit the sets of publicly available data derived from chromatin immunoprecipitation combined with massively parallel DNA sequencing (ChIP-Seq), produced by the The Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) project, to analyze H3K9me3 at assembled satellite DNA repeats in genomes of human cell lines and during mouse fetal development. We show that annotated satellite elements are generally enriched for H3K9me3, but its level in cancer cell lines is on average lower than in normal cell lines. We find 407 satellite DNA instances with differential H3K9me3 enrichment between cancer and normal cells including a large 115-kb cluster of GSATII elements on chromosome 12. Differentially enriched regions are not limited to satellite DNA instances, but instead encompass a wider region of flanking sequences. We found no correlation between the levels of H3K9me3 and noncoding RNA at corresponding satellite DNA loci. The analysis of data derived from multiple tissues identified 864 instances of satellite DNA sequences in the mouse reference genome that are differentially enriched between fetal developmental stages. CONCLUSIONS Our study reveals significant differences in H3K9me3 level at a subset of satellite repeats between biological states and as such contributes to understanding of the role of satellite DNA repeats in epigenetic regulation during development and carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Željka Pezer
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
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Feliciello I, Pezer Ž, Kordiš D, Bruvo Mađarić B, Ugarković Đ. Evolutionary History of Alpha Satellite DNA Repeats Dispersed within Human Genome Euchromatin. Genome Biol Evol 2021; 12:2125-2138. [PMID: 33078196 PMCID: PMC7719264 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evaa224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Major human alpha satellite DNA repeats are preferentially assembled within (peri)centromeric regions but are also dispersed within euchromatin in the form of clustered or short single repeat arrays. To study the evolutionary history of single euchromatic human alpha satellite repeats (ARs), we analyzed their orthologous loci across the primate genomes. The continuous insertion of euchromatic ARs throughout the evolutionary history of primates starting with the ancestors of Simiformes (45-60 Ma) and continuing up to the ancestors of Homo is revealed. Once inserted, the euchromatic ARs were stably transmitted to the descendant species, some exhibiting copy number variation, whereas their sequence divergence followed the species phylogeny. Many euchromatic ARs have sequence characteristics of (peri)centromeric alpha repeats suggesting heterochromatin as a source of dispersed euchromatic ARs. The majority of euchromatic ARs are inserted in the vicinity of other repetitive elements such as L1, Alu, and ERV or are embedded within them. Irrespective of the insertion context, each AR insertion seems to be unique and once inserted, ARs do not seem to be subsequently spread to new genomic locations. In spite of association with (retro)transposable elements, there is no indication that such elements play a role in ARs proliferation. The presence of short duplications at most of ARs insertion sites suggests site-directed recombination between homologous motifs in ARs and in the target genomic sequence, probably mediated by extrachromosomal circular DNA, as a mechanism of spreading within euchromatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isidoro Feliciello
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia.,Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Universita' degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Italy
| | - Željka Pezer
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dušan Kordiš
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Đurđica Ugarković
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
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Kuhn GCS, Heringer P, Dias GB. Structure, Organization, and Evolution of Satellite DNAs: Insights from the Drosophila repleta and D. virilis Species Groups. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR AND SUBCELLULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 60:27-56. [PMID: 34386871 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-74889-0_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The fact that satellite DNAs (satDNAs) in eukaryotes are abundant genomic components, can perform functional roles, but can also change rapidly across species while being homogenous within a species, makes them an intriguing and fascinating genomic component to study. It is also becoming clear that satDNAs represent an important piece in genome architecture and that changes in their structure, organization, and abundance can affect the evolution of genomes and species in many ways. Since the discovery of satDNAs more than 50 years ago, species from the Drosophila genus have continuously been used as models to study several aspects of satDNA biology. These studies have been largely concentrated in D. melanogaster and closely related species from the Sophophora subgenus, even though the vast majority of all Drosophila species belong to the Drosophila subgenus. This chapter highlights some studies on the satDNA structure, organization, and evolution in two species groups from the Drosophila subgenus: the repleta and virilis groups. We also discuss and review the classification of other abundant tandem repeats found in these species in the light of the current information available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo C S Kuhn
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | - Pedro Heringer
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Borges Dias
- Department of Genetics and Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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Feliciello I, Pezer Ž, Sermek A, Bruvo Mađarić B, Ljubić S, Ugarković Đ. Satellite DNA-Mediated Gene Expression Regulation: Physiological and Evolutionary Implication. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR AND SUBCELLULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 60:145-167. [PMID: 34386875 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-74889-0_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Satellite DNAs are tandemly repeated sequences organized in large clusters within (peri)centromeric and/or subtelomeric heterochromatin. However, in many species, satellite DNAs are not restricted to heterochromatin but are also dispersed as short arrays within euchromatin. Such genomic organization together with transcriptional activity seems to be a prerequisite for the gene-modulatory effect of satellite DNAs which was first demonstrated in the beetle Tribolium castaneum upon heat stress. Namely, enrichment of a silent histone mark at euchromatic repeats of a major beetle satellite DNA results in epigenetic silencing of neighboring genes. In addition, human satellite III transcripts induced by heat shock contribute to genome-wide gene silencing, providing protection against stress-induced cell death. Gene silencing mediated by satellite RNA was also shown to be fundamental for the early embryonic development of the mosquito Aedes aegypti. Apart from a physiological role during embryogenesis and heat stress response, activation of satellite DNAs in terms of transcription and proliferation can have an evolutionary impact. Spreading of satellite repeats throughout euchromatin promotes the variation of epigenetic landscapes and gene expression diversity, contributing to the evolution of gene regulatory networks and to genome adaptation in fluctuating environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isidoro Feliciello
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia.,Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Universita' degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Željka Pezer
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Antonio Sermek
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Sven Ljubić
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Đurđica Ugarković
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia.
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Distinct Regulation of the Expression of Satellite DNAs in the Beetle Tribolium castaneum. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010296. [PMID: 33396654 PMCID: PMC7796160 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In the flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (peri)centromeric heterochromatin is mainly composed of a major satellite DNA TCAST1 interspersed with minor satellites. With the exception of heterochromatin, clustered satellite repeats are found dispersed within euchromatin. In order to uncover a possible satellite DNA function within the beetle genome, we analysed the expression of the major TCAST1 and a minor TCAST2 satellite during the development and upon heat stress. The results reveal that TCAST1 transcription was strongly induced at specific embryonic stages and upon heat stress, while TCAST2 transcription is stable during both processes. TCAST1 transcripts are processed preferentially into piRNAs during embryogenesis and into siRNAs during later development, contrary to TCAST2 transcripts, which are processed exclusively into piRNAs. In addition, increased TCAST1 expression upon heat stress is accompanied by the enrichment of the silent histone mark H3K9me3 on the major satellite, while the H3K9me3 level at TCAST2 remains unchanged. The transcription of the two satellites is proposed to be affected by the chromatin state: heterochromatin and euchromatin, which are assumed to be the prevalent sources of TCAST1 and TCAST2 transcripts, respectively. In addition, distinct regulation of the expression might be related to diverse roles that major and minor satellite RNAs play during the development and stress response.
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Panabières F, Rancurel C, da Rocha M, Kuhn ML. Characterization of Two Satellite DNA Families in the Genome of the Oomycete Plant Pathogen Phytophthora parasitica. Front Genet 2020; 11:557. [PMID: 32582290 PMCID: PMC7290008 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Satellite DNA is a class of repetitive sequences that are organized in long arrays of tandemly repeated units in most eukaryotes. Long considered as selfish DNA, satellite sequences are now proposed to contribute to genome integrity. Despite their potential impact on the architecture and evolution of the genome, satellite DNAs have not been investigated in oomycetes due to the paucity of genomic data and the difficulty of assembling highly conserved satellite arrays. Yet gaining knowledge on the structure and evolution of genomes of oomycete pathogens is crucial to understanding the mechanisms underlying adaptation to their environment and to proposing efficient disease control strategies. A de novo assembly of the genome of Phytophthora parasitica, an important oomycete plant pathogen, led to the identification of several families of tandemly repeated sequences varying in size, copy number, and sequence conservation. Among them, two abundant families, designated as PpSat1 and PpSat2, displayed typical features of satellite DNA and were collectively designated as PpSat. These two satellite families differ by their length, sequence, organization, genomic environment, and evolutionary dynamics. PpSat1, but not PpSat2, presented homologs among oomycetes. This observation, as well as the characterization of transcripts of PpSat families, suggested that these satellite DNA families likely play a conserved role within this important group of pathogens.
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Heat Stress Affects H3K9me3 Level at Human Alpha Satellite DNA Repeats. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11060663. [PMID: 32570830 PMCID: PMC7348797 DOI: 10.3390/genes11060663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Satellite DNAs are tandemly repeated sequences preferentially assembled into large arrays within constitutive heterochromatin and their transcription is often activated by stress conditions, particularly by heat stress. Bioinformatic analyses of sequenced genomes however reveal single repeats or short arrays of satellite DNAs dispersed in the vicinity of genes within euchromatin. Here, we analyze transcription of a major human alpha satellite DNA upon heat stress and follow the dynamics of “silent” H3K9me3 and “active” H3K4me2/3 histone marks at dispersed euchromatic and tandemly arranged heterochromatic alpha repeats. The results show H3K9me3 enrichment at alpha repeats upon heat stress, which correlates with the dynamics of alpha satellite DNA transcription activation, while no change in H3K4me2/3 level is detected. Spreading of H3K9me3 up to 1–2 kb from the insertion sites of the euchromatic alpha repeats is detected, revealing the alpha repeats as modulators of local chromatin structure. In addition, expression of genes containing alpha repeats within introns as well as of genes closest to the intergenic alpha repeats is downregulated upon heat stress. Further studies are necessary to reveal the possible contribution of H3K9me3 enriched alpha repeats, in particular those located within introns, to the silencing of their associated genes.
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