Journal
HEREDITY
Volume 108, Issue 1, Pages 42-49Publisher
NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP
DOI: 10.1038/hdy.2011.104
Keywords
non-coding; ncRNA; small RNA; chromosome; evolution; karyotype
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Funding
- NSF
- Direct For Biological Sciences
- Div Of Molecular and Cellular Bioscience [0758577] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
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As important as the events that influence selection for specific chromosome types in the derivation of novel karyotypes, are the events that initiate the changes in chromosome number and structure between species, and likewise polymorphisms, variants and disease states within species. Although once thought of as transcriptional 'noise', noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are now recognized as important mediators of epigenetic regulation and chromosome stability. Here we highlight recent work that illustrates the influence short and long ncRNAs have as participants in the function and stability of chromosome regions such as centromeres, telomeres, evolutionary breakpoints and fragile sites. We summarize recent evidence that ncRNAs can facilitate chromosome change and present mechanisms by which ncRNAs create DNA breaks. Finally, we present hypotheses on how they may create novel karyotypes and thus affect chromosome evolution. Heredity (2012) 108, 42-49; doi:10.1038/hdy.2011.104; published online 9 November 2011
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