Transcriptional Scaffolds for Heterochromatin Assembly

Heterochromatin is dynamically regulated during the cell cycle and in response to developmental signals. Recent findings from diverse systems suggest an extensive role for transcription in the assembly of heterochromatin, highlighting the emerging theme that transcription and noncoding RNAs can provide the initial scaffold for the formation of heterochromatin, which serves as a versatile recruiting platform for diverse factors involved in many cellular processes.