title: H3K9me3-Dependent Heterochromatin: Barrier to Cell Fate Changes.
abstract: Establishing and maintaining cell identity depends on the proper regulation of gene expression, as specified by transcription factors and reinforced by epigenetic mechanisms. Among the epigenetic mechanisms, heterochromatin formation is crucial for the preservation of genome stability and the cell type-specific silencing of genes. The heterochromatin-associated histone mark H3K9me3, although traditionally associated with the noncoding portions of the genome, has emerged as a key player in repressing lineage-inappropriate genes and shielding them from activation by transcription factors. Here we describe the role of H3K9me3 heterochromatin in impeding the reprogramming of cell identity and the mechanisms by which H3K9me3 is reorganized during development and cell fate determination.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Epigenetics Program, and Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Smilow Center for Translational Research, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Justin S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.affiliation: Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Epigenetics Program, and Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Smilow Center for Translational Research, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nicetto
authors.affiliation: Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Epigenetics Program, and Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Smilow Center for Translational Research, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Electronic address: zaret@upenn.edu.
authors.forename: Kenneth S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Zaret
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D065150:Cellular Reprogramming; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D020868:Gene Silencing; D006570:Heterochromatin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D039904:Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006570:Heterochromatin; D006657:Histones; D014157:Transcription Factors
keywords: H3K9me3; cell identity; development; heterochromatin; reprogramming