The trithorax-group and polycomb-group chromatin modifiers: implications for disease

The chromatin structure associated transcriptional memory function by Polycomb-group and trithorax-group protein complexes integrate normal development with control of cellular proliferation. This is illustrated by recent mechanistic insights that link Polycomb repression with histone deacetylases and the identification of new target genes that provide a connection to cell cycle control and tumorigenesis.