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Updated: May 24, 2026

RNA-Associated Chromatin DNA-DNA Interaction Method
Published on: April 30, 2026
Small RNA in the nucleus: the RNA-chromatin ping-pong
Ivan Olovnikov1, Alexei A Aravin, Katalin Fejes Toth
1California Institute of Technology, Division of Biology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
Abstract:
Eukaryotes use several classes of small RNA molecules to guide diverse protein machineries to target messenger RNA. The role of small RNA in post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA stability and translation is now well established. Small RNAs can also guide sequence-specific modification of chromatin structure and thus contribute to establishment and maintenance of distinct chromatin domains. In this review we summarize the model for the inter-dependent interaction between small RNA and chromatin that has emerged from studies on fission yeast and plants. We focus on recent results that link a distinct class of small RNAs, the piRNAs, to chromatin regulation in animals.
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