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Updated: May 15, 2026

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism-sensitive FISH Detection of Locus-specific Ribosomal RNA Transcription in Drosophila melanogaster
Published on: March 28, 2025
Chromatin states at ribosomal DNA loci
Stephan Hamperl1, Manuel Wittner, Virginia Babl
1Lehrstuhl Biochemie III, Universität Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
Abstract:
Eukaryotic transcription of ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) by RNA polymerase I can account for more than half of the total cellular transcripts depending on organism and growth condition. To support this level of expression, eukaryotic rRNA genes are present in multiple copies. Interestingly, these genes co-exist in different chromatin states that may differ significantly in their nucleosome content and generally correlate well with transcriptional activity. Here we review how these chromatin states have been discovered and characterized focusing particularly on their structural protein components. The establishment and maintenance of rRNA gene chromatin states and their impact on rRNA synthesis are discussed. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Transcription by Odd Pols.
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