Abstract 1848 Non-canonical role of an Elongator complex subunit in epigenetic gene regulation

Heterochromatin is a prominent form of chromatin that promotes transcriptional gene repression and maintenance of genome integrity, which are critical for the regulation of developmental and diseased cellular states. From yeast to mammals, it is known that regulatory RNAs are required to form certain heterochromatin domains. The current paradigm is that RNA polymerase II (Pol II) contributes to this formation process by transcribing these RNAs. However, it is unknown whether Pol II becomes dispensable once these regulatory transcripts are created.