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In a discovery that sheds light on the complex mechanisms of gene regulation, scientists at EPFL have uncovered a critical role for the protein ZNF274 in keeping certain gene clusters turned off by anchoring them to the cell nucleolus. The study is published in Science Advances.

Our DNA is not just a string of genes; it's a complex and dynamic structure where the spatial organization within the nucleus plays a crucial role in regulating which genes are turned on or off. One key player in this intricate process is the nucleolus, a spherical structure that sits inside the cell's nucleus, the compartment where gene expression is orchestrated and performed.

The nucleolus is primarily known as the site of production of ribosomes, which play key roles in the making of proteins. However, recent studies have found that the nucleolus is also involved in regulating gene expression.

Controlling gene activity

The nucleolus is surrounded by regions of the genome called nucleolus-associated domains (NADs), which host repressed—or "silenced"—genes. Scientists think that NADs play a key role in maintaining under tight control genes arranged in clusters along chromosomes, which is essential for proper cell function and development. However, the mechanisms that target specific gene clusters to NADs have remained largely mysterious.

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