Heterochromatin refers to the tightly packed and condensed DNA found in a cell's nucleus. It is responsible for silencing or deactivating certain genes, preventing them from being expressed. Full definition
The role of heterochromatin in the protection of mammalian centromere cohesion has long been controversial. (embor.embopress.org)
These endo - siRNAs might play a role in heterochromatin formation. (sdbonline.org)
In other work, the lab is exploring the mechanisms of heterochromatin formation and gene silencing through the study of a protein complex called RNA - induced initiation of transcriptional gene silencing (RITS). (cshl.edu)