New Insights into Satellite DNAs

Dear Colleagues,

Located in the (peri)centromeric and subtelomeric heterochromatin, satellite DNAs contribute significantly to the genome architecture, and identical satellite DNA repeats on multiple chromosomes were shown to be important for chromocenter formation and genome maintenance. Apart from that, satellite DNAs are characterized by high sequence homogeneity between populations of the same species, and the specific sequence variability among closely related species has suggested their role in genome evolution and speciation process. Satellite DNAs are also involved in important roles in stress cell physiology and gene regulation. Moreover, changes in satellite DNA structure and transcription activity associated with the disturbance of the heterochromatin are linked with diseases such as cancer, as well as senescence and aging. Satellite RNAs were also shown to act as cancer biomarkers, and the role of satellite DNA in targeted drug therapy for cancer was recently proposed. However, new studies are necessary to explain the regulation of satellite DNA transcription and epigenetic changes associated with satellite DNA and heterochromatin during different cellular processes.

This Special Issue addresses all kinds of research related to our current knowledge on satellite DNA structure, organization and evolution, as well as the regulation of transcription, and diverse roles of satellite DNAs and their transcripts, e.g., for centromere and heterochromatin establishment, genome integrity or gene regulation. We would also like to underline the genetic or epigenetic alteration of satellite DNAs and heterochromatin during cellular processes, as well as in diseases and aging. We look forward to receiving your contributions in the form of original research or review articles.

Dr. Isidoro Feliciello
Prof. Dr. Đurđica Ugarković
Guest Editors

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