Positive epigenetic regulation of rRNA expression

Transcription of rRNA genes is controlled by epigenetic activation and repression according to the metabolic requirements of the cell (reviewed in Percipalle and Farrants 2006, McStay and Grummt 2008, Goodfellow and Zomerdijk 2012, Grummt and Langst 2013). Depending on the growth state of the cell, about half of the approximately 400 rRNA genes are expressed and these have the modifications characteristic of active chromatin: unmethylated DNA and acetylated histones. Repressed genes generally have methylated DNA and histone H3 methylated at lysine-9. Regulators of activation include ERCC6 (CSB), histone acetylases such as KAT2B (PCAF), and the B-WICH complex. Dysregulation of RNA polymerase I transcription plays a role in disease (reviewed in Hannan et al. 2013).

Summary from Reactome (R-HSA-5250913), read 2026-09-23.