RNAs — Physical and functional modulators of chromatin reader proteins ☆

article i nfo The regulatory role of histone modifications with respect to the structure and function of chromatin is well known. Proteins and protein complexes establishing, erasing and binding these marks have been extensively studied.RNAshaveonlyrecentlyenteredthepictureofepigeneticregulationwiththediscoveryof avastnumber of long non-coding RNAs. Fast growing evidence suggests that such RNAs influence all aspects of histone modification biology. Here, we focus exclusively on the emerging functional interplay between RNAs and proteins that bind histone modifications. We discuss recent findings of reciprocally positive and negative regulationsas well as summarizethe current insights into the molecularmechanism directingthese interactions. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Molecular mechanisms of histone modification function. © 2014 Published by Elsevier B.V.