RNAs — Physical and functional modulators of chromatin reader proteins

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. RNAs have only recently entered the picture of epigenetic regulation with the discovery of a vast number 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 regulations as well as summarize the current insights into the molecular mechanism directing these interactions. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Molecular mechanisms of histone modification function.