Origin recognition complex-associated (ORCA) is crucial for the stability of the Histone H3 lysine 9 methyltransferase megacomplex, which is essential for heterochromatin organization.

Analysis of a spermiogenesis protein reveals a new chromatin requirement for synchrony between maternal DNA packaged in the egg and sperm-packaged paternal DNA in the first embryonic mitosis in Drosophila melanogaster.

Identification of novel components and regulators of heterochromatin reveals a spatially complex and dynamic organization.

A Drosophila fertility gene is identified that acts as a linker between HP1a and local H3K4 demethylation during HP1a-mediated gene silencing that is required for ovary development and transposon silencing..

Cooperative association of a histone-binding complex with pairs of appropriately modified nucleosomes, which form fundamental units of binding, mediates selective heterochromatin assembly and spreading.

Heterochromatin proteins compartmentalize DNA into compact structures resistant to mechanical disruption but susceptible to competitive dissolution.

Evolution strictly preserves telomere stability but rapidly diversifies telomere length regulation in Drosophila.

Heterochromatic sequences evolve rapidly, as do ZAD-ZNF genes-encoding proteins involved in heterochromatin functions, explaining why evolutionarily dynamic ZAD-ZNF genes are more likely to be essential in Drosophila.

Redundant pathways prevent heterochromatin spreading and ectopic heterochromatin assembly; and plasticity of heterochromatin assembly allows cells to adapt to heterochromatin stress.

A previously unappreciated histone methylation pathway helps limit DNA double-strand break formation and recombination in heterochromatin during meiosis.