{
  "abstract": "Plant-specific RNA Polymerase V (Pol V) transcribes noncoding RNAs in the RNA-directed DNA methylation pathway, thereby influencing gene expression and genome stability by controlling de novo DNA methylation. However, the mechanisms governing precise chromatin localization and transcriptional activities of Pol V remain elusive. Here we show that Pol V localization is spatially constrained by the chromatin regulators microrchidia (MORC) and MORPHEUS' MOLECULE 1 (MOM1). MORC and MOM1 promote Pol V occupancy at sites near active chromatin, whereas their loss leads to redistribution of Pol V into CMT3-enriched heterochromatin, accompanied by noncoding RNA transcription, small RNA production and DNA methylation. Our findings reveal a combinatorial model in which recruitment, spatial constraint and DNA methylation feedback collectively define Pol V chromatin distribution and epigenetic function.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Ca"
  ],
  "article_type": "New results",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 8,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "X. He"
    },
    {
      "name": "Z. Li"
    },
    {
      "name": "Y. Xue"
    },
    {
      "name": "J. Guo"
    },
    {
      "name": "X. Liu"
    },
    {
      "name": "S. Feng"
    },
    {
      "name": "Z. Zhong"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "S. E. Jacobsen"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/4v9crnkwb11xw.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.08.30.748062",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.30.748062v1.full",
  "id": "4v9crnkwb11xw",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.30.748062v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "biorxiv",
      "plant biology"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "1312|Epigenetics and DNA Methylation"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7204832815",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.30.748062v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-08-30",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/4v9crnkwb11xw.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:35Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.08.30.748062",
      "source": "biorxiv",
      "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.30.748062v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "biorxiv:plant biology",
      "subfield": "plant-biology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "MORC and MOM1 spatially constrain RNA Polymerase V chromatin positioning to shape DNA methylation landscapes",
  "title_text": "MORC and MOM1 spatially constrain RNA Polymerase V chromatin positioning to shape DNA methylation landscapes",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:35Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/4v9crnkwb11xw",
  "venue": "bioRxiv",
  "versions": []
}