G C A T T A C G G C A T genes Review Evolving Role of RING1 and YY1 Binding Protein in the Regulation of Germ-Cell-Specific Transcription Izabella Bajusz 1,*, Surya Henry 1,2, Enik˝oSutus 1,2, Gerg˝oKovács 1 and Melinda K. Pirity 1,* 1 Biological Research Centre, Temesvári krt. 62, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary;
[email protected] (S.H.);
[email protected] (E.S.);
[email protected] (G.K.) 2 Doctoral School of Biology, Faculty of Science and Informatics University of Szeged, Dugonics tér 13, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary * Correspondence:
[email protected] (I.B.);
[email protected] (M.K.P.); Tel.: +36-62-599-520 (I.B.); +36-62-599-683 (M.K.P.) Received: 7 October 2019; Accepted: 14 November 2019; Published: 19 November 2019 Abstract: Separation of germline cells from somatic lineages is one of the earliest decisions of embryogenesis. Genes expressed in germline cells include apoptotic and meiotic factors, which are not transcribed in the soma normally, but a number of testis-specific genes are active in numerous cancer types. During germ cell development, germ-cell-specific genes can be regulated by specific transcription factors, retinoic acid signaling and multimeric protein complexes. Non-canonical polycomb repressive complexes, like ncPRC1.6, play a critical role in the regulation of the activity of germ-cell-specific genes. RING1 and YY1 binding protein (RYBP) is one of the core members of the ncPRC1.6. Surprisingly, the role of Rybp in germ cell differentiation has not been defined yet.