The Polycomb-Group proteins form chromatin complexes that can silence
gene expression over large distances. The formation of these complexes
at homeotic genes depends on early developmental events but the repre
ssed state is then maintained through many cell divisions. In vivo, co
mplexes formed at one genomic site can interact with those at other si
tes, suggesting that they, like heterochromatin complexes, affect the
folding of chromatin and the organization of chromosomes in the nucleu
s.