Highlights d HP1, SUV39H1, and TRIM28 constitute heterochromatic H3K9me3 recognition complexes d These complexes contain multiple H3K9me3 reader chromodomains d Multivalent H3K9me3-chromodomain engagement triggers liquid-liquid phase separation d Histone modifications regulate chromatin compartmentalization via phase separation

Highlights d SAFB maintains higher-order organization of pericentromeric heterochromatin d SAFB interacts with repeat element RNAs such as MajSAT d SAFB drives phase separation that is promoted by MajSAT RNAs d Depletion of SAFB leads to a remodeling of 3D genome organization

TBX6-associated congenital scoliosis (TACS) as a clinically distinguishable subtype of congenital scoliosis: further evidence supporting the compound inheritance and TBX6 gene dosage model