A position-effect control for gene transposition: state of expression of yeast mating-type genes affects their ability to switch

RNA-DNA hybrids and the convergence with DNA repair

The repair of DNA double-strand breaks occurs through a series of defined steps that are evolutionarily conserved and well-understood in most experimental organisms. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that repair does not occur in isolation from other DNA transactions. Transcription of DNA produces topological changes, RNA species, and RNA-dependent protein complexes that can dramatically influence the efficiency and outcomes of DNA double-strand break repair. The transcription-associated history of several double-strand break repair factors is reviewed here, with an emphasis on their roles in regulating R-loops and the emerging role of R-loops in coordination of repair events. Evidence for nucleolytic processing of R-loops is also discussed, as well as the molecular tools commonly used to measure RNA-DNA hybrids in cells.

Mating-type switching by homology-directed recombinational repair: a matter of choice

In eukaryotes, all DNA transactions happen in the context of chromatin that often takes part in regulatory mechanisms. In particular, chromatin structure can regulate exchanges of DNA occurring through homologous recombination. Few systems have provided as detailed a view on this phenomenon as mating-type switching in yeast. Mating-type switching entails the choice of a template for the gene conversions of the expressed mating-type locus. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, correct template choice requires two competing small recombination enhancers, SRE2 and SRE3, that function in the context of heterochromatin. These two enhancers act with the Swi2/Swi5 recombination accessory complex to initiate strand exchange in a cell-type-specific manner, from SRE2 in M cells and SRE3 in P cells. New research indicates that the Set1C complex, responsible for H3K4 methylation, and the Brl2 ubiquitin ligase, that catalyzes H2BK119 ubiquitylation, participate in the cell-type-specific selection of SRE2 or SRE3. Here, we review these findings, compare donor preference in S. pombe to the distantly related budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and contrast the positive effects of heterochromatin on the donor selection process with other situations, where heterochromatin represses recombination.

Disruption of promoter memory by synthesis of a long noncoding RNA

The yeast HO endonuclease is expressed in late G1 in haploid mother cells to initiate mating-type interconversion. Cells can be arrested in G1 by nutrient deprivation or by pheromone exposure, but cells that resume cycling after nutrient deprivation or cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inactivation express HO in the first cell cycle, whereas HO is not expressed until the second cycle after release from pheromone arrest. Here, we show that transcription of a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) mediates this differential response. The SBF and Mediator factors remain bound to the inactive promoter during arrest due to CDK inactivation, and these bound factors allow the cell to remember a transcriptional decision made before arrest. If the presence of mating pheromone indicates that this decision is no longer appropriate, a lncRNA originating at -2700 upstream of the HO gene is induced, and the transcription machinery displaces promoter-bound SBF, preventing HO transcription in the subsequent cell cycle. Further, we find that the displaced SBF is blocked from rebinding due to incorporation of its recognition sites within nucleosomes. Expressing the pHO-lncRNA in trans is ineffective, indicating that transcription in cis is required. Factor displacement during lncRNA transcription could be a general mechanism for regulating memory of previous events at promoters.

Functional proteomics establishes the interaction of SIRT7 with chromatin remodeling complexes and expands its role in regulation of RNA polymerase I transcription

Among mammalian sirtuins, SIRT7 is the only enzyme residing in nucleoli where ribosomal DNA is transcribed. Recent reports established that SIRT7 associates with RNA Pol I machinery and is required for rDNA transcription. Although defined by its homology to the yeast histone deacetylase Sir2, current knowledge suggests that SIRT7 itself has little to no deacetylase activity. Because only two SIRT7 interactions have been thus far described: RNA Pol I and upstream binding factor, identification of proteins and complexes associating with SIRT7 is critical to understanding its functions. Here, we present the first characterization of SIRT7 interaction networks. We have systematically investigated protein interactions of three EGFP-tagged SIRT7 constructs: wild type, a point mutation affecting rDNA transcription, and a deletion mutant lacking the predicted coiled-coil domain. A combinatorial proteomics and bioinformatics approach was used to integrate gene ontology classifications, functional protein networks, and normalized abundances of proteins co-isolated with SIRT7. The resulting refined proteomic data set confirmed SIRT7 interactions with RNA Pol I and upstream binding factor and highlighted association with factors involved in RNA Pol I- and II-dependent transcriptional processes and several nucleolus-localized chromatin remodeling complexes. Particularly enriched were members of the B-WICH complex, such as Mybbp1a, WSTF, and SNF2h. Prominent interactions were validated by a selected reaction monitoring-like approach using metabolic labeling with stable isotopes, confocal microscopy, reciprocal immunoaffinity precipitation, and co-isolation with endogenous SIRT7. To extend the current knowledge of mechanisms involved in SIRT7-dependent regulation of rDNA transcription, we showed that small interfering RNA-mediated SIRT7 knockdown leads to reduced levels of RNA Pol I protein, but not messenger RNA, which was confirmed in diverse cell types. The down-regulation of RNA Pol I protein levels placed in the context of SIRT7 interaction networks led us to propose that SIRT7 plays a crucial role in connecting the function of chromatin remodeling complexes to RNA Pol I machinery during transcription.

Functional proteomics establishes the interaction of SIRT7 with chromatin remodeling complexes and expands its role in regulation of RNA polymerase I transcription

Among mammalian sirtuins, SIRT7 is the only enzyme residing in nucleoli where ribosomal DNA is transcribed. Recent reports established that SIRT7 associates with RNA Pol I machinery and is required for rDNA transcription. Although defined by its homology to the yeast histone deacetylase Sir2, current knowledge suggests that SIRT7 itself has little to no deacetylase activity. Because only two SIRT7 interactions have been thus far described: RNA Pol I and upstream binding factor, identification of proteins and complexes associating with SIRT7 is critical to understanding its functions. Here, we present the first characterization of SIRT7 interaction networks. We have systematically investigated protein interactions of three EGFP-tagged SIRT7 constructs: wild type, a point mutation affecting rDNA transcription, and a deletion mutant lacking the predicted coiled-coil domain. A combinatorial proteomics and bioinformatics approach was used to integrate gene ontology classifications, functional protein networks, and normalized abundances of proteins co-isolated with SIRT7. The resulting refined proteomic data set confirmed SIRT7 interactions with RNA Pol I and upstream binding factor and highlighted association with factors involved in RNA Pol I- and II-dependent transcriptional processes and several nucleolus-localized chromatin remodeling complexes. Particularly enriched were members of the B-WICH complex, such as Mybbp1a, WSTF, and SNF2h. Prominent interactions were validated by a selected reaction monitoring-like approach using metabolic labeling with stable isotopes, confocal microscopy, reciprocal immunoaffinity precipitation, and co-isolation with endogenous SIRT7. To extend the current knowledge of mechanisms involved in SIRT7-dependent regulation of rDNA transcription, we showed that small interfering RNA-mediated SIRT7 knockdown leads to reduced levels of RNA Pol I protein, but not messenger RNA, which was confirmed in diverse cell types. The down-regulation of RNA Pol I protein levels placed in the context of SIRT7 interaction networks led us to propose that SIRT7 plays a crucial role in connecting the function of chromatin remodeling complexes to RNA Pol I machinery during transcription.

An auxiliary silencer and a boundary element maintain high levels of silencing proteins at HMR in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Heterochromatin is notable for its capacity to propagate along a chromosome. The prevailing model for this spreading process postulates that silencing proteins are first recruited to silencer sequences and then spread from these sites independently of the silencers. However, we found that in Saccharomyces cerevisiae silencers also influence the extent of silenced chromatin domains. We compared the abilities of two different silencers, HMR-E and a telomeric repeat, to promote silencing and found that the HMR-E silencer contributed to an increased steady-state association of Sir proteins over a region of several kilobase pairs compared to the telomeric repeat, even though both silencers recruited similar levels of Sir proteins. We also discovered that, although the HMR-E silencer alone was sufficient to block transcription of the HMR locus, a secondary silencer, HMR-I, boosted the level of Sir proteins at HMR, apparently beyond the level necessary to repress transcription. Finally, we discovered that a tRNA(Thr) gene near HMR-I helped maintain silenced chromatin and transcriptional repression under conditions of reduced deacetylase activity. This study highlights the importance of auxiliary elements, such as HMR-I and the tRNA(Thr) gene, in enhancing the association of Sir silencing proteins with appropriate genomic locations, thereby buffering the capacity of silenced chromatin to assemble under suboptimal conditions.

Transcription-associated recombination in eukaryotes: link between transcription, replication and recombination

Homologous recombination (HR) is an important DNA repair pathway and is essential for cellular survival. It plays a major role in repairing replication-associated lesions and is functionally connected to replication. Transcription is another cellular process, which has emerged to have a connection with HR. Transcription enhances HR, which is a ubiquitous phenomenon referred to as transcription-associated recombination (TAR). Recent evidence suggests that TAR plays a role in inducing genetic instability, for example in the THO mutants (Tho2, Hpr1, Mft1 and Thp2) in yeast or during the development of the immune system leading to genetic diversity in mammals. On the other hand, evidence also suggests that TAR may play a role in preventing genetic instability in many different ways, one of which is by rescuing replication during transcription. Hence, TAR is a double-edged sword and plays a role in both preventing and inducing genetic instability. In spite of the interesting nature of TAR, the mechanism behind TAR has remained elusive. Recent advances in the area, however, suggest a link between TAR and replication and show specific genetic requirements for TAR that differ from regular HR. In this review, we aim to present the available evidence for TAR in both lower and higher eukaryotes and discuss its possible mechanisms, with emphasis on its connection with replication.

Role of heterochromatin in suppressing subtelomeric recombination in fission yeast

Telomere length is regulated by a complex interplay of several factors, including telomerase, telomere-binding proteins, DNA replication machinery and recombination. In yeast, DNA polymerase alpha is required for de novo synthesis of telomeres from broken ends of DNA, and it also suppresses the elongation of normal telomeric repeats. Heterochromatin proteins Clr1-Clr4 and Swi6 and DNA polalpha organize heterochromatin structure at mating type, centromere, rDNA and telomere regions that are refractory to transcription and recombination in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Here, we have addressed the role of heterochromatin structure in regulating the integrity and organization of telomeric regions. Here, we show that subtelomeric duplication and rearrangements occur in polalpha and heterochromatin mutants and find that some of the putative duplication events are dependent on the Rad50 pathway. Thus, our study shows a role of heterochromatin in maintaining the integrity of the subtelomeric regions by suppressing their recombination in Sz. pombe.

Transcription-associated recombination is dependent on replication in Mammalian cells

Transcription can enhance recombination; this is a ubiquitous phenomenon from prokaryotes to higher eukaryotes. However, the mechanism of transcription-associated recombination in mammalian cells is poorly understood. Here we have developed a construct with a recombination substrate in which levels of recombination can be studied in the presence or absence of transcription. We observed a direct enhancement in recombination when transcription levels through the substrate were increased. This increase in homologous recombination following transcription is locus specific, since homologous recombination at the unrelated hprt gene is unaffected. In addition, we have shown that transcription-associated recombination involves both short-tract and long-tract gene conversions in mammalian cells, which are different from double-strand-break-induced recombination events caused by endonucleases. Transcription fails to enhance recombination in cells that are not in the S phase of the cell cycle. Furthermore, inhibition of transcription suppresses induction of recombination at stalled replication forks, suggesting that recombination may be involved in bypassing transcription during replication.

Looking for putative functions of the Leishmania cytosolic SIR2 deacetylase

During the past few years, the silent information regulator SIR2 protein family has attracted great interest due to its implication in an organism's life span extension. They bear diverse subcellular localization and play a role in transcriptional silencing and DNA repair. The biochemical reaction catalysed by these enzymes (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependant deacetylase/adenosine diphosphate-ribosyl transferase) is supposed to be linked to metabolism. Members of this protein family were described in parasitic organisms, but little information is available on potential functions of such enzymes in these organisms. In this article, we review recent information on structure and peculiar functions of SIR2s in eukaryotes, with emphasis on parasitic protozoa, particularly the Trypanosomatidae. Through the enzyme localization and the diverse substrates and by-products of the enzymatic reactions, we approach the potential pathways in which the Leishmania cytosolic SIR2 protein can be involved.

Involvement of Sir2/4 in silencing of DNA breakage and recombination on mouse YACs during yeast meiosis

Yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) that contain human DNA backbone undergo DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and recombination during yeast meiosis at rates similar to the yeast native chromosomes. Surprisingly, YACs containing DNA covering a recombination hot spot in the mouse major histocompatibility complex class III region do not show meiotic DSBs and undergo meiotic recombination at reduced levels. Moreover, segregation of these YACs during meiosis is seriously compromised. In meiotic yeast cells carrying the mutations sir2 or sir4, but not sir3, these YACs show DSBs, suggesting that a unique chromatin structure of the YACs, involving Sir2 and Sir4, protects the YACs from the meiotic recombination machinery. We speculate that the paucity of DSBs and recombination events on these YACs during yeast meiosis may reflect the refractory nature of the corresponding region in the mouse genome.

Sirtuins: Sir2-related NAD-dependent protein deacetylases

Silent information regulator 2 (Sir2) proteins, or sirtuins, are protein deacetylases dependent on nicotine adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and regulate transcriptional repression, recombination, the cell-division cycle, microtubule organization, and cellular responses to DNA-damaging agents.

Silent information regulator 2 (Sir2) proteins, or sirtuins, are protein deacetylases dependent on nicotine adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and are found in organisms ranging from bacteria to humans. In eukaryotes, sirtuins regulate transcriptional repression, recombination, the cell-division cycle, microtubule organization, and cellular responses to DNA-damaging agents. Sirtuins have also been implicated in regulating the molecular mechanisms of aging. The Sir2 catalytic domain, which is shared among all sirtuins, consists of two distinct domains that bind NAD and the acetyl-lysine substrate, respectively. In addition to the catalytic domain, eukaryotic sirtuins contain variable amino- and carboxy-terminal extensions that regulate their subcellular localizations and catalytic activity.

A histone deacetylation inhibitor and mutant promote colony-type switching of the human pathogen Candida albicans

Most strains of Candida albicans undergo high frequency phenotypic switching. Strain WO-1 undergoes the white-opaque transition, which involves changes in colony and cellular morphology, gene expression, and virulence. We have hypothesized that the switch event involves heritable changes in chromatin structure. To test this hypothesis, we transiently exposed cells to the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin-A (TSA). Treatment promoted a dramatic increase in the frequency of switching from white to opaque, but not opaque to white. Targeted deletion of HDA1, which encodes a deacetylase sensitive to TSA, had the same selective effect. These results support the model that the acetylation of histones plays a selective role in regulating the switching process.

Transcriptional effects on double-strand break-induced gene conversion tracts

Transcription stimulates spontaneous homologous recombination, but prior studies have not investigated the effects of transcription on double-strand break (DSB)-induced recombination in yeast. We examined products of five ura3 direct repeat substrates in yeast using alleles that were transcribed at low or high levels. In each strain, recombination was stimulated by DSBs created in vivo at an HO site in one copy of ura3. Increasing transcription levels in donor or recipient alleles did not further stimulate DSB-induced recombination, nor did it alter the relative frequencies of conversion and deletion (pop-out) events. This result is consistent with the idea that transcription enhances spontaneous recombination by increasing initiation. Gene conversion tracts were measured using silent restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) at approximately 100bp intervals. Transcription did not alter average tract lengths, but increased transcription in donor alleles increased both the frequency of promoter-proximal (5') unidirectional tracts and conversion of 5' markers. Increased transcription in recipient alleles increased the frequency of bidirectional tracts. We demonstrate that these effects are due to transcription per se, and not just transcription factor binding. These results suggest that transcription influences aspects of gene conversion after initiation, such as strand invasion and/or mismatch repair (MMR).

Mating-type gene switching in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Saccharomyces cerevisiae can change its mating type as often as every generation by a highly choreographed, site-specific recombination event that replaces one MAT allele with different DNA sequences encoding the opposite allele. The study of this process has yielded important insights into the control of cell lineage, the silencing of gene expression, and the formation of heterochromatin, as well as the molecular events of double-strand break-induced recombination. In addition, MAT switching provides a remarkable example of a small locus control region--the Recombination Enhancer--that controls recombination along an entire chromosome arm.

Chromatin assembly factor I contributes to the maintenance, but not the re-establishment, of silencing at the yeast silent mating loci

CAC1/RLF2 encodes the largest subunit of chromatin assembly factor I (CAF-I), a complex that assembles newly synthesized histones onto recently replicated DNA in vitro. In vivo, cac1/rlf2 mutants are defective in telomeric silencing and mislocalize Rap1p, a telomere-binding protein. Here, we report that in cells lacking CAF-I the silent mating loci are derepressed partially. MATa cac1 cells exhibit an unusual response to alpha-factor: They arrest and form mating projections (shmoos) initially, but are unable to sustain the arrest state, giving rise to clusters of shmooing cells. cac1 MATa HMLa HMRa strains do not form these shmoo clusters, indicating that derepression of HMLalpha causes the shmoo cluster phenotype in cac1 cells. When SIR3 is reintroduced into sir1 sir3 cells, HML remains derepressed indicating that SIR1 is required for the re-establishment of silencing at HML. In contrast, when SIR3 is reintroduced into cac1 sir3 cells, silencing is restored to HML, indicating that CAF-I is not required for the re-establishment of silencing. Loss of the other CAF-I subunits (Cac2p and Cac3p/Msi1p) also results in the shmoo cluster phenotype, implying that loss of CAF-I activity gives rise to this unstable repression of HML. Strains carrying certain mutations in the amino terminus of histone H4 and strains with limiting amounts of Sir2p or Sir3p also form shmoo clusters, implying that the shmoo cluster phenotype is indicative of defects in maintenance of the structural integrity of silent chromatin. MATa cac- sir1 double mutants have a synergistic mating defect, suggesting that the two silencing mechanisms, establishment and maintenance, function cooperatively. We propose a model to explain the distinctions between the establishment and the maintenance of silent chromatin.

The yeast HPR1 gene has a functional role in transcriptional elongation that uncovers a novel source of genome instability

The yeast HPR1 gene plays an important role in genome stability, as indicated by the observation that hpr1 mutants have high frequencies of DNA repeat recombination and chromosome loss. Here we report that HPR1 is required for transcriptional elongation. Transcription driven from constitutive and regulated yeast promoters cannot elongate through the bacterial lacZ coding region in hpr1Delta cells, but progresses efficiently through other sequences such as yeast PHO5. We show that HPR1 is not required for transcription activation and that the previously reported effects of hpr1Delta on the activation of different promoters is a consequence of the incapacity of hpr1Delta cells to elongate transcription through lacZ, used as reporter. Transcriptional defects are also observed in yeast DNA sequences of hpr1Delta cells in the presence of the transcription elongation inhibitor 6-azauracil. In all cases, the blockage of transcription elongation in hpr1Delta is associated with both the high frequency of deletions and the increase in plasmid instability that we report here. Therefore, in addition to the identification of a new element involved in transcriptional elongation, our work provides evidence for a new source of genomic instability.

Recombination between DNA repeats in yeast hpr1delta cells is linked to transcription elongation

The induction of recombination by transcription activation has been documented in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Unwinding of the DNA duplex, disruption of chromatin structure or changes in local supercoiling associated with transcription can be indirectly responsible for the stimulation of recombination. Here we provide genetic and molecular evidence for a specific mechanism of stimulation of recombination by transcription. We show that the induction of deletions between repeats in hpr1delta cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is linked to transcription elongation. Molecular analysis of different direct repeat constructs reveals that deletions induced by hpr1delta are specific for repeat constructs in which transcription initiating at an external promoter traverses particular regions of the DNA flanked by the repeats. Transcription becomes HPR1 dependent when elongating through such regions. Both the induction of deletions and the HPR1 dependence of transcription were abolished when a strong terminator was used to prevent transcription from proceeding through the DNA region flanked by the repeats. In contrast to previously reported cases of transcription-induced recombination, there was no correlation between high levels of transcripts and high levels of recombination. Our study provides evidence that direct repeat recombination can be induced by transcriptional elongation.

Identification of a protein that binds to the Ho endonuclease recognition sequence at the yeast mating type locus

Mating type switching in Saccharomyces cerevisiae initiates when Ho endonuclease makes a site-specific double-stranded break at MAT, the yeast mating type locus. To identify other proteins involved in this process, we examined whether extracts prepared from ho- mutants contain additional factors that bind near the recognition sequence for Ho. Using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay, we isolated a chromatographic fraction that contains an activity, named YZbp, which binds to two sequences flanking the recognition sequence at MATalpha and to one sequence overlapping it at MATa. MAT plasmids carrying mutations in the YZbp recognition sequence are cleaved by purified Ho at wild-type efficiencies in an in vitro assay. These same plasmids, however, are not cleaved by Ho inside cells, demonstrating that YZbp acts as a positive activator of in vivo cleavage. YZbp is present in all cell types, even those not undergoing mating type switching, suggesting that it has additional cellular functions.

SUM1-1, a dominant suppressor of SIR mutations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, increases transcriptional silencing at telomeres and HM mating-type loci and decreases chromosome stability

Transcriptional silencing in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae occurs at HML and HMR mating-type loci and telomeres and requires the products of the silent information regulator (SIR) genes. Recent evidence suggests that the silencer- and telomere-binding protein Rap1p initiates silencing by recruiting a complex of Sir proteins to the chromosome, where they act in some way to modify chromatin structure or accessibility. A single allele of the SUM1gene (SUM1-1) which restores silencing at HM loci in strains mutant for any of the four SIR genes was identified a number of years ago. However, conflicting genetic results and the lack of other alleles of SUM1 made it difficult to surmise the wild-type function of SUM1 or the manner in which the SUM1-1 mutation restores silencing in sir mutant strains. Here we report the cloning and characterization of the SUM1 gene and the SUM1-1 mutant allele. Our results indicate that SUM1-1 is an unusual altered-function mutation that can bypass the need for SIR function in HM silencing and increase repression at telomeres. A sum1 deletion mutation has only minor effects on silencing in SIR strains and does not restore silencing in sir mutants. In addition to its effect on transcriptional silencing, the SUM1-1 mutation (but not a sum1 deletion) increases the rate of chromosome loss and cell death. We suggest several speculative models for the action of SUM1-1 in silencing based on these and other data.

The frequency of integrative transformation at phase-specific genes of Candida albicans correlates with their transcriptional state

The phase transition between the white and opaque phenotypes in the switching system of Candida albicans strain WO-1 is accompanied by the differential expression of the white-specific gene WH11 and the opaque-specific gene PEP1. The frequency of integrative transformation at the white-specific gene locus WH11 is between 4.5 and 7.0 times more frequent in white than in opaque spheroplasts, and the frequency of disruptive transformation at the opaque-specific gene locus PEP1 is 30.5 times more frequent in opaque spheroplasts than in white spheroplasts. In contrast, the frequencies of integrative transformation at the constitutively expressed loci ADE2 and EF1 alpha 2 are similar in the white and opaque phases. Therefore, the frequency of integration of linear plasmid DNA containing sequences of phase-specific genes correlates with the transcriptional state of the targeted locus.

High-frequency gene conversion between repeated C mu sequences integrated at the chromosomal immunoglobulin mu locus in mouse hybridoma cells

The occurrence of mitotic recombination between repeated immunoglobulin mu gene constant (C mu) region sequences stably integrated at the haploid chromosomal immunoglobulin mu locus in murine hybridoma cells was investigated. Recombination events are detected as changes in hapten-specific immunoglobulin M production. Recombination occurs with high frequency (0.5 to 0.8%) by a mechanism consistent with gene conversion. A double-strand break repair-like mechanism is suggested by the finding that repair of a 2-bp deletion mutation and a 2-bp insertion mutation occurs with parity in a donor-directed manner. The results also suggest that the gene conversion process is directional in that the 5' C mu region sequence is preferentially converted.

Interaction of the yeast RAD7 and SIR3 proteins: implications for DNA repair and chromatin structure

We have used the two-hybrid system to identify proteins that interact with the product of RAD7, a gene involved in DNA repair. A screen of a yeast genomic DNA-GAL4 activation domain (GAD) fusion gene library allowed the isolation of plasmids containing sequences corresponding to the 3' end of the SIR3 gene. This gene is known to be involved in the production of transcriptionally silent DNA at the cryptic mating-type cassettes and at telomeres. The cloned sequences coded for amino acids 307-979 of the Sir3 protein. A sir3 deletion allele, constructed in an isogenic rad7-deletion strain, rescued approximately one-quarter of the UV sensitivity associated with the rad7 deletion, indicating that the two genes interact genetically. Radiolabeled fusion proteins, made with the glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene in the vector pGEX-2T, were purified from Escherichia coli and shown to interact in vitro. This evidence suggests that the Sir3 protein interacts with the Rad7 protein to allow the nucleotide excision repair complex access to transcriptionally inactive chromatin. The proportions of 5-FOA-resistant cells in cultures from isogenic RAD+ and rad7-delta strains containing a telomeric URA3 gene were similar, suggesting that the RAD7 gene is not involved in the production or structure of transcriptionally silent chromatin at the telomeres. RAD7-dependent DNA repair of transcriptionally silent chromatin was shown not to induce expression of a telomeric copy of the URA3 gene, suggesting that repair of transcriptionally silent chromatin differs from transcriptionally active chromatin. Expression of a telomeric copy of the URA3 gene was stimulated in a rad7-delta mutant, suggesting that repair of lesions in the absence of Rad7 can result in the activation of transcriptionally silenced genes.

Silencers and domains of generalized repression

Gene expression can be affected by the chromosomal position of the gene. An example of this position effect is silencing of the HML and HMR mating-type loci of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. An in vitro assay revealed that silencing induced a transcription-independent general occlusion of the DNA at HMR from sequence-specific interactions of proteins with DNA. The minimum boundaries of the silenced chromatin structure were determined, as were the contributions of the E and I silencers to the size of the silenced domain. Examination of endonuclease-sensitive sites provided evidence that neither the integrity of the chromosomal duplex nor covalent linkage of the silencers to HMR was important for maintenance of the silenced structure in vitro.

High-frequency loss of specific immunoglobulin production in hybridoma cell lines bearing a chromosomal immunoglobulin kappa gene modified by homologous recombination

We have examined the stability of trinitrophenyl (TNP) -specific IgM production in hybridoma cell lines in which homologous recombination was used to change the variable region of an endogenous chromosomal immunoglobulin kappa gene to one specific for TNP. Mutant hybridomas that have lost TNP-specific IgM production are detected with a frequency of approximately 1%. Characterization of the mutant cells reveals a variety of gross rearrangements in the recombinant kappa TNP gene as well as in the endogenous kappa and muTNP genes.

Preferential repair of UV damage in highly transcribed DNA diminishes UV-induced intrachromosomal recombination in mammalian cells

The relationships among transcription, recombination, DNA damage, and repair in mammalian cells were investigated. We monitored the effects of transcription on UV-induced intrachromosomal recombination between neomycin repeats including a promoterless allele and an inducible heteroallele regulated by the mouse mammary tumor virus promoter. Although transcription and UV light separately stimulated recombination, increasing transcription levels reduced UV-induced recombination. Preferential repair of UV damage in transcribed strands was shown in highly transcribed DNA, suggesting that recombination is stimulated by unrepaired UV damage and that increased DNA repair in highly transcribed alleles removes recombinogenic lesions. This study indicates that the genetic consequences of DNA damage depend on transcriptional states and provides a basis for understanding tissue- and gene-specific responses to DNA-damaging agents.

Preferential repair of UV damage in highly transcribed DNA diminishes UV-induced intrachromosomal recombination in mammalian cells

The relationships among transcription, recombination, DNA damage, and repair in mammalian cells were investigated. We monitored the effects of transcription on UV-induced intrachromosomal recombination between neomycin repeats including a promoterless allele and an inducible heteroallele regulated by the mouse mammary tumor virus promoter. Although transcription and UV light separately stimulated recombination, increasing transcription levels reduced UV-induced recombination. Preferential repair of UV damage in transcribed strands was shown in highly transcribed DNA, suggesting that recombination is stimulated by unrepaired UV damage and that increased DNA repair in highly transcribed alleles removes recombinogenic lesions. This study indicates that the genetic consequences of DNA damage depend on transcriptional states and provides a basis for understanding tissue- and gene-specific responses to DNA-damaging agents.

Isolation of silencer-containing sequences causing a tissue-specific position effect on alcohol dehydrogenase expression in Drosophila melanogaster

A transient expression assay has been used to investigate the cause of a tissue-specific position effect on Adh expression from a transgene insertion in Drosophila. A 15.4-kb genomic clone containing the 3.2-kb Adh insert along with flanking regions of genomic DNA is expressed in this assay in a tissue-specific pattern resembling the abnormal expression pattern of the position effect. The 3.2-kb Adh insert is expressed normally without the flanking sequences. A silencer element is located upstream of the Adh gene within a 2-kb fragment that acts in both orientations and at a distance of at least 6.5 kb from the larval Adh promoter to suppress ADH expression in a nontissue specific fashion. The DNA sequence of the 2-kb fragment indicates that it is a noncoding region. A 17-bp sequence is repeated within this region and may be associated with the silencer activity, since subclones from the 2-kb fragment, each containing one of the repeated regions, both retain full silencer activity. This silencer fails to suppress expression from an alpha 1-tubulin promoter-LacZ fusion construct or an hsp70 promoter-Adh fusion construct. In addition to the silencer, another element is located downstream of the Adh gene that produces a higher level of anterior than posterior midgut expression. These results suggest that the 5' silencer and the 3' element act together to create the tissue specific position effect characteristic of the GC-1 line.

Transcriptional silencing in yeast is associated with reduced nucleosome acetylation

Two classes of sequences in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae are subject to transcriptional silencing: the silent mating-type cassettes and telomeres. In this report we demonstrate that the silencing of these regions is strictly associated with acetylation of the epsilon-amino groups of lysines in the amino-terminal domains of three of the four core histones. Both the silent mating-type cassettes and the Y domains of telomeres are packaged in nucleosomes in vivo that are hypoacetylated relative to those packaging active genes. This difference in acetylation is eliminated by genetic inactivation of silencing: The silent cassettes from sir2, sir3, or sir4 cells show the same level of acetylation as other active genes. The correspondence of silencing and hypoacetylation of the mating-type cassettes is observed even for an allele lacking a promoter, indicating that silencing per se, rather than the absence of transcription, is correlated with hypoacetylation. Finally, overexpression of Sir2p, a protein required for transcriptional silencing in yeast, yields substantial histone deacetylation in vivo. These studies fortify the hypothesis that silencing in yeast results from heterochromatin formation and argue that the silencing proteins participate in this formation.

Transcription enhances intrachromosomal homologous recombination in mammalian cells

The influence of transcription on homologous intrachromosomal recombination between direct and inverted repeats has been examined by using Chinese hamster ovary cells. Recombination was monitored between two integrated neomycin (neo) genes, including one silent allele and a second allele regulated by the inducible mouse mammary tumor virus promoter. Transcription of mouse mammary tumor virus neo alleles was regulated with the glucocorticoid hormone dexamethasone. Alleles transcribed at high levels recombined about two- to sevenfold more frequently than identical alleles transcribed at low levels. Direct repeats recombined primarily by a gene conversion mechanism; inverted repeats produced a variety of rearranged products. These results are discussed in relation to recombinational processes that regulate gene expression, influence gene family structures, and mediate genomic instability associated with cellular transformation and tumorigenesis.

Transcription enhances intrachromosomal homologous recombination in mammalian cells

The influence of transcription on homologous intrachromosomal recombination between direct and inverted repeats has been examined by using Chinese hamster ovary cells. Recombination was monitored between two integrated neomycin (neo) genes, including one silent allele and a second allele regulated by the inducible mouse mammary tumor virus promoter. Transcription of mouse mammary tumor virus neo alleles was regulated with the glucocorticoid hormone dexamethasone. Alleles transcribed at high levels recombined about two- to sevenfold more frequently than identical alleles transcribed at low levels. Direct repeats recombined primarily by a gene conversion mechanism; inverted repeats produced a variety of rearranged products. These results are discussed in relation to recombinational processes that regulate gene expression, influence gene family structures, and mediate genomic instability associated with cellular transformation and tumorigenesis.

DNA damage induced mating type switching in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Haploid cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae are able to undergo a differentiation-like process: they can switch their mating type between the a and the alpha state. The molecular mechanism of this interconversion of mating types is intrachromosomal gene conversion. It has been shown in a variety of studies that mating type switching in heterothallic strains can be induced by DNA damaging agents, and that different DNA damaging agents differ in the length of incubation after treatment required for induction. Because X-rays induce switching immediately after irradiation and because the DNA double-strand break repair pathway is required for switching, the event initiating heterothallic mating type switching is likely to be a DNA double-strand break. Therefore the assay for heterothallic mating type switching may screen for the induction of DNA double-strand breaks. Several aspects indicating a relationship of mating type switching to mechanisms associated with carcinogenesis are discussed.

Ectopic recombination within homologous immunoglobulin mu gene constant regions in a mouse hybridoma cell line

We have transferred a pSV2neo vector containing the wild-type constant region of the immunoglobulin mu gene (C mu) into the mutant hybridoma igm482, which bears a 2-bp deletion in the third constant-region exon of its haploid chromosomal mu gene (C mu 3). Independent igm482 transformants contain the wild-type immunoglobulin C mu region stably integrated in ectopic chromosomal positions. We report here that the wild-type immunoglobulin C mu region can function as the donor sequence in a gene conversion event which corrects the 2-bp deletion in the mutant igm482 chromosomal C mu 3 exon. The homologous recombination event restores normal immunoglobulin M production in the mutant cell.

A proposed mechanism for promoter-associated DNA rearrangement events at a variant surface glycoprotein gene expression site

The expressed variant cell surface glycoprotein (VSG) gene of the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei is invariably found at one of several telomeric VSG gene expression sites (ESs). The active ES in variant 118 clone 1 is found on a 1.5-Mb chromosome, and the promoter region is located more than 45 kb upstream of the VSG gene. We had previously shown that DNA rearrangement events occurred in the promoter region, specifically at inactivation of this ES (K. M. Gottesdiener, H.-M. Chung, S. L. Brown, M. G.-S. Lee, and L. H. T. Van der Ploeg, Mol. Cell. Biol. 11:2467-2477, 1991). In this report, we describe the cloning of the entire 17-kb promoter region, which revealed the presence of two identical 2.15-kb tandem promoter repeats separated by 13 kb of DNA. The two virtually identical promoter repeats both function efficiently in directing transcription in transient transfection assays in insect-form trypanosomes. We characterized the DNA rearrangement events that occur at ES inactivation, and by studying both of the reciprocal products of this recombination event, we infer that these result from direct (promoter) repeat recombination, formation of heteroduplex DNA, and a reciprocal exchange event that releases a circular DNA as a side product of the reaction. The finding of DNA recombinational events in a region of the VSG gene ES that encodes the promoter(s), and their relatively frequent occurrence at ES inactivation, suggests a possible role in ES control.

Ectopic recombination within homologous immunoglobulin mu gene constant regions in a mouse hybridoma cell line

We have transferred a pSV2neo vector containing the wild-type constant region of the immunoglobulin mu gene (C mu) into the mutant hybridoma igm482, which bears a 2-bp deletion in the third constant-region exon of its haploid chromosomal mu gene (C mu 3). Independent igm482 transformants contain the wild-type immunoglobulin C mu region stably integrated in ectopic chromosomal positions. We report here that the wild-type immunoglobulin C mu region can function as the donor sequence in a gene conversion event which corrects the 2-bp deletion in the mutant igm482 chromosomal C mu 3 exon. The homologous recombination event restores normal immunoglobulin M production in the mutant cell.

A proposed mechanism for promoter-associated DNA rearrangement events at a variant surface glycoprotein gene expression site

The expressed variant cell surface glycoprotein (VSG) gene of the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei is invariably found at one of several telomeric VSG gene expression sites (ESs). The active ES in variant 118 clone 1 is found on a 1.5-Mb chromosome, and the promoter region is located more than 45 kb upstream of the VSG gene. We had previously shown that DNA rearrangement events occurred in the promoter region, specifically at inactivation of this ES (K. M. Gottesdiener, H.-M. Chung, S. L. Brown, M. G.-S. Lee, and L. H. T. Van der Ploeg, Mol. Cell. Biol. 11:2467-2477, 1991). In this report, we describe the cloning of the entire 17-kb promoter region, which revealed the presence of two identical 2.15-kb tandem promoter repeats separated by 13 kb of DNA. The two virtually identical promoter repeats both function efficiently in directing transcription in transient transfection assays in insect-form trypanosomes. We characterized the DNA rearrangement events that occur at ES inactivation, and by studying both of the reciprocal products of this recombination event, we infer that these result from direct (promoter) repeat recombination, formation of heteroduplex DNA, and a reciprocal exchange event that releases a circular DNA as a side product of the reaction. The finding of DNA recombinational events in a region of the VSG gene ES that encodes the promoter(s), and their relatively frequent occurrence at ES inactivation, suggests a possible role in ES control.

An origin of DNA replication and a transcription silencer require a common element

A eukaryotic chromosomal origin of replication was identified in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. By several criteria, including map position, deletion analysis, and a synthetic form of saturation mutagenesis, the origin co-localized with the HMR-E silencer, which is a DNA element that represses transcription of the adjacent genes. A specific site within the silencer was required for both initiation of chromosomal replication and for repression of transcription. This analysis directly demonstrates that initiation of eukaryotic chromosomal replication is dependent on specific sequence elements and that a particular element can act in both initiation of chromosomal replication and regulation of transcription.

Two alternative pathways of double-strand break repair that are kinetically separable and independently modulated

HO endonuclease-induced double-strand breaks in Saccharomyces cerevisiae can undergo recombination by two distinct and competing pathways. In a plasmid containing a direct repeat, in which one repeat is interrupted by an HO endonuclease cut site, gap repair yields gene conversions while single-strand annealing produces deletions. Consistent with predictions of the single-strand annealing mechanism, deletion formation is not accompanied by the formation of a reciprocal recombination product. Deletions are delayed 60 min when the distance separating the repeats is increased by 4.4 kb. Moreover, the rate of deletion formation corresponds to the time at which complementary regions become single stranded. Gap repair processes are independent of distance but are reduced in rad52 mutants and in G1-arrested cells.

Silencing: the establishment and inheritance of stable, repressed transcription states

Silencing refers to a particular type of transcriptional repression characterized by the formation of a genetically heritable, repressed transcriptional state. Examples of silencing include position-effect variegation, X-chromosome inactivation, and the repression of the silent mating-type gene loci in yeast. Recent discoveries suggest that silencing in yeast, like silencing in larger eukaryotes, results from a particular chromatin structure that defines a chromosomal domain. In addition, a chromosomal origin of DNA replication is required for silencing in yeast, suggesting that DNA replication plays a role in forming functional chromosomal domains.

Two alternative pathways of double-strand break repair that are kinetically separable and independently modulated

HO endonuclease-induced double-strand breaks in Saccharomyces cerevisiae can undergo recombination by two distinct and competing pathways. In a plasmid containing a direct repeat, in which one repeat is interrupted by an HO endonuclease cut site, gap repair yields gene conversions while single-strand annealing produces deletions. Consistent with predictions of the single-strand annealing mechanism, deletion formation is not accompanied by the formation of a reciprocal recombination product. Deletions are delayed 60 min when the distance separating the repeats is increased by 4.4 kb. Moreover, the rate of deletion formation corresponds to the time at which complementary regions become single stranded. Gap repair processes are independent of distance but are reduced in rad52 mutants and in G1-arrested cells.

Active genes in budding yeast display enhanced in vivo accessibility to foreign DNA methylases: a novel in vivo probe for chromatin structure of yeast

Unlike higher eukaryotes, where an inverse correlation has been generally observed between gene expression and methylation of CpG sites, the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae lacks DNA methylation. Gene regulatory mechanisms can function independently of DNA methylation in yeast, and yeast strains expressing foreign DNA methylases that modify adenine and CpG residues have been found to be viable. We have used such strains to determine whether the transcriptional status of genes can influence the level of their DNA methylation in vivo. Several genes were tested, for example, GAL1, -7, and -10, PHO5, HMRa and HML alpha, and STE2 and STE3. Surprisingly, we found that all the genes displayed severalfold more methylation in the expressed state as compared to the repressed state. This procedure serves as a novel in vivo probe for the chromatin structure of yeast and potentially for higher eukaryotes.

A synthetic silencer mediates SIR-dependent functions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Copies of the mating-type genes are present at three loci on chromosome III of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The genes at the MAT locus are transcribed, whereas the identical genes at the silent loci, HML and HMR, are not transcribed. Several genes, including the four SIR genes, and two sites, HMR-E and HMR-I, are required for repression of transcription at the HMR locus. Three elements have been implicated in the function of the HMR-E silencer: a binding site for the RAP1 protein, a binding site for the ABF1 protein, and an 11-bp consensus sequence common to nearly all autonomously replicating sequence (ARS) elements (putative origins of DNA replication). RAP1 and ABF1 binding sites of different sequence than those found at HMR-E were joined with an 11-bp ARS consensus sequence to form a synthetic silencer. The synthetic silencer was able to repress transcription of the HMRa1 gene, confirming that binding sites for RAP1 and ABF1 and the 11-bp ARS consensus sequence were the functional components of the silencer in vivo. Mutations in the ABF1 binding site or in the ARS consensus sequence of the synthetic silencer caused nearly complete derepression of transcription at HMR. The ARS consensus sequence mutation also eliminated the ARS activity of the synthetic silencer. These data suggested that replication initiation at the HMR-E silencer was required for establishment of the repressed state at the HMR locus.

A synthetic silencer mediates SIR-dependent functions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Copies of the mating-type genes are present at three loci on chromosome III of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The genes at the MAT locus are transcribed, whereas the identical genes at the silent loci, HML and HMR, are not transcribed. Several genes, including the four SIR genes, and two sites, HMR-E and HMR-I, are required for repression of transcription at the HMR locus. Three elements have been implicated in the function of the HMR-E silencer: a binding site for the RAP1 protein, a binding site for the ABF1 protein, and an 11-bp consensus sequence common to nearly all autonomously replicating sequence (ARS) elements (putative origins of DNA replication). RAP1 and ABF1 binding sites of different sequence than those found at HMR-E were joined with an 11-bp ARS consensus sequence to form a synthetic silencer. The synthetic silencer was able to repress transcription of the HMRa1 gene, confirming that binding sites for RAP1 and ABF1 and the 11-bp ARS consensus sequence were the functional components of the silencer in vivo. Mutations in the ABF1 binding site or in the ARS consensus sequence of the synthetic silencer caused nearly complete derepression of transcription at HMR. The ARS consensus sequence mutation also eliminated the ARS activity of the synthetic silencer. These data suggested that replication initiation at the HMR-E silencer was required for establishment of the repressed state at the HMR locus.

A role for CDC7 in repression of transcription at the silent mating-type locus HMR in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The mating-type genes at MAT in Saccharomyces cerevisiae are expressed, whereas the same genes located at HML and HMR are transcriptionally repressed. The DNA element responsible for repression at HMR has been termed a silencer and contains an autonomous replication sequence, a binding site for GRFI/RAPI, and a binding site for ABFI. A double-mutant HMR-E silencer that contains single nucleotide substitutions in both the GRFI/RAPI- and ABFI-binding sites no longer binds either factor in vitro, nor represses transcription at HMR in vivo. In MAT alpha cells, this derepression of a information results in a nonmating phenotype. Second-site suppressor mutations were isolated that restored the alpha mating phenotype to MAT alpha cells containing the double-mutant silencer. One of these suppressors, designated sas1-1, conferred a temperature-sensitive lethal phenotype to the cell. SAS1 was found to be identical to CDC7, a gene which encodes a protein kinase required for the initiation of DNA replication. This new allele of CDC7 was designated cdc7-90. cdc7-90 restored the alpha mating phenotype by restoring silencing. The original allele of CDC7, isolated on the basis of the cell cycle phenotype it confers, also restored silencing, and overexpression of CDC7 interfered with silencing. cdc7-90 did not restore detectable binding of GRFI/RAPI or ABFI to the double-mutant silencer in vitro. These results indicate that a reduced level of CDC7 function restores silencing to a locus defective in binding two factors normally required for silencing.

A role for CDC7 in repression of transcription at the silent mating-type locus HMR in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The mating-type genes at MAT in Saccharomyces cerevisiae are expressed, whereas the same genes located at HML and HMR are transcriptionally repressed. The DNA element responsible for repression at HMR has been termed a silencer and contains an autonomous replication sequence, a binding site for GRFI/RAPI, and a binding site for ABFI. A double-mutant HMR-E silencer that contains single nucleotide substitutions in both the GRFI/RAPI- and ABFI-binding sites no longer binds either factor in vitro, nor represses transcription at HMR in vivo. In MAT alpha cells, this derepression of a information results in a nonmating phenotype. Second-site suppressor mutations were isolated that restored the alpha mating phenotype to MAT alpha cells containing the double-mutant silencer. One of these suppressors, designated sas1-1, conferred a temperature-sensitive lethal phenotype to the cell. SAS1 was found to be identical to CDC7, a gene which encodes a protein kinase required for the initiation of DNA replication. This new allele of CDC7 was designated cdc7-90. cdc7-90 restored the alpha mating phenotype by restoring silencing. The original allele of CDC7, isolated on the basis of the cell cycle phenotype it confers, also restored silencing, and overexpression of CDC7 interfered with silencing. cdc7-90 did not restore detectable binding of GRFI/RAPI or ABFI to the double-mutant silencer in vitro. These results indicate that a reduced level of CDC7 function restores silencing to a locus defective in binding two factors normally required for silencing.

Involvement of the silencer and UAS binding protein RAP1 in regulation of telomere length

The yeast protein RAP1, initially described as a transcriptional regulator, binds in vitro to sequences found in a number of seemingly unrelated genomic loci. These include the silencers at the transcriptionally repressed mating-type genes, the promoters of many genes important for cell growth, and the poly[(cytosine)1-3 adenine] [poly(C1-3A)] repeats of telomeres. Because RAP1 binds in vitro to the poly(C1-3A) repeats of telomeres, it has been suggested that RAP1 may be involved in telomere function in vivo. In order to test this hypothesis, the telomere tract lengths of yeast strains that contained conditionally lethal (ts) rap1 mutations were analyzed. Several rap1ts alleles reduced telomere length in a temperature-dependent manner. In addition, plasmids that contain small, synthetic telomeres with intact or mutant RAP1 binding sites were tested for their ability to function as substrates for poly(C1-3A) addition in vivo. Mutations in the RAP1 binding sites reduced the efficiency of the addition reaction.

Transcription stimulates homologous recombination in mammalian cells

Transcription stimulates homologous recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and has been implicated in the control of recombinational events during the development of mammalian immune systems. Here, we describe a plasmid-based system in which an inducible promoter from the mouse mammary tumor virus is located upstream of heteroallelic neomycin genes carried on two plasmids. Pairs of plasmids are introduced into Chinese hamster ovary cells by electroporation, and recombination is monitored by scoring colonies resistant to the aminoglycoside G418. When transcription is induced with dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid hormone, and double-strand breaks are introduced at mutation sites, recombination is stimulated sixfold over noninduced levels. Inducing transcription in circular substrates or in substrates cleaved at sites distant from the mutations has no detectable effect on recombination between neomycin genes. Results are presented that are consistent with the observed stimulation of recombination occurring before plasmids integrate into the cellular DNA. Our results are discussed in relation to molecular models for extrachromosomal recombination in mammalian cells.