1
|
Noireterre A, Soudet J, Bagdiul I, Stutz F. The cullin Rtt101 promotes ubiquitin-dependent DNA-protein crosslink repair across the cell cycle. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:9654-9670. [PMID: 39077933 PMCID: PMC11381328 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA-protein crosslinks (DPCs) challenge faithful DNA replication and smooth passage of genomic information. Our study unveils the cullin E3 ubiquitin ligase Rtt101 as a DPC repair factor. Genetic analyses demonstrate that Rtt101 is essential for resistance to a wide range of DPC types including topoisomerase 1 crosslinks, in the same pathway as the ubiquitin-dependent aspartic protease Ddi1. Using an in vivo inducible Top1-mimicking DPC system, we reveal the significant impact of Rtt101 ubiquitination on DPC removal across different cell cycle phases. High-throughput methods coupled with next-generation sequencing specifically highlight the association of Rtt101 with replisomes as well as colocalization with DPCs. Our findings establish Rtt101 as a main contributor to DPC repair throughout the yeast cell cycle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Noireterre
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Julien Soudet
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Ivona Bagdiul
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Françoise Stutz
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Morse K, Bishop AL, Swerdlow S, Leslie JM, Ünal E. Swi/Snf chromatin remodeling regulates transcriptional interference and gene repression. Mol Cell 2024; 84:3080-3097.e9. [PMID: 39043178 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.06.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
Alternative transcription start sites can affect transcript isoform diversity and translation levels. In a recently described form of gene regulation, coordinated transcriptional and translational interference results in transcript isoform-dependent changes in protein expression. Specifically, a long undecoded transcript isoform (LUTI) is transcribed from a gene-distal promoter, interfering with expression of the gene-proximal promoter. Although transcriptional and chromatin features associated with LUTI expression have been described, the mechanism underlying LUTI-based transcriptional interference is not well understood. Using an unbiased genetic approach followed by functional genomics, we uncovered that the Swi/Snf chromatin remodeling complex is required for co-transcriptional nucleosome remodeling that leads to LUTI-based repression. We identified genes with tandem promoters that rely on Swi/Snf function for transcriptional interference during protein folding stress, including LUTI-regulated genes. This study provides clear evidence for Swi/Snf playing a direct role in gene repression via a cis transcriptional interference mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlin Morse
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Barker Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Alena L Bishop
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Barker Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Sarah Swerdlow
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Barker Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Jessica M Leslie
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Barker Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Elçin Ünal
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Barker Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Greenlaw AC, Alavattam KG, Tsukiyama T. Post-transcriptional regulation shapes the transcriptome of quiescent budding yeast. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:1043-1063. [PMID: 38048329 PMCID: PMC10853787 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
To facilitate long-term survival, cells must exit the cell cycle and enter quiescence, a reversible non-replicative state. Budding yeast cells reprogram their gene expression during quiescence entry to silence transcription, but how the nascent transcriptome changes in quiescence is unknown. By investigating the nascent transcriptome, we identified over a thousand noncoding RNAs in quiescent and G1 yeast cells, and found noncoding transcription represented a larger portion of the quiescent transcriptome than in G1. Additionally, both mRNA and ncRNA are subject to increased post-transcriptional regulation in quiescence compared to G1. We found that, in quiescence, the nuclear exosome-NNS pathway suppresses over one thousand mRNAs, in addition to canonical noncoding RNAs. RNA sequencing through quiescent entry revealed two distinct time points at which the nuclear exosome controls the abundance of mRNAs involved in protein production, cellular organization, and metabolism, thereby facilitating efficient quiescence entry. Our work identified a previously unknown key biological role for the nuclear exosome-NNS pathway in mRNA regulation and uncovered a novel layer of gene-expression control in quiescence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alison C Greenlaw
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Kris G Alavattam
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Toshio Tsukiyama
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
García A, Durán L, Sánchez M, González S, Santamaría R, Antequera F. Asymmetrical nucleosomal DNA signatures regulate transcriptional directionality. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113605. [PMID: 38127622 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the symmetrical structure of nucleosomes, in vitro studies have shown that transcription proceeds with different efficiency depending on the orientation of the DNA sequence around them. However, it is unclear whether this functional asymmetry is present in vivo and whether it could regulate transcriptional directionality. Here, we report that the proximal and distal halves of nucleosomal DNA contribute differentially to nucleosome stability in the genome. In +1 nucleosomes, this asymmetry facilitates or hinders transcription depending on the orientation of its underlying DNA, and this difference is associated with an asymmetrical interaction between DNA and histones. These properties are encoded in the DNA signature of +1 nucleosomes, since its incorporation in the two orientations into downstream nucleosomes renders them asymmetrically accessible to MNase and inverts the balance between sense and antisense transcription. Altogether, our results show that nucleosomal DNA endows nucleosomes with asymmetrical properties that modulate the directionality of transcription.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alicia García
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica (IBFG), CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Laura Durán
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica (IBFG), CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Mar Sánchez
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica (IBFG), CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Sara González
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica (IBFG), CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Rodrigo Santamaría
- Departamento de Informática y Automática, Universidad de Salamanca/Facultad de Ciencias, Plaza de los Caídos s/n, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Francisco Antequera
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica (IBFG), CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37007 Salamanca, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Morse K, Swerdlow S, Ünal E. Swi/Snf Chromatin Remodeling Regulates Transcriptional Interference and Gene Repression. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.27.538572. [PMID: 37162931 PMCID: PMC10168381 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.27.538572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Alternative transcription start sites can affect transcript isoform diversity and translation levels. In a recently described form of gene regulation, coordinated transcriptional and translational interference results in transcript isoform-dependent changes in protein expression. Specifically, a long undecoded transcript isoform (LUTI) is transcribed from a gene-distal promoter, interfering with expression of the gene-proximal promoter. While transcriptional and chromatin features associated with LUTI expression have been described, the mechanism underlying LUTI-based transcriptional interference is not well understood. Using an unbiased genetic approach followed by integrated genomic analysis, we uncovered that the Swi/Snf chromatin remodeling complex is required for co-transcriptional nucleosome remodeling that leads to LUTI-based repression. We identified genes with tandem promoters that rely on Swi/Snf function for transcriptional interference during protein folding stress, including LUTI-regulated genes. To our knowledge, this study is the first to observe Swi/Snf's direct involvement in gene repression via a cis transcriptional interference mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlin Morse
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Barker Hall, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA, 94720
| | - Sarah Swerdlow
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Barker Hall, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA, 94720
| | - Elçin Ünal
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Barker Hall, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA, 94720
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Li B, Zeis P, Zhang Y, Alekseenko A, Fürst E, Sanchez YP, Lin G, Tekkedil MM, Piazza I, Steinmetz LM, Pelechano V. Differential regulation of mRNA stability modulates transcriptional memory and facilitates environmental adaptation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:910. [PMID: 36801853 PMCID: PMC9936472 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36586-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional memory, by which cells respond faster to repeated stimuli, is key for cellular adaptation and organism survival. Chromatin organization has been shown to play a role in the faster response of primed cells. However, the contribution of post-transcriptional regulation is not yet explored. Here we perform a genome-wide screen to identify novel factors modulating transcriptional memory in S. cerevisiae in response to galactose. We find that depletion of the nuclear RNA exosome increases GAL1 expression in primed cells. Our work shows that gene-specific differences in intrinsic nuclear surveillance factor association can enhance both gene induction and repression in primed cells. Finally, we show that primed cells present altered levels of RNA degradation machinery and that both nuclear and cytoplasmic mRNA decay modulate transcriptional memory. Our results demonstrate that mRNA post-transcriptional regulation, and not only transcription regulation, should be considered when investigating gene expression memory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bingnan Li
- Department of Diagnostics, Medical Integration and Practice Center, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China.,SciLifeLab, Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Patrice Zeis
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Genome Biology Unit, Heidelberg, Germany.,Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Yujie Zhang
- SciLifeLab, Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Alisa Alekseenko
- SciLifeLab, Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Eliska Fürst
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC Berlin), Berlin, Germany
| | - Yerma Pareja Sanchez
- SciLifeLab, Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Gen Lin
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Genome Biology Unit, Heidelberg, Germany.,AbbVie Pte Ltd, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Manu M Tekkedil
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Genome Biology Unit, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ilaria Piazza
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC Berlin), Berlin, Germany
| | - Lars M Steinmetz
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Genome Biology Unit, Heidelberg, Germany.,Stanford Genome Technology Center, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA.,Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Vicent Pelechano
- SciLifeLab, Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Liu L, Hu L, Long H, Zheng M, Hu Z, He Y, Gao X, Du P, Zhao H, Yu D, Lu Q, Zhao M. LncRNA IL21-AS1 interacts with hnRNPU protein to promote IL21 overexpression and aberrant differentiation of Tfh cells in systemic lupus erythematosus. Clin Transl Med 2022; 12:e1117. [PMID: 36447054 PMCID: PMC9708910 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aberrant differentiation of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells plays an important role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the mechanism of regulating Tfh cells differentiation remains unclear. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) act as important regulators in the processes of innate and adaptive immune response. Whether lncRNAs are involved in regulating Tfh cell differentiation and autoimmune responses need to be further identified. METHODS The characters and functions of human IL21-AS1 and its mouse homologous lncRNA (mIl21-AS) were investigated by a series of biochemical assays and cell transfection assay. mIl21-AS1 regulating humoral immune response in vivo was explored by keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) and chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) model. RESULTS Human IL21-AS1 and its mouse homologous lncRNA (mIl21-AS) were identified and cloned. We uncovered that IL21-AS1 was highly expressed in CD4+ T cells of SLE patients and Tfh cells, which promoted differentiation of Tfh cells. Mechanistically, IL21-AS1 bound heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U and recruited acetyltransferases CREB-binding protein to the promoter of IL21, leading to the transcriptional activation of IL21 and Tfh cells differentiation through increasing Histone H3 acetylation level on IL21 promoter. Moreover, Tfh proportion and antibodies production were significantly increased in mIl21-AS knock-in mice immunized with KLH. mIl21-AS1 overexpression also exacerbated the lupus-like phenotype in cGVHD mice model. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that IL21-AS1 activates IL21 transcription via epigenetic mechanism to promote germinal centre response, adding insight into the molecular regulation of autoimmune pathogenesis and providing a novel target for SLE treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Limin Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Major Skin Diseases and Skin Health of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
- Department of Medical Science Laboratory, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, China
| | - Longyuan Hu
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Major Skin Diseases and Skin Health of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Haojun Long
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Major Skin Diseases and Skin Health of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Meiling Zheng
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Major Skin Diseases and Skin Health of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Zhi Hu
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Major Skin Diseases and Skin Health of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Ye He
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Major Skin Diseases and Skin Health of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaofei Gao
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Major Skin Diseases and Skin Health of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Pei Du
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Major Skin Diseases and Skin Health of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Hongjun Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Di Yu
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Qianjin Lu
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
| | - Ming Zhao
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Major Skin Diseases and Skin Health of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wang W, Zhou Z, Dai X, Wang H, Jin J, Min K, Wang Y, Lv M, Liu Y, Zhou Y. LncRNA-ENST00000543604 exerts a tumor-promoting effect via miRNA 564/AEG-1 or ZNF326/EMT and predicts the prognosis of and chemotherapeutic effect in colorectal cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:960481. [PMID: 36081570 PMCID: PMC9445881 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.960481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Colorectal cancer(CRC) is a common malignant tumor. Recent studies have found that lncRNAs play an important role in the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer. Methods Based on high-throughput sequencing results of fresh CRC tissues and adjacent tissues, we identified lncRNA-ENST00000543604 (lncRNA 604) as the research object by qRT-PCR in CRC tissues and cells. We explored the mechanism of lncRNA 604 action by using luciferin reporter, qRT-PCR and Western blot assays. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and a Cox regression model were used to analyze the correlation of lncRNA 604 and its regulatory molecules with the prognosis of and chemotherapy efficacy in CRC patients. Results In this study, we found that the expression levels of lncRNA 604 were increased in CRC. LncRNA 604 could promote CRC cell proliferation and metastasis through the miRNA 564/AEG-1 or ZNF326/EMT signaling axis in vivo and in vitro. LncRNA 604 could predict the prognosis of CRC and was an independent negative factor. LncRNA 604 exerted a synergistic effect with miRNA 564 or ZNF326 on the prognosis of CRC. LncRNA 604 could improve chemoresistance by increasing the expression of AEG-1, NF-κB, and ERCC1. Conclusions Our study demonstrated that lncRNA 604 could promote the progression of CRC via the lncRNA 604/miRNA 564/AEG-1/EMT or lncRNA 604/ZNF326/EMT signaling axis. LncRNA 604 could improve chemoresistance by increasing drug resistance protein expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weimin Wang
- Institute of Combining Chinese Traditional and Western Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Oncology, Yixing Hospital Affiliated to Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhen Zhou
- Institute of Combining Chinese Traditional and Western Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaojun Dai
- Institute of Combining Chinese Traditional and Western Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Haibo Wang
- Institute of Combining Chinese Traditional and Western Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jun Jin
- Department of Oncology, Yixing Hospital Affiliated to Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ke Min
- Department of Oncology, Yixing Hospital Affiliated to Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yunfan Wang
- Department of Oncology, Yixing Hospital Affiliated to Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mengying Lv
- Institute of Combining Chinese Traditional and Western Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yanqing Liu
- Institute of Combining Chinese Traditional and Western Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Oncology, Yixing Hospital Affiliated to Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu, China
- *Correspondence: Yanqing Liu, ; Yan Zhou,
| | - Yan Zhou
- Institute of Combining Chinese Traditional and Western Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Oncology, Yixing Hospital Affiliated to Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu, China
- *Correspondence: Yanqing Liu, ; Yan Zhou,
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Molenaar TM, van Leeuwen F. SETD2: from chromatin modifier to multipronged regulator of the genome and beyond. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:346. [PMID: 35661267 PMCID: PMC9167812 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04352-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Histone modifying enzymes play critical roles in many key cellular processes and are appealing proteins for targeting by small molecules in disease. However, while the functions of histone modifying enzymes are often linked to epigenetic regulation of the genome, an emerging theme is that these enzymes often also act by non-catalytic and/or non-epigenetic mechanisms. SETD2 (Set2 in yeast) is best known for associating with the transcription machinery and methylating histone H3 on lysine 36 (H3K36) during transcription. This well-characterized molecular function of SETD2 plays a role in fine-tuning transcription, maintaining chromatin integrity, and mRNA processing. Here we give an overview of the various molecular functions and mechanisms of regulation of H3K36 methylation by Set2/SETD2. These fundamental insights are important to understand SETD2’s role in disease, most notably in cancer in which SETD2 is frequently inactivated. SETD2 also methylates non-histone substrates such as α-tubulin which may promote genome stability and contribute to the tumor-suppressor function of SETD2. Thus, to understand its role in disease, it is important to understand and dissect the multiple roles of SETD2 within the cell. In this review we discuss how histone methylation by Set2/SETD2 has led the way in connecting histone modifications in active regions of the genome to chromatin functions and how SETD2 is leading the way to showing that we also have to look beyond histones to truly understand the physiological role of an ‘epigenetic’ writer enzyme in normal cells and in disease.
Collapse
|
10
|
Villa T, Porrua O. Pervasive transcription: a controlled risk. FEBS J 2022. [PMID: 35587776 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Transcriptome-wide interrogation of eukaryotic genomes has unveiled the pervasive nature of RNA polymerase II transcription. Virtually, any DNA region with an accessible chromatin structure can be transcribed, resulting in a mass production of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) with the potential of interfering with gene expression programs. Budding yeast has proved to be a powerful model organism to understand the mechanisms at play to control pervasive transcription and overcome the risks of hazardous disruption of cellular functions. In this review, we focus on the actors and strategies yeasts employ to govern ncRNA production, and we discuss recent findings highlighting the dangers of losing control over pervasive transcription.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Villa
- Institut Jacques Monod CNRS, Université de Paris Cité France
| | - Odil Porrua
- Institut Jacques Monod CNRS, Université de Paris Cité France
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Soudet J, Beyrouthy N, Pastucha AM, Maffioletti A, Menéndez D, Bakir Z, Stutz F. Antisense-mediated repression of SAGA-dependent genes involves the HIR histone chaperone. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:4515-4528. [PMID: 35474134 PMCID: PMC9071385 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic genomes are pervasively transcribed by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII), and transcription of long non-coding RNAs often overlaps with coding gene promoters. This might lead to coding gene repression in a process named Transcription Interference (TI). In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, TI is mainly driven by antisense non-coding transcription and occurs through re-shaping of promoter Nucleosome-Depleted Regions (NDRs). In this study, we developed a genetic screen to identify new players involved in Antisense-Mediated Transcription Interference (AMTI). Among the candidates, we found the HIR histone chaperone complex known to be involved in de novo histone deposition. Using genome-wide approaches, we reveal that HIR-dependent histone deposition represses the promoters of SAGA-dependent genes via antisense non-coding transcription. However, while antisense transcription is enriched at promoters of SAGA-dependent genes, this feature is not sufficient to define the mode of gene regulation. We further show that the balance between HIR-dependent nucleosome incorporation and transcription factor binding at promoters directs transcription into a SAGA- or TFIID-dependent regulation. This study sheds light on a new connection between antisense non-coding transcription and the nature of coding transcription initiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julien Soudet
- Correspondence may also be addressed to Julien Soudet.
| | - Nissrine Beyrouthy
- Dept. of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Anna Marta Pastucha
- Dept. of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Maffioletti
- Dept. of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Dario Menéndez
- Dept. of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Zahra Bakir
- Dept. of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Françoise Stutz
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +41 22 379 6729;
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Haidara N, Giannini M, Porrua O. Modulated termination of non-coding transcription partakes in the regulation of gene expression. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:1430-1448. [PMID: 35037029 PMCID: PMC8860598 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab1304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Pervasive transcription is a universal phenomenon leading to the production of a plethora of non-coding RNAs. If left uncontrolled, pervasive transcription can be harmful for genome expression and stability. However, non-coding transcription can also play important regulatory roles, for instance by promoting the repression of specific genes by a mechanism of transcriptional interference. The efficiency of transcription termination can strongly influence the regulatory capacity of non-coding transcription events, yet very little is known about the mechanisms modulating the termination of non-coding transcription in response to environmental cues. Here, we address this question by investigating the mechanisms that regulate the activity of the main actor in termination of non-coding transcription in budding yeast, the helicase Sen1. We identify a phosphorylation at a conserved threonine of the catalytic domain of Sen1 and we provide evidence that phosphorylation at this site reduces the efficiency of Sen1-mediated termination. Interestingly, we find that this phosphorylation impairs termination at an unannotated non-coding gene, thus repressing the expression of a downstream gene encoding the master regulator of Zn homeostasis, Zap1. Consequently, many additional genes exhibit an expression pattern mimicking conditions of Zn excess, where ZAP1 is naturally repressed. Our findings provide a novel paradigm of gene regulatory mechanism relying on the direct modulation of non-coding transcription termination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nouhou Haidara
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75013 Paris, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Gif sur Yvette, France
| | - Marta Giannini
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Odil Porrua
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75013 Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Lee BB, Woo H, Lee MK, Youn S, Lee S, Roe JS, Lee SY, Kim T. Core promoter activity contributes to chromatin-based regulation of internal cryptic promoters. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:8097-8109. [PMID: 34320189 PMCID: PMC8373055 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
During RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II) transcription, the chromatin structure undergoes dynamic changes, including opening and closing of the nucleosome to enhance transcription elongation and fidelity. These changes are mediated by transcription elongation factors, including Spt6, the FACT complex, and the Set2-Rpd3S HDAC pathway. These factors not only contribute to RNA Pol II elongation, reset the repressive chromatin structures after RNA Pol II has passed, thereby inhibiting aberrant transcription initiation from the internal cryptic promoters within gene bodies. Notably, the internal cryptic promoters of infrequently transcribed genes are sensitive to such chromatin-based regulation but those of hyperactive genes are not. To determine why, the weak core promoters of genes that generate cryptic transcripts in cells lacking transcription elongation factors (e.g. STE11) were replaced with those from more active genes. Interestingly, as core promoter activity increased, activation of internal cryptic promoter dropped. This associated with loss of active histone modifications at the internal cryptic promoter. Moreover, environmental changes and transcription elongation factor mutations that downregulated the core promoters of highly active genes concomitantly increased their cryptic transcription. We therefore propose that the chromatin-based regulation of internal cryptic promoters is mediated by core promoter strength as well as transcription elongation factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Bae Lee
- Department of Life Science and the Research Center for Cellular Homeostasis, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea
| | - Hyeonju Woo
- Department of Life Science and the Research Center for Cellular Homeostasis, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea
| | - Min Kyung Lee
- Department of Life Science and the Research Center for Cellular Homeostasis, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea
| | - SeoJung Youn
- Department of Life Science and the Research Center for Cellular Homeostasis, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea
| | - Sumin Lee
- Department of Life Science and the Research Center for Cellular Homeostasis, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea
| | - Jae-Seok Roe
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Soo Young Lee
- Department of Life Science and the Research Center for Cellular Homeostasis, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea
| | - TaeSoo Kim
- Department of Life Science and the Research Center for Cellular Homeostasis, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Cucinotta CE, Dell RH, Braceros KCA, Tsukiyama T. RSC primes the quiescent genome for hypertranscription upon cell-cycle re-entry. eLife 2021; 10:e67033. [PMID: 34042048 PMCID: PMC8186906 DOI: 10.7554/elife.67033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Quiescence is a reversible G0 state essential for differentiation, regeneration, stem-cell renewal, and immune cell activation. Necessary for long-term survival, quiescent chromatin is compact, hypoacetylated, and transcriptionally inactive. How transcription activates upon cell-cycle re-entry is undefined. Here we report robust, widespread transcription within the first minutes of quiescence exit. During quiescence, the chromatin-remodeling enzyme RSC was already bound to the genes induced upon quiescence exit. RSC depletion caused severe quiescence exit defects: a global decrease in RNA polymerase II (Pol II) loading, Pol II accumulation at transcription start sites, initiation from ectopic upstream loci, and aberrant antisense transcription. These phenomena were due to a combination of highly robust Pol II transcription and severe chromatin defects in the promoter regions and gene bodies. Together, these results uncovered multiple mechanisms by which RSC facilitates initiation and maintenance of large-scale, rapid gene expression despite a globally repressive chromatin state.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rachel H Dell
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research CenterSeattleUnited States
| | - Keean CA Braceros
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research CenterSeattleUnited States
| | - Toshio Tsukiyama
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research CenterSeattleUnited States
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Long non-coding RNAs and splicing. Essays Biochem 2021; 65:723-729. [PMID: 33835135 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20200087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
In this review I focus on the role of splicing in long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) life. First, I summarize differences between the splicing efficiency of protein-coding genes and lncRNAs and discuss why non-coding RNAs are spliced less efficiently. In the second half of the review, I speculate why splice sites are the most conserved sequences in lncRNAs and what additional roles could splicing play in lncRNA metabolism. I discuss the hypothesis that the splicing machinery can, besides its dominant role in intron removal and exon joining, protect cells from undesired transcripts.
Collapse
|
16
|
Saleh MM, Tourigny JP, Zentner GE. Genome-Wide Profiling of Protein-DNA Interactions with Chromatin Endogenous Cleavage and High-Throughput Sequencing (ChEC-Seq ). Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2351:289-303. [PMID: 34382196 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1597-3_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Interactions between regulatory proteins and specific genomic regions are critical for all chromatin-based processes, including transcription, DNA replication, and DNA repair. Genome-wide mapping of such interactions is most commonly performed with chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-Seq), but a number of orthogonal methods employing targeted enzymatic activity have also been introduced. We previously described a genome-wide implementation of chromatin endogenous cleavage (ChEC-Seq), wherein a protein of interest is fused to micrococcal nuclease (MNase) to enable targeted, calcium-dependent genomic cleavage. Here, we describe the ChEC-Seq protocol for use in budding yeast though it can be used in other organisms in conjunction with appropriate methods for introduction of an MNase fusion protein.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gabriel E Zentner
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA.
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Forey R, Barthe A, Tittel-Elmer M, Wery M, Barrault MB, Ducrot C, Seeber A, Krietenstein N, Szachnowski U, Skrzypczak M, Ginalski K, Rowicka M, Cobb JA, Rando OJ, Soutourina J, Werner M, Dubrana K, Gasser SM, Morillon A, Pasero P, Lengronne A, Poli J. A Role for the Mre11-Rad50-Xrs2 Complex in Gene Expression and Chromosome Organization. Mol Cell 2020; 81:183-197.e6. [PMID: 33278361 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2020.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Mre11-Rad50-Xrs2 (MRX) is a highly conserved complex with key roles in various aspects of DNA repair. Here, we report a new function for MRX in limiting transcription in budding yeast. We show that MRX interacts physically and colocalizes on chromatin with the transcriptional co-regulator Mediator. MRX restricts transcription of coding and noncoding DNA by a mechanism that does not require the nuclease activity of Mre11. MRX is required to tether transcriptionally active loci to the nuclear pore complex (NPC), and it also promotes large-scale gene-NPC interactions. Moreover, MRX-mediated chromatin anchoring to the NPC contributes to chromosome folding and helps to control gene expression. Together, these findings indicate that MRX has a role in transcription and chromosome organization that is distinct from its known function in DNA repair.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Romain Forey
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Equipe Labéllisée Ligue contre le Cancer, 34396 Montpellier, France
| | - Antoine Barthe
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Equipe Labéllisée Ligue contre le Cancer, 34396 Montpellier, France
| | - Mireille Tittel-Elmer
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Oncology, Robson DNA Science Centre, Charbonneau Cancer Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Maxime Wery
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR 3244, ncRNA, Epigenetic and Genome Fluidity, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75248 Paris, France
| | - Marie-Bénédicte Barrault
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Cécile Ducrot
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Radiobiology, Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA)/Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale (DRF), 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses Cedex, France
| | - Andrew Seeber
- Center for Advanced Imaging, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; University of Basel and Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Klingelbergstrasse 50, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nils Krietenstein
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Ugo Szachnowski
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR 3244, ncRNA, Epigenetic and Genome Fluidity, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75248 Paris, France
| | - Magdalena Skrzypczak
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Zwirki i Wigury 93, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Ginalski
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Zwirki i Wigury 93, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maga Rowicka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Jennifer A Cobb
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Oncology, Robson DNA Science Centre, Charbonneau Cancer Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Oliver J Rando
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Julie Soutourina
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Michel Werner
- Institut Jacques Monod, CNRS UMR 7592, Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Karine Dubrana
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Radiobiology, Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA)/Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale (DRF), 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses Cedex, France
| | - Susan M Gasser
- University of Basel and Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Klingelbergstrasse 50, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Antonin Morillon
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR 3244, ncRNA, Epigenetic and Genome Fluidity, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75248 Paris, France
| | - Philippe Pasero
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Equipe Labéllisée Ligue contre le Cancer, 34396 Montpellier, France
| | - Armelle Lengronne
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Equipe Labéllisée Ligue contre le Cancer, 34396 Montpellier, France.
| | - Jérôme Poli
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Equipe Labéllisée Ligue contre le Cancer, 34396 Montpellier, France; University of Basel and Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Klingelbergstrasse 50, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Gowthaman U, García-Pichardo D, Jin Y, Schwarz I, Marquardt S. DNA Processing in the Context of Noncoding Transcription. Trends Biochem Sci 2020; 45:1009-1021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2020.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
|
19
|
Palazzo AF, Koonin EV. Functional Long Non-coding RNAs Evolve from Junk Transcripts. Cell 2020; 183:1151-1161. [PMID: 33068526 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.09.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Transcriptome studies reveal pervasive transcription of complex genomes, such as those of mammals. Despite popular arguments for functionality of most, if not all, of these transcripts, genome-wide analysis of selective constraints indicates that most of the produced RNA are junk. However, junk is not garbage. On the contrary, junk transcripts provide the raw material for the evolution of diverse long non-coding (lnc) RNAs by non-adaptive mechanisms, such as constructive neutral evolution. The generation of many novel functional entities, such as lncRNAs, that fuels organismal complexity does not seem to be driven by strong positive selection. Rather, the weak selection regime that dominates the evolution of most multicellular eukaryotes provides ample material for functional innovation with relatively little adaptation involved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander F Palazzo
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada.
| | - Eugene V Koonin
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Ni WJ, Xie F, Leng XM. Terminus-Associated Non-coding RNAs: Trash or Treasure? Front Genet 2020; 11:552444. [PMID: 33101379 PMCID: PMC7522407 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.552444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
3′ untranslated regions (3′ UTRs) of protein-coding genes are well known for their important roles in determining the fate of mRNAs in diverse processes, including trafficking, stabilization, translation, and RNA–protein interactions. However, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) scattered around 3′ termini of the protein-coding genes, here referred to as terminus-associated non-coding RNAs (TANRs), have not attracted wide attention in RNA research. Indeed, whether TANRs are transcriptional noise, degraded mRNA products, alternative 3′ UTRs, or functional molecules has remained unclear for a long time. As a new category of ncRNAs, TANRs are widespread, abundant, and conserved in diverse eukaryotes. The biogenesis of TANRs mainly follows the same promoter model, the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity-dependent model, or the independent promoter model. Functional studies of TANRs suggested that they are significantly involved in the versatile regulation of gene expression. For instance, at the transcriptional level, they can lead to transcriptional interference, induce the formation of gene loops, and participate in transcriptional termination. Furthermore, at the posttranscriptional level, they can act as microRNA sponges, and guide cleavage or modification of target RNAs. Here, we review current knowledge of the potential role of TANRs in the modulation of gene expression. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the current state of knowledge about TANRs, and discuss TANR nomenclature, relation to ncRNAs, cross-talk biogenesis pathways and potential functions. We further outline directions of future studies of TANRs, to promote investigations of this emerging and enigmatic category of RNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Juan Ni
- School of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Fuhua Xie
- School of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Min Leng
- School of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Turowski TW, Tollervey D. Extended ncRNAs Interfere with Promoter Nucleosome Dynamics. Trends Genet 2020; 36:637-639. [PMID: 32546405 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2020.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Eukaryotic genomes generate vast numbers of non-protein-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that can inhibit mRNA synthesis through transcription interference, but the mechanisms are unclear. Gill et al. show that transcription of antisense ncRNAs induces 'elongation marks' on histones in promoter regions. These inhibit active nucleosome positioning required to maintain open transcription-initiation sites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz W Turowski
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - David Tollervey
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| |
Collapse
|