1
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Xu Y, Jiao Y, Liu C, Miao R, Liu C, Wang Y, Ma C, Liu J. R-loop and diseases: the cell cycle matters. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:84. [PMID: 38678239 PMCID: PMC11055327 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-02000-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The cell cycle is a crucial biological process that is involved in cell growth, development, and reproduction. It can be divided into G1, S, G2, and M phases, and each period is closely regulated to ensure the production of two similar daughter cells with the same genetic material. However, many obstacles influence the cell cycle, including the R-loop that is formed throughout this process. R-loop is a triple-stranded structure, composed of an RNA: DNA hybrid and a single DNA strand, which is ubiquitous in organisms from bacteria to mammals. The existence of the R-loop has important significance for the regulation of various physiological processes. However, aberrant accumulation of R-loop due to its limited resolving ability will be detrimental for cells. For example, DNA damage and genomic instability, caused by the R-loop, can activate checkpoints in the cell cycle, which in turn induce cell cycle arrest and cell death. At present, a growing number of factors have been proven to prevent or eliminate the accumulation of R-loop thereby avoiding DNA damage and mutations. Therefore, we need to gain detailed insight into the R-loop resolution factors at different stages of the cell cycle. In this review, we review the current knowledge of factors that play a role in resolving the R-loop at different stages of the cell cycle, as well as how mutations of these factors lead to the onset and progression of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqin Xu
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China
| | - Yue Jiao
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China
| | - Chengbin Liu
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China
| | - Rui Miao
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China
| | - Chunyan Liu
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China
| | - Yilong Wang
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China
| | - Chunming Ma
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China
| | - Jiao Liu
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China.
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2
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Mérida-Cerro JA, Maraver-Cárdenas P, Rondón AG, Aguilera A. Rat1 promotes premature transcription termination at R-loops. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:3623-3635. [PMID: 38281203 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae033] [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: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Certain DNA sequences can adopt a non-B form in the genome that interfere with DNA-templated processes, including transcription. Among the sequences that are intrinsically difficult to transcribe are those that tend to form R-loops, three-stranded nucleic acid structures formed by a DNA-RNA hybrid and the displaced ssDNA. Here we compared the transcription of an endogenous gene with and without an R-loop-forming sequence inserted. We show that, in agreement with previous in vivo and in vitro analyses, transcription elongation is delayed by R-loops in yeast. Importantly, we demonstrate that the Rat1 transcription terminator factor facilitates transcription throughout such structures by inducing premature termination of arrested RNAPIIs. We propose that RNase H degrades the RNA moiety of the hybrid, providing an entry site for Rat1. Thus, we have uncovered an unanticipated function of Rat1 as a transcription restoring factor opening up the possibility that it may also promote transcription through other genomic DNA structures intrinsically difficult to transcribe. If R-loop-mediated transcriptional stress is not relieved by Rat1, it will cause genomic instability, probably through the increase of transcription-replication conflicts, a deleterious situation that could lead to cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Antonio Mérida-Cerro
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla, CSIC, 41092 Seville, Spain; Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
| | - Pablo Maraver-Cárdenas
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla, CSIC, 41092 Seville, Spain; Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
| | - Ana G Rondón
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla, CSIC, 41092 Seville, Spain; Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
| | - Andrés Aguilera
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla, CSIC, 41092 Seville, Spain; Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
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3
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Yague-Sanz C. Shaping the chromatin landscape at rRNA and tRNA genes, an emerging new role for RNA polymerase II transcription? Yeast 2024; 41:135-147. [PMID: 38126234 DOI: 10.1002/yea.3921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic genes must be condensed into chromatin while remaining accessible to the transcriptional machinery to support gene expression. Among the three eukaryotic RNA polymerases (RNAP), RNAPII is unique, partly because of the C-terminal domain (CTD) of its largest subunit, Rpb1. Rpb1 CTD can be extensively modified during the transcription cycle, allowing for the co-transcriptional recruitment of specific interacting proteins. These include chromatin remodeling factors that control the opening or closing of chromatin. How the CTD-less RNAPI and RNAPIII deal with chromatin at rRNA and tRNA genes is less understood. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of how the chromatin at tRNA genes and rRNA genes can be remodeled in response to environmental cues in yeast, with a particular focus on the role of local RNAPII transcription in recruiting chromatin remodelers at these loci. In fission yeast, RNAPII transcription at tRNA genes is important to re-establish a chromatin environment permissive to tRNA transcription, which supports growth from stationary phase. In contrast, local RNAPII transcription at rRNA genes correlates with the closing of the chromatin in starvation in budding and fission yeast, suggesting a role in establishing silent chromatin. These opposite roles might support a general model where RNAPII transcription recruits chromatin remodelers to tRNA and rRNA genes to promote the closing and reopening of chromatin in response to the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Yague-Sanz
- Damien Hermand's Laboratory, URPhyM-GEMO, The University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
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4
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Giannini M, Porrua O. Senataxin: A key actor in RNA metabolism, genome integrity and neurodegeneration. Biochimie 2024; 217:10-19. [PMID: 37558082 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.08.001] [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: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
The RNA/DNA helicase senataxin (SETX) has been involved in multiple crucial processes related to genome expression and integrity such us transcription termination, the regulation of transcription-replication conflicts and the resolution of R-loops. SETX has been the focus of numerous studies since the discovery that mutations in its coding gene are the root cause of two different neurodegenerative diseases: Ataxia with Oculomotor Apraxia type 2 (AOA2) and a juvenile form of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS4). A plethora of cellular phenotypes have been described as the result of SETX deficiency, yet the precise molecular function of SETX as well as the molecular pathways leading from SETX mutations to AOA2 and ALS4 pathologies have remained unclear. However, recent data have shed light onto the biochemical activities and biological roles of SETX, thus providing new clues to understand the molecular consequences of SETX mutation. In this review we summarize near two decades of scientific effort to elucidate SETX function, we discuss strengths and limitations of the approaches and models used thus far to investigate SETX-associated diseases and suggest new possible research avenues for the study of AOA2 and ALS4 pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Giannini
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Odil Porrua
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France.
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5
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Milano L, Gautam A, Caldecott KW. DNA damage and transcription stress. Mol Cell 2024; 84:70-79. [PMID: 38103560 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Genome damage and transcription are intimately linked. Tens to hundreds of thousands of DNA lesions arise in each cell each day, many of which can directly or indirectly impede transcription. Conversely, the process of gene expression is itself a source of endogenous DNA lesions as a result of the susceptibility of single-stranded DNA to damage, conflicts with the DNA replication machinery, and engagement by cells of topoisomerases and base excision repair enzymes to regulate the initiation and progression of gene transcription. Although such processes are tightly regulated and normally accurate, on occasion, they can become abortive and leave behind DNA breaks that can drive genome rearrangements, instability, or cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Milano
- Genome Damage and Stability Centre, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9RQ, UK.
| | - Amit Gautam
- Genome Damage and Stability Centre, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9RQ, UK.
| | - Keith W Caldecott
- Genome Damage and Stability Centre, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9RQ, UK.
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6
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Heuzé J, Kemiha S, Barthe A, Vilarrubias AT, Aouadi E, Aiello U, Libri D, Lin Y, Lengronne A, Poli J, Pasero P. RNase H2 degrades toxic RNA:DNA hybrids behind stalled forks to promote replication restart. EMBO J 2023; 42:e113104. [PMID: 37855233 PMCID: PMC10690446 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2022113104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
R-loops represent a major source of replication stress, but the mechanism by which these structures impede fork progression remains unclear. To address this question, we monitored fork progression, arrest, and restart in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells lacking RNase H1 and H2, two enzymes responsible for degrading RNA:DNA hybrids. We found that while RNase H-deficient cells could replicate their chromosomes normally under unchallenged growth conditions, their replication was impaired when exposed to hydroxyurea (HU) or methyl methanesulfonate (MMS). Treated cells exhibited increased levels of RNA:DNA hybrids at stalled forks and were unable to generate RPA-coated single-stranded (ssDNA), an important postreplicative intermediate in resuming replication. Similar impairments in nascent DNA resection and ssDNA formation at HU-arrested forks were observed in human cells lacking RNase H2. However, fork resection was fully restored by addition of triptolide, an inhibitor of transcription that induces RNA polymerase degradation. Taken together, these data indicate that RNA:DNA hybrids not only act as barriers to replication forks, but also interfere with postreplicative fork repair mechanisms if not promptly degraded by RNase H.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Heuzé
- Institut de Génétique HumaineUniversité de Montpellier, CNRS, Equipe labélisée Ligue contre le CancerMontpellierFrance
| | - Samira Kemiha
- Institut de Génétique HumaineUniversité de Montpellier, CNRS, Equipe labélisée Ligue contre le CancerMontpellierFrance
| | - Antoine Barthe
- Institut de Génétique HumaineUniversité de Montpellier, CNRS, Equipe labélisée Ligue contre le CancerMontpellierFrance
| | - Alba Torán Vilarrubias
- Institut de Génétique HumaineUniversité de Montpellier, CNRS, Equipe labélisée Ligue contre le CancerMontpellierFrance
| | - Elyès Aouadi
- Institut de Génétique HumaineUniversité de Montpellier, CNRS, Equipe labélisée Ligue contre le CancerMontpellierFrance
| | - Umberto Aiello
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques MonodParisFrance
- Department of GeneticsStanford UniversityStanfordCAUSA
| | - Domenico Libri
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques MonodParisFrance
- Present address:
Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de MontpellierUniversité de Montpellier, CNRSMontpellierFrance
| | - Yea‐Lih Lin
- Institut de Génétique HumaineUniversité de Montpellier, CNRS, Equipe labélisée Ligue contre le CancerMontpellierFrance
| | - Armelle Lengronne
- Institut de Génétique HumaineUniversité de Montpellier, CNRS, Equipe labélisée Ligue contre le CancerMontpellierFrance
| | - Jérôme Poli
- Institut de Génétique HumaineUniversité de Montpellier, CNRS, Equipe labélisée Ligue contre le CancerMontpellierFrance
- Institut Universitaire de France (IUF)ParisFrance
| | - Philippe Pasero
- Institut de Génétique HumaineUniversité de Montpellier, CNRS, Equipe labélisée Ligue contre le CancerMontpellierFrance
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7
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Abstract
Transcription and replication both require large macromolecular complexes to act on a DNA template, yet these machineries cannot simultaneously act on the same DNA sequence. Conflicts between the replication and transcription machineries (transcription-replication conflicts, or TRCs) are widespread in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes and have the capacity to both cause DNA damage and compromise complete, faithful replication of the genome. This review will highlight recent studies investigating the genomic locations of TRCs and the mechanisms by which they may be prevented, mitigated, or resolved. We address work from both model organisms and mammalian systems but predominantly focus on multicellular eukaryotes owing to the additional complexities inherent in the coordination of replication and transcription in the context of cell type-specific gene expression and higher-order chromatin organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liana Goehring
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA;
| | - Tony T Huang
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA;
| | - Duncan J Smith
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA;
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8
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Heuzé J, Lin YL, Lengronne A, Poli J, Pasero P. Impact of R-loops on oncogene-induced replication stress in cancer cells. C R Biol 2023; 346:95-105. [PMID: 37779381 DOI: 10.5802/crbiol.123] [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: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Replication stress is an alteration in the progression of replication forks caused by a variety of events of endogenous or exogenous origin. In precancerous lesions, this stress is exacerbated by the deregulation of oncogenic pathways, which notably disrupts the coordination between replication and transcription, and leads to genetic instability and cancer development. It is now well established that transcription can interfere with genome replication in different ways, such as head-on collisions between polymerases, accumulation of positive DNA supercoils or formation of R-loops. These structures form during transcription when nascent RNA reanneals with DNA behind the RNA polymerase, forming a stable DNA:RNA hybrid. In this review, we discuss how these different cotranscriptional processes disrupt the progression of replication forks and how they contribute to genetic instability in cancer cells.
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9
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Penzo A, Dubarry M, Brocas C, Zheng M, Mangione RM, Rougemaille M, Goncalves C, Lautier O, Libri D, Simon MN, Géli V, Dubrana K, Palancade B. A R-loop sensing pathway mediates the relocation of transcribed genes to nuclear pore complexes. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5606. [PMID: 37730746 PMCID: PMC10511428 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41345-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) have increasingly recognized interactions with the genome, as exemplified in yeast, where they bind transcribed or damaged chromatin. By combining genome-wide approaches with live imaging of model loci, we uncover a correlation between NPC association and the accumulation of R-loops, which are genotoxic structures formed through hybridization of nascent RNAs with their DNA templates. Manipulating hybrid formation demonstrates that R-loop accumulation per se, rather than transcription or R-loop-dependent damages, is the primary trigger for relocation to NPCs. Mechanistically, R-loop-dependent repositioning involves their recognition by the ssDNA-binding protein RPA, and SUMO-dependent interactions with NPC-associated factors. Preventing R-loop-dependent relocation leads to lethality in hybrid-accumulating conditions, while NPC tethering of a model hybrid-prone locus attenuates R-loop-dependent genetic instability. Remarkably, this relocation pathway involves molecular factors similar to those required for the association of stalled replication forks with NPCs, supporting the existence of convergent mechanisms for sensing transcriptional and genotoxic stresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Penzo
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Marion Dubarry
- Marseille Cancer Research Center (CRCM), U1068, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), UMR7258, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Aix Marseille University, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Equipe Labélisée Ligue, 13273, Marseille, France
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSA-Lyon, CNRS, UMR5240, Microbiologie, Adaptation et Pathogénie, F-69622, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Clémentine Brocas
- Université Paris Cité, Université Paris-Saclay, INSERM, iRCM/IBFJ CEA, UMR Stabilité Génétique Cellules Souches et Radiations, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Myriam Zheng
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Raphaël M Mangione
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Mathieu Rougemaille
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Coralie Goncalves
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Ophélie Lautier
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Domenico Libri
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Marie-Noëlle Simon
- Marseille Cancer Research Center (CRCM), U1068, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), UMR7258, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Aix Marseille University, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Equipe Labélisée Ligue, 13273, Marseille, France
| | - Vincent Géli
- Marseille Cancer Research Center (CRCM), U1068, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), UMR7258, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Aix Marseille University, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Equipe Labélisée Ligue, 13273, Marseille, France
| | - Karine Dubrana
- Université Paris Cité, Université Paris-Saclay, INSERM, iRCM/IBFJ CEA, UMR Stabilité Génétique Cellules Souches et Radiations, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Benoit Palancade
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75013, Paris, France.
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10
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Choudhary R, Niska-Blakie J, Adhil M, Liberi G, Achar YJ, Giannattasio M, Foiani M. Sen1 and Rrm3 ensure permissive topological conditions for replication termination. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112747. [PMID: 37405920 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Replication forks terminate at TERs and telomeres. Forks that converge or encounter transcription generate topological stress. Combining genetics, genomics, and transmission electron microscopy, we find that Rrm3hPif1 and Sen1hSenataxin helicases assist termination at TERs; Sen1 specifically acts at telomeres. rrm3 and sen1 genetically interact and fail to terminate replication, exhibiting fragility at termination zones (TERs) and telomeres. sen1rrm3 accumulates RNA-DNA hybrids and X-shaped gapped or reversed converging forks at TERs; sen1, but not rrm3, builds up RNA polymerase II (RNPII) at TERs and telomeres. Rrm3 and Sen1 restrain Top1 and Top2 activities, preventing toxic accumulation of positive supercoil at TERs and telomeres. We suggest that Rrm3 and Sen1 coordinate the activities of Top1 and Top2 when forks encounter transcription head on or codirectionally, respectively, thus preventing the slowing down of DNA and RNA polymerases. Hence Rrm3 and Sen1 are indispensable to generate permissive topological conditions for replication termination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramveer Choudhary
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello 16, 20139 Milan, Italy
| | - Joanna Niska-Blakie
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello 16, 20139 Milan, Italy
| | - Mohamood Adhil
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello 16, 20139 Milan, Italy
| | - Giordano Liberi
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza," CNR, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Michele Giannattasio
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello 16, 20139 Milan, Italy; Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Festa del Perdono, 7, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Foiani
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello 16, 20139 Milan, Italy; Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Festa del Perdono, 7, 20122 Milan, Italy.
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11
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Patel HP, Coppola S, Pomp W, Aiello U, Brouwer I, Libri D, Lenstra TL. DNA supercoiling restricts the transcriptional bursting of neighboring eukaryotic genes. Mol Cell 2023; 83:1573-1587.e8. [PMID: 37207624 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
DNA supercoiling has emerged as a major contributor to gene regulation in bacteria, but how DNA supercoiling impacts transcription dynamics in eukaryotes is unclear. Here, using single-molecule dual-color nascent transcription imaging in budding yeast, we show that transcriptional bursting of divergent and tandem GAL genes is coupled. Temporal coupling of neighboring genes requires rapid release of DNA supercoils by topoisomerases. When DNA supercoils accumulate, transcription of one gene inhibits transcription at its adjacent genes. Transcription inhibition of the GAL genes results from destabilized binding of the transcription factor Gal4. Moreover, wild-type yeast minimizes supercoiling-mediated inhibition by maintaining sufficient levels of topoisomerases. Overall, we discover fundamental differences in transcriptional control by DNA supercoiling between bacteria and yeast and show that rapid supercoiling release in eukaryotes ensures proper gene expression of neighboring genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heta P Patel
- Division of Gene Regulation, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Oncode Institute, 1066CX Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Stefano Coppola
- Division of Gene Regulation, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Oncode Institute, 1066CX Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Wim Pomp
- Division of Gene Regulation, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Oncode Institute, 1066CX Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Umberto Aiello
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Ineke Brouwer
- Division of Gene Regulation, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Oncode Institute, 1066CX Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Domenico Libri
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Tineke L Lenstra
- Division of Gene Regulation, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Oncode Institute, 1066CX Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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12
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Brown RE, Su XA, Fair S, Wu K, Verra L, Jong R, Andrykovich K, Freudenreich CH. The RNA export and RNA decay complexes THO and TRAMP prevent transcription-replication conflicts, DNA breaks, and CAG repeat contractions. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001940. [PMID: 36574440 PMCID: PMC9829180 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Expansion of structure-forming CAG/CTG repetitive sequences is the cause of several neurodegenerative disorders and deletion of repeats is a potential therapeutic strategy. Transcription-associated mechanisms are known to cause CAG repeat instability. In this study, we discovered that Thp2, an RNA export factor and member of the THO (suppressors of transcriptional defects of hpr1Δ by overexpression) complex, and Trf4, a key component of the TRAMP (Trf4/5-Air1/2-Mtr4 polyadenylation) complex involved in nuclear RNA polyadenylation and degradation, are necessary to prevent CAG fragility and repeat contractions in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae model system. Depletion of both Thp2 and Trf4 proteins causes a highly synergistic increase in CAG repeat fragility, indicating a complementary role of the THO and TRAMP complexes in preventing genome instability. Loss of either Thp2 or Trf4 causes an increase in RNA polymerase stalling at the CAG repeats and other genomic loci, as well as genome-wide transcription-replication conflicts (TRCs), implicating TRCs as a cause of CAG fragility and instability in their absence. Analysis of the effect of RNase H1 overexpression on CAG fragility, RNAPII stalling, and TRCs suggests that RNAPII stalling with associated R-loops are the main cause of CAG fragility in the thp2Δ mutants. In contrast, CAG fragility and TRCs in the trf4Δ mutant can be compensated for by RPA overexpression, suggesting that excess unprocessed RNA in TRAMP4 mutants leads to reduced RPA availability and high levels of TRCs. Our results show the importance of RNA surveillance pathways in preventing RNAPII stalling, TRCs, and DNA breaks, and show that RNA export and RNA decay factors work collaboratively to maintain genome stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca E. Brown
- Program in Genetics, Tufts University School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Xiaofeng A. Su
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, United States of America
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Stacey Fair
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Katherine Wu
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Lauren Verra
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Robyn Jong
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kristin Andrykovich
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Catherine H. Freudenreich
- Program in Genetics, Tufts University School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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