Single-molecule characterization of extrinsic transcription termination by Sen1 helicase

Mechanism of polyadenylation-independent RNA polymerase II termination

The mechanisms underlying the initiation and elongation of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcription are well-studied, whereas termination remains poorly understood. Here we analyze the mechanism of polyadenylation-independent Pol II termination mediated by the yeast Sen1 helicase. Cryo-electron microscopy structures of two pretermination intermediates show that Sen1 binds to Pol II and uses its adenosine triphosphatase activity to pull on exiting RNA in the 5' direction. This is predicted to push Pol II forward, induce an unstable hypertranslocated state and destabilize the transcription bubble, thereby facilitating termination. This mechanism of transcription termination may be widely used because it is conceptually conserved in the bacterial transcription system.

Sen1: The Varied Virtues of a Multifaceted Helicase

Several machineries concurrently work on the DNA, but among them RNA Polymerases (RNAPs) are the most widespread and active users. The homeostasis of such a busy genomic environment relies on the existence of mechanisms that allow limiting transcription to a functional level, both in terms of extent and rate. Sen1 is a central player in this sense: using its translocase activity this protein has evolved the specific function of dislodging RNAPs from the DNA template, thus ending the transcription cycle. Over the years, studies have shown that Sen1 uses this same mechanism in a multitude of situations, allowing termination of all three eukaryotic RNAPs in different contexts. In virtue of its helicase activity, Sen1 has also been proposed to have a prominent function in the resolution of co-transcriptional genotoxic R-loops, which can cause the stalling of replication forks. In this review, we provide a synopsis of past and recent findings on the functions of Sen1 in yeast and of its human homologue Senataxin (SETX).

Single-mode termination of phage transcriptions, disclosing bacterial adaptation for facilitated reinitiations

Bacterial and bacteriophage RNA polymerases (RNAPs) have divergently evolved and share the RNA hairpin-dependent intrinsic termination of transcription. Here, we examined phage T7, T3 and SP6 RNAP terminations utilizing the single-molecule fluorescence assays we had developed for bacterial terminations. We discovered the phage termination mode or outcome is virtually single with decomposing termination. Therein, RNAP is displaced forward along DNA and departs both RNA and DNA for one-step decomposition, three-dimensional diffusion and reinitiation at any promoter. This phage displacement-mediated decomposing termination is much slower than readthrough and appears homologous with the bacterial one. However, the phage sole mode of termination contrasts with the bacterial dual mode, where both decomposing and recycling terminations occur compatibly at any single hairpin- or Rho-dependent terminator. In the bacterial recycling termination, RNA is sheared from RNA·DNA hybrid, and RNAP remains bound to DNA for one-dimensional diffusion, which enables facilitated recycling for reinitiation at the nearest promoter located downstream or upstream in the sense or antisense orientation. Aligning with proximity of most terminators to adjacent promoters in bacterial genomes, the shearing-mediated recycling termination could be bacterial adaptation for the facilitated reinitiations repeated at a promoter for accelerated expression and coupled at adjoining promoters for coordinated regulation.

Single-molecule reconstruction of eukaryotic factor-dependent transcription termination

Factor-dependent termination uses molecular motors to remodel transcription machineries, but the associated mechanisms, especially in eukaryotes, are poorly understood. Here we use single-molecule fluorescence assays to characterize in real time the composition and the catalytic states of Saccharomyces cerevisiae transcription termination complexes remodeled by Sen1 helicase. We confirm that Sen1 takes the RNA transcript as its substrate and translocates along it by hydrolyzing multiple ATPs to form an intermediate with a stalled RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcription elongation complex (TEC). We show that this intermediate dissociates upon hydrolysis of a single ATP leading to dissociation of Sen1 and RNA, after which Sen1 remains bound to the RNA. We find that Pol II ends up in a variety of states: dissociating from the DNA substrate, which is facilitated by transcription bubble rewinding, being retained to the DNA substrate, or diffusing along the DNA substrate. Our results provide a complete quantitative framework for understanding the mechanism of Sen1-dependent transcription termination in eukaryotes.

Compatibility of termination mechanisms in bacterial transcription with inference on eukaryotic models

Transcription termination has evolved to proceed through diverse mechanisms. For several classes of terminators, multiple models have been debatably proposed. Recent single-molecule studies on bacterial terminators have resolved several long-standing controversies. First, termination mode or outcome is twofold rather than single. RNA is released alone before DNA or together with DNA from RNA polymerase (RNAP), i.e. with RNA release for termination, RNAP retains on or dissociates off DNA, respectively. The concomitant release, described in textbooks, results in one-step decomposition of transcription complexes, and this 'decomposing termination' prevails at ρ factor-dependent terminators. Contrastingly, the sequential release was recently discovered abundantly from RNA hairpin-dependent intrinsic terminations. RNA-only release allows RNAP to diffuse on DNA in both directions and recycle for reinitiation. This 'recycling termination' enables one-dimensional reinitiation, which would be more expeditious than three-dimensional reinitiation by RNAP dissociated at decomposing termination. Second, while both recycling and decomposing terminations occur at a hairpin-dependent terminator, four termination mechanisms compatibly operate at a ρ-dependent terminator with ρ in alternative modes and even intrinsically without ρ. RNA-bound catch-up ρ mediates recycling termination first and decomposing termination later, while RNAP-prebound stand-by ρ invokes only decomposing termination slowly. Without ρ, decomposing termination occurs slightly and sluggishly. These four mechanisms operate on distinct timescales, providing orderly fail-safes. The stand-by mechanism is benefited by terminational pause prolongation and modulated by accompanying riboswitches more greatly than the catch-up mechanisms. Conclusively, any mechanism alone is insufficient to perfect termination, and multiple mechanisms operate compatibly to achieve maximum possible efficiency under separate controls.

Single-molecule characterization of Sen1 translocation properties provides insights into eukaryotic factor-dependent transcription termination

Sen1 is an essential helicase for factor-dependent transcription termination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, whose molecular-motor mechanism has not been well addressed. Here, we use single-molecule experimentation to better understand the molecular-motor determinants of its action on RNA polymerase II (Pol II) complex. We quantify Sen1 translocation activity on single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), finding elevated translocation rates, high levels of processivity and ATP affinities. Upon deleting the N- and C-terminal domains, or further deleting different parts of the prong subdomain, which is an essential element for transcription termination, Sen1 displays changes in its translocation properties, such as slightly reduced translocation processivities, enhanced translocation rates and statistically identical ATP affinities. Although these parameters fulfil the requirements for Sen1 translocating along the RNA transcript to catch up with a stalled Pol II complex, we observe significant reductions in the termination efficiencies as well as the factions of the formation of the previously described topological intermediate prior to termination, suggesting that the prong may preserve an interaction with Pol II complex during factor-dependent termination. Our results underscore a more detailed rho-like mechanism of Sen1 and a critical interaction between Sen1 and Pol II complex for factor-dependent transcription termination in eukaryotes.

Nucleosome Dynamics Derived at the Single-Molecule Level Bridges Its Structures and Functions

Nucleosome, the building block of chromatin, plays pivotal roles in all DNA-related processes. While cryogenic-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has significantly advanced our understanding of nucleosome structures, the emerging field of single-molecule force spectroscopy is illuminating their dynamic properties. This technique is crucial for revealing how nucleosome behavior is influenced by chaperones, remodelers, histone variants, and post-translational modifications, particularly in their folding and unfolding mechanisms under tension. Such insights are vital for deciphering the complex interplay in nucleosome assembly and structural regulation, highlighting the nucleosome's versatility in response to DNA activities. In this Perspective, we aim to consolidate the latest advancements in nucleosome dynamics, with a special focus on the revelations brought forth by single-molecule manipulation. Our objective is to highlight the insights gained from studying nucleosome dynamics through this innovative approach, emphasizing the transformative impact of single-molecule manipulation techniques in the field of chromatin research.

Correlative Escherichia coli Transcription Rate and Bubble Conformation Remodeled by NusA and NusG

Transcription is highly regulated by a variety of transcription factors, among which NusA and NusG act contradictorily in Escherichia coli (E. coli) that NusA stabilizes a paused RNA polymerase (RNAP) and NusG suppresses it. The mechanism of the NusA and NusG regulations on RNAP transcription has been addressed, but their effect on the conformational changes of the transcription bubble correlated with transcription kinetics remains elusive. By using single-molecule magnetic trap, we identify a reduction in the transcription rate of ∼40% events by NusA. Although the rest ∼60% of transcription events exhibit unaffected transcription rates, a NusA-enhanced standard deviation of the transcription rate is observed. NusA remodeling also increases the extent of DNA unwinding in the transcription bubble by 1-2 base pairs, which can be reduced by NusG. The NusG remodeling is more significant on the RNAP molecules with reduced transcription rates rather than those without. Our results provide a quantitative view on the mechanisms of transcriptional regulation by NusA and NusG factors.

An integrated model for termination of RNA polymerase III transcription

RNA polymerase III (RNAPIII) synthesizes essential and abundant noncoding RNAs such as transfer RNAs. Controlling RNAPIII span of activity by accurate and efficient termination is a challenging necessity to ensure robust gene expression and to prevent conflicts with other DNA-associated machineries. The mechanism of RNAPIII termination is believed to be simpler than that of other eukaryotic RNA polymerases, solely relying on the recognition of a T-tract in the nontemplate strand. Here, we combine high-resolution genome-wide analyses and in vitro transcription termination assays to revisit the mechanism of RNAPIII transcription termination in budding yeast. We show that T-tracts are necessary but not always sufficient for termination and that secondary structures of the nascent RNAs are important auxiliary cis-acting elements. Moreover, we show that the helicase Sen1 plays a key role in a fail-safe termination pathway. Our results provide a comprehensive model illustrating how multiple mechanisms cooperate to ensure efficient RNAPIII transcription termination.

Sen1 is a key regulator of transcription-driven conflicts

Cellular homeostasis requires the coordination of several machineries concurrently engaged in the DNA. Wide-spread transcription can interfere with other processes, and transcription-replication conflicts (TRCs) threaten genome stability. The conserved Sen1 helicase not only terminates non-coding transcription but also interacts with the replisome and reportedly resolves genotoxic R-loops. Sen1 prevents genomic instability, but how this relates to its molecular functions remains unclear. We generated high-resolution, genome-wide maps of transcription-dependent conflicts and R-loops using a Sen1 mutant that has lost interaction with the replisome but is termination proficient. We show that, under physiological conditions, Sen1 removes RNA polymerase II at TRCs within genes and the rDNA and at sites of transcription-transcription conflicts, thus qualifying as a "key regulator of conflicts." We demonstrate that genomic stability is affected by Sen1 mutation only when in addition to its role at the replisome, the termination of non-coding transcription or R-loop removal are additionally compromised.

Pervasive transcription: a controlled risk

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.

Probing steps in DNA transcription using single-molecule methods

Transcriptional regulation is one of the key steps in determining gene expression. Diverse single-molecule techniques have been applied to characterize the stepwise progression of transcription, yielding complementary results. These techniques include, but are not limited to, fluorescence-based microscopy with single or multiple colors, force measuring and manipulating microscopy using magnetic field or light, and atomic force microscopy. Here, we summarize and evaluate these current methodologies in studying and resolving individual steps in the transcription reaction, which encompasses RNA polymerase binding, initiation, elongation, mRNA production, and termination. We also describe the advantages and disadvantages of each method for studying transcription.

Steps toward translocation-independent RNA polymerase inactivation by terminator ATPase ρ

Factor-dependent transcription termination mechanisms are poorly understood. We determined a series of cryo-electron microscopy structures portraying the hexameric adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) ρ on a pathway to terminating NusA/NusG-modified elongation complexes. An open ρ ring contacts NusA, NusG, and multiple regions of RNA polymerase, trapping and locally unwinding proximal upstream DNA. NusA wedges into the ρ ring, initially sequestering RNA. Upon deflection of distal upstream DNA over the RNA polymerase zinc-binding domain, NusA rotates underneath one capping ρ subunit, which subsequently captures RNA. After detachment of NusG and clamp opening, RNA polymerase loses its grip on the RNA:DNA hybrid and is inactivated. Our structural and functional analyses suggest that ρ, and other termination factors across life, may use analogous strategies to allosterically trap transcription complexes in a moribund state.