Chromatin decondensation is accompanied by a transient increase in transcriptional output

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00216208%3A11310%2F17%3A10366988" target="_blank" >RIV/00216208:11310/17:10366988 - isvavai.cz</a>

Alternative codes found

RIV/00216208:11110/17:10366988

Result on the web

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/boc.201600032" target="_blank" >http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/boc.201600032</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/boc.201600032" target="_blank" >10.1111/boc.201600032</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Chromatin decondensation is accompanied by a transient increase in transcriptional output

Original language description

The levels of chromatin condensation usually correlate inversely with the levels of transcription. The mechanistic links between chromatin condensation and RNA polymerase II activity remain to be elucidated. In the present work, we sought to experimentally determine whether manipulation of chromatin condensation levels can have a direct effect on transcriptional activity. ResultsWe generated a U-2-OS cell line in which the nascent transcription of a reporter gene could be imaged alongside chromatin compaction levels in living cells. The transcripts were tagged at their 5 end with PP7 stem loops, which can be detected upon expression of a PP7 capsid protein fused to green fluorescent protein. Cycles of global chromatin hypercondensation and decondensation were performed by perfusing culture media of different osmolarities during imaging. We used the fluorescence recovery after photobleaching technique to analyse the transcriptional dynamics in both conditions. Surprisingly, we found that, despite a drop in signal intensity, nascent transcription appeared to continue at the same rate in hypercondensed chromatin. Furthermore, quantification of transcriptional profiles revealed that chromatin decondensation was accompanied by a brief and transient spike in transcriptional output. ConclusionsWe propose a model whereby the initiation of transcription is not impaired in condensed chromatin, but inefficient elongation in these conditions leads to the accumulation of RNA polymerase II at the transcription site. Upon chromatin decondensation, release of the RNA polymerase II halt triggers a wave of transcription, which we detect as a transient spike in activity. SignificanceThe results presented here shed light on the activity of RNA polymerase II during chromatin condensation and decondensation. As such, they point to a new level of transcriptional regulation.

Czech name

—

Czech description

—

Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

—

OECD FORD branch

10600 - Biological sciences

Project

Result was created during the realization of more than one project. More information in the Projects tab.

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)

Publication year

2017

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Biology of the Cell

ISSN

0248-4900

e-ISSN

—

Volume of the periodical

109

Issue of the periodical within the volume

1

Country of publishing house

GB - UNITED KINGDOM

Number of pages

15

Pages from-to

65-79

UT code for WoS article

000392489900004

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-84995618190