Work

Dissecting the Roles of Divergent and Convergent Transcription in Chromosome Instability

Year: 2016

Type: article

Abstract: The interplay of transcription, topological tension, and chromosome breakage is a subject of intense interest, but, with so many facets to the problem, it is difficult to test. Here, we vary the orientation of promoters relative to one another in a yeast system that permits sensitive detection of chromosome breaks. Interestingly, convergent transcription that would direct RNA polymerases into one another does not increase chromosome breakage. In contrast, divergent transcription that would create underwound and potentially single-stranded DNA does cause a marked increase in chromosome breakage. Furthermore, we examine the role that topoisomerases are playing in preventing genome instability at these promoters and find that Top2 is required to prevent instability at converging promoters.

Source: Cell Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2015.12.098

Authors: Nicholas R. Pannunzio, Michael R. Lieber

Institutions: University of Southern California, USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center

Language: English

Topic: Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $5,620

Funders: National Cancer Institute, National Institute of General Medical Sciences