Gene-specific transcript buffering revealed by perturbation of coactivator complexes
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Transcript buffering entails the reciprocal modulation of mRNA synthesis and degradation rates to maintain stable RNA levels under varying cellular conditions. Current research supports a global, non-sequence-specific connection between mRNA synthesis and degradation, but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, we investigated changes in RNA metabolism following acute depletion of TIP60/KAT5, the acetyltransferase subunit of the NuA4 transcriptional coactivator complex, in mouse embryonic stem cells. By combining RNA sequencing of nuclear, cytoplasmic, and newly synthesised transcript fractions with biophysical modelling, we demonstrate that TIP60 predominantly enhances transcription of numerous genes, while a smaller set of genes undergoes TIP60-dependent transcriptional repression. Surprisingly, transcription changes caused by TIP60 depletion were offset by corresponding changes in RNA nuclear export and cytoplasmic stability, indicating gene-specific buffering mechanisms. Similarly, disruption of the unrelated ATAC coactivator complex also resulted in gene-specific transcript buffering. These findings reveal that transcript buffering functions at a gene-specific level and suggest that cells dynamically adjust RNA splicing, export, and degradation in response to individual RNA synthesis alterations, thereby sustaining cellular homeostasis.
Source: Science Advances
Language: English
Topic: RNA Research and Splicing
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
Awards: Structural and functional study of the human ATAC co-activator complex, G1190173965, Determinants of transcription regulation by co-activator complexes, Par-delà les frontières, l'Université de Strasbourg, G2255650664, Organisation et montée en puissance d'une Infrastructure Nationale de Génomique, G2659019386, G2694206344, Regulation of RNA fluxes by the NuA4 acetyl-transferase complex, Façonner les talents en formation et en recherche à l'Université de Strasbourg, G2980570810, G3357951378, G3444564074, G3730343, G381665449, G399734812, Integrative Molecular and Cellular Biology, G471331628, G4779185514, G5501925015, G6136357505, G6405104111, G6803667113, G7240651115, G8144793849, Développment d'une infrastructure française distribuée coordonnée, Mechanisms of chromatin regulation of transcription
OpenAlex ID: W4408647752