Work

Scripts and codes for G-quadruplexes are promoter elements controlling nucleosome exclusion and RNA polymerase II pausing

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Despite their central role in transcription, it has been difficult to define universal sequences associated to eukaryotic promoters. Within chromatin context, recruitment of the transcriptional machinery requires opening of the promoter but how DNA elements could contribute to this process has remained elusive. Here, we show that G-quadruplex (G4) secondary structures are highly enriched mammalian core promoter elements. G4s are located at the deepest point of nucleosome exclusion at promoters and correlate with maximum promoter activity. We found that experimental G4s exclude nucleosomes both in vivo and in vitro and display a strong positioning potential. At model promoters, impairing G4s affected both transcriptional activity and chromatin opening. G4 destabilization also resulted in an inactive promoter state and affected transition to effective RNA production in live imaging experiments. Finally, G4 stabilization resulted in global reduction of proximal promoter pausing. Altogether, our data introduce G4s as bona fide promoter elements allowing nucleosome exclusion and facilitating pause release by the RNA Polymerase II.

Source: Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.15124923

Authors: esnault, cyril, andrau, jean-christophe

Institution: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

Language: English

Topic: Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: Agence Nationale de la Recherche, Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National Du Cancer

Award: G2378051798