scholarly journals In Exponentially Growing Saccharomyces cerevisiae Cells, rRNA Synthesis Is Determined by the Summed RNA Polymerase I Loading Rate Rather than by the Number of Active Genes

2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 1558-1568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah L. French ◽  
Yvonne N. Osheim ◽  
Francesco Cioci ◽  
Masayasu Nomura ◽  
Ann L. Beyer
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Exponential Growth ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Synthesis ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Transcription Rate ◽  
Initiation Rate ◽  
Pol I ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Active Genes

ABSTRACT Genes encoding rRNA are multicopy and thus could be regulated by changing the number of active genes or by changing the transcription rate per gene. We tested the hypothesis that the number of open genes is limiting rRNA synthesis by using an electron microscopy method that allows direct counting of the number of active genes per nucleolus and the number of polymerases per active gene. Two strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were analyzed during exponential growth: a control strain with a typical number of rRNA genes (∼143 in this case) and a strain in which the rRNA gene number was reduced to ∼42 but which grows as well as controls. In control strains, somewhat more than half of the genes were active and the mean number of polymerases/gene was ∼50 ± 20. In the 42-copy strain, all rRNA genes were active with a mean number of 100 ± 29 polymerases/gene. Thus, an equivalent number of polymerases was active per nucleolus in the two strains, though the number of active genes varied by twofold, showing that overall initiation rate, and not the number of active genes, determines rRNA transcription rate during exponential growth in yeast. Results also allow an estimate of elongation rate of ∼60 nucleotides/s for yeast Pol I and a reinitiation rate of less than 1 s on the most heavily transcribed genes.

scholarly journals In vivo regulation of rRNA transcription occurs rapidly in nondividing and dividing Drosophila cells in response to a phorbol ester and serum.

1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 928-933 ◽  
Author(s):  
S M Vallett ◽  
M Brudnak ◽  
M Pellegrini ◽  
H W Weber
Keyword(s):  
Phorbol Ester ◽  
Growth Regulation ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Synthesis ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Rdna Transcription ◽  
Transcription System ◽  
Pol I ◽  
Drosophila Cells

The synthesis of ribosomes is an essential cellular process which requires the transcription of the rRNA genes by RNA polymerase I (Pol I). The regulation of rRNA synthesis is known to be coupled to growth regulation. In nongrowing, slowly growing, and rapidly growing Drosophila cells, exposure to the tumor-promoting phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) increases the synthesis of precursor and mature rRNAs. Using nuclear run-on assays, we show that TPA enhances transcription of the rRNA genes. These results suggest that TPA regulates expression of RNA genes transcribed by Pol I, irrespective of the growth state of the cells. In slowly dividing Drosophila cells, increasing the serum concentration rapidly alters the accumulation of rRNA by enhancing rDNA transcription within 1 h. Thus, TPA and serum are each able to rapidly regulate rRNA gene expression in Drosophila cells. These results indicate that the RNA Pol I transcription system can be regulated by agents which have previously been shown to effect specific genes transcribed by the RNA Pol II system.

In vivo regulation of rRNA transcription occurs rapidly in nondividing and dividing Drosophila cells in response to a phorbol ester and serum

1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 928-933
Author(s):  
S M Vallett ◽  
M Brudnak ◽  
M Pellegrini ◽  
H W Weber
Keyword(s):  
Phorbol Ester ◽  
Growth Regulation ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Synthesis ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Rdna Transcription ◽  
Transcription System ◽  
Pol I ◽  
Drosophila Cells

The synthesis of ribosomes is an essential cellular process which requires the transcription of the rRNA genes by RNA polymerase I (Pol I). The regulation of rRNA synthesis is known to be coupled to growth regulation. In nongrowing, slowly growing, and rapidly growing Drosophila cells, exposure to the tumor-promoting phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) increases the synthesis of precursor and mature rRNAs. Using nuclear run-on assays, we show that TPA enhances transcription of the rRNA genes. These results suggest that TPA regulates expression of RNA genes transcribed by Pol I, irrespective of the growth state of the cells. In slowly dividing Drosophila cells, increasing the serum concentration rapidly alters the accumulation of rRNA by enhancing rDNA transcription within 1 h. Thus, TPA and serum are each able to rapidly regulate rRNA gene expression in Drosophila cells. These results indicate that the RNA Pol I transcription system can be regulated by agents which have previously been shown to effect specific genes transcribed by the RNA Pol II system.

scholarly journals Alternative Chromatin Structures of the 35S rRNA Genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Provide a Molecular Basis for the Selective Recruitment of RNA Polymerases I and II

2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 2028-2045 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Goetze ◽  
Manuel Wittner ◽  
Stephan Hamperl ◽  
Maria Hondele ◽  
Katharina Merz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Rna Polymerases ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
Pol I ◽  
Depth Analysis

ABSTRACT In all eukaryotes, a specialized enzyme, RNA polymerase I (Pol I), is dedicated to transcribe the 35S rRNA gene from a multicopy gene cluster, the ribosomal DNA (rDNA). In certain Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants, 35S rRNA genes can be transcribed by RNA polymerase II (Pol II). In these mutants, rDNA silencing of Pol II transcription is impaired. It has been speculated that upstream activating factor (UAF), which binds to a specific DNA element within the Pol I promoter, plays a crucial role in forming chromatin structures responsible for polymerase specificity and silencing at the rDNA locus. We therefore performed an in-depth analysis of chromatin structure and composition in different mutant backgrounds. We demonstrate that chromatin architecture of the entire Pol I-transcribed region is substantially altered in the absence of UAF, allowing RNA polymerases II and III to access DNA elements flanking a Pol promoter-proximal Reb1 binding site. Furthermore, lack of UAF leads to the loss of Sir2 from rDNA, correlating with impaired Pol II silencing. This analysis of rDNA chromatin provides a molecular basis, explaining many phenotypes observed in previous genetic analyses.

scholarly journals Harnessing the Nucleolar DNA Damage Response in Cancer Therapy

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1156
Author(s):  
Jiachen Xuan ◽  
Kezia Gitareja ◽  
Natalie Brajanovski ◽  
Elaine Sanij
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Dna Repair ◽  
Cancer Therapy ◽  
Dna Damage Response ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Synthesis ◽  
Pol I ◽  
Clinical Investigations ◽  
Damage Response ◽  
Synthesis And Processing

The nucleoli are subdomains of the nucleus that form around actively transcribed ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. They serve as the site of rRNA synthesis and processing, and ribosome assembly. There are 400–600 copies of rRNA genes (rDNA) in human cells and their highly repetitive and transcribed nature poses a challenge for DNA repair and replication machineries. It is only in the last 7 years that the DNA damage response and processes of DNA repair at the rDNA repeats have been recognized to be unique and distinct from the classic response to DNA damage in the nucleoplasm. In the last decade, the nucleolus has also emerged as a central hub for coordinating responses to stress via sequestering tumor suppressors, DNA repair and cell cycle factors until they are required for their functional role in the nucleoplasm. In this review, we focus on features of the rDNA repeats that make them highly vulnerable to DNA damage and the mechanisms by which rDNA damage is repaired. We highlight the molecular consequences of rDNA damage including activation of the nucleolar DNA damage response, which is emerging as a unique response that can be exploited in anti-cancer therapy. In this review, we focus on CX-5461, a novel inhibitor of Pol I transcription that induces the nucleolar DNA damage response and is showing increasing promise in clinical investigations.

Distinguishing the sites of pre-rRNA synthesis and accumulation in Ehrlich tumor cell nucleoli

1991 ◽  
Vol 99 (4) ◽  
pp. 759-767
Author(s):  
M. Thiry ◽  
G. Goessens
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Cell ◽  
Condensed Chromatin ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Synthesis ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Dense Fibrillar Component ◽  
Ehrlich Tumor ◽  
Granular Component ◽  
Fibrillar Component

The precise location of transcribing rRNA genes within Ehrlich tumor cell nucleoli has been investigated using two approaches: high-resolution autoradiography of cells pulse-labelled with tritiated uridine, varying the exposure time, and in situ-in vitro transcription coupled with an immunogold labelling procedure. When autoradiographic preparations are exposed for a short time, silver grains are found associated almost exclusively with interphasic cell nucleoli. Labelling of extranucleolar areas requires longer exposure. Within the nucleolus, the first sites to be revealed are in the dense fibrillar component. Prolonging exposure increases labelling over the dense fibrillar component, with label becoming more and more apparent over the fibrillar centers. Under these conditions, however, labelling does not extend into the granular component, and no background is observed. Initiation of transcription on ultrathin cell sections occurs preferentially at the borders of condensed chromatin blocks and in their close vicinity. The condensed chromatin areas themselves remain unlabelled. Inside most nucleoli, gold-particle clusters are mainly detected in the fibrillar centers, especially at their periphery, whereas the dense fibrillar component and the granular component remain devoid of label. These results, together with previous observations made on the same cell type, clearly indicate that the fibrillar centers are the sites of rRNA gene transcription in Ehrlich tumor cell nucleoli, while the dense fibrillar component is the site of pre-rRNA accumulation.

scholarly journals Dichotomous Impact of Myc on rRNA Gene Activation and Silencing in B Cell Lymphomagenesis

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 3009
Author(s):  
Gaurav Joshi ◽  
Alexander Otto Eberhardt ◽  
Lisa Lange ◽  
René Winkler ◽  
Steve Hoffmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cell ◽  
Gene Activation ◽  
Cpg Methylation ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Rdna Transcription ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Pol I ◽  
Polymerase I ◽  
Transcriptional Output

A major transcriptional output of cells is ribosomal RNA (rRNA), synthesized by RNA polymerase I (Pol I) from multicopy rRNA genes (rDNA). Constitutive silencing of an rDNA fraction by promoter CpG methylation contributes to the stabilization of these otherwise highly active loci. In cancers driven by the oncoprotein Myc, excessive Myc directly stimulates rDNA transcription. However, it is not clear when during carcinogenesis this mechanism emerges, and how Myc-driven rDNA activation affects epigenetic silencing. Here, we have used the Eµ-Myc mouse model to investigate rDNA transcription and epigenetic regulation in Myc-driven B cell lymphomagenesis. We have developed a refined cytometric strategy to isolate B cells from the tumor initiation, promotion, and progression phases, and found a substantial increase of both Myc and rRNA gene expression only in established lymphoma. Surprisingly, promoter CpG methylation and the machinery for rDNA silencing were also strongly up-regulated in the tumor progression state. The data indicate a dichotomous role of oncogenic Myc in rDNA regulation, boosting transcription as well as reinforcing repression of silent repeats, which may provide a novel angle on perturbing Myc function in cancer cells.

scholarly journals Widespread Use of TATA Elements in the Core Promoters for RNA Polymerases III, II, and I in Fission Yeast

2001 ◽  
Vol 21 (20) ◽  
pp. 6870-6881 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitsuhiro Hamada ◽  
Ying Huang ◽  
Todd M. Lowe ◽  
Richard J. Maraia
Keyword(s):  
Fission Yeast ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
5S Rrna ◽  
Initiation Factor ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Synthesis ◽  
Core Promoters ◽  
The Core ◽  
Pol I ◽  
Pol Iii

ABSTRACT In addition to directing transcription initiation, core promoters integrate input from distal regulatory elements. Except for rare exceptions, it has been generally found that eukaryotic tRNA and rRNA genes do not contain TATA promoter elements and instead use protein-protein interactions to bring the TATA-binding protein (TBP), to the core promoter. Genomewide analysis revealed TATA elements in the core promoters of tRNA and 5S rRNA (Pol III), U1 to U5 snRNA (Pol II), and 37S rRNA (Pol I) genes in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Using tRNA-dependent suppression and other in vivo assays, as well as in vitro transcription, we demonstrated an obligatory requirement for upstream TATA elements for tRNA and 5S rRNA expression in S. pombe. The Pol III initiation factor Brf is found in complexes with TFIIIC and Pol III in S. pombe, while TBP is not, consistent with independent recruitment of TBP by TATA. Template commitment assays are consistent with this and confirm that the mechanisms of transcription complex assembly and initiation by Pol III in S. pombe differ substantially from those in other model organisms. The results were extended to large-rRNA synthesis, as mutation of the TATA element in the Pol I promoter also abolishes rRNA expression in fission yeast. A survey of other organisms' genomes reveals that a substantial number of eukaryotes may use widespread TATAs for transcription. These results indicate the presence of TATA-unified transcription systems in contemporary eukaryotes and provide insight into the residual need for TBP by all three Pols in other eukaryotes despite a lack of TATA elements in their promoters.

scholarly journals Structure and function of ribosomal RNA gene chromatin

2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 619-624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna L. Birch ◽  
Joost C.B.M. Zomerdijk
Keyword(s):  
Ribosomal Rna ◽  
Ribosome Biogenesis ◽  
Rna Polymerase I ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Pol I ◽  
And Function ◽  
Polymerase I ◽  
Cell Growth And Proliferation ◽  
Cellular Control

Transcription of the major ribosomal RNAs by Pol I (RNA polymerase I) is a key determinant of ribosome biogenesis, driving cell growth and proliferation in eukaryotes. Hundreds of copies of rRNA genes are present in each cell, and there is evidence that the cellular control of Pol I transcription involves adjustments to the number of rRNA genes actively engaged in transcription, as well as to the rate of transcription from each active gene. Chromatin structure is inextricably linked to rRNA gene activity, and the present review highlights recent advances in this area.

scholarly journals Tor Pathway Regulates Rrn3p-dependent Recruitment of Yeast RNA Polymerase I to the Promoter but Does Not Participate in Alteration of the Number of Active Genes

2004 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 946-956 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan A. Claypool ◽  
Sarah L. French ◽  
Katsuki Johzuka ◽  
Kristilyn Eliason ◽  
Loan Vu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Stationary Phase ◽  
Rna Polymerase I ◽  
Rrna Synthesis ◽  
Synthesis Rate ◽  
Transcription Rate ◽  
Signaling System ◽  
Tor Signaling ◽  
Polymerase I ◽  
Active Genes

Yeast cells entering into stationary phase decrease rRNA synthesis rate by decreasing both the number of active genes and the transcription rate of individual active genes. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we found that the association of RNA polymerase I with the promoter and the coding region of rDNA is decreased in stationary phase, but association of transcription factor UAF with the promoter is unchanged. Similar changes were also observed when growing cells were treated with rapamycin, which is known to inhibit the Tor signaling system. Rapamycin treatment also caused a decrease in the amount of Rrn3p-polymerase I complex, similar to stationary phase. Because recruitment of Pol I to the rDNA promoter is Rrn3p-dependent as shown in this work, these data suggest that the decrease in the transcription rate of individual active genes in stationary phase is achieved by the Tor signaling system acting at the Rrn3p-dependent polymerase recruitment step. Miller chromatin spreads of cells treated with rapamycin and cells in post-log phase confirm this conclusion and demonstrate that the Tor system does not participate in alteration of the number of active genes observed for cells entering into stationary phase.

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