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Updated: Aug 15, 2026

RNA-Associated Chromatin DNA-DNA Interaction Method
Published on: April 30, 2026
RNA Pol II subunit Rpb7 promotes centromeric transcription and RNAi-directed chromatin silencing
Ingela Djupedal1, Manuela Portoso, Henrik Spåhr
1Karolinska Institutet, Department of Biosciences, School of Life Sciences, University College Sodertorn, S-141 89 Huddinge, Sweden.
Abstract:
Fission yeast centromeric repeats are transcribed into small interfering RNA (siRNA) precursors (pre-siRNAs), which are processed by Dicer to direct heterochromatin formation. Recently, Rpb1 and Rpb2 subunits of RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II) were shown to mediate RNA interference (RNAi)-directed chromatin modification but did not affect pre-siRNA levels. Here we show that another Pol II subunit, Rpb7 has a specific role in pre-siRNA transcription. We define a centromeric pre-siRNA promoter from which initiation is exquisitely sensitive to the rpb7-G150D mutation. In contrast to other Pol II subunits, Rpb7 promotes pre-siRNA transcription required for RNAi-directed chromatin silencing.
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