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Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Studying Cell Cycle-regulated Gene Expression by Two Complementary Cell Synchronization Protocols
Published on: June 6, 2017
Induced G1 cell-cycle arrest controls replication-dependent histone mRNA 3' end processing through p21, NPAT and CDK9
1Department of Molecular Oncology, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
p53-induced cell cycle arrest reduces histone gene transcription by decreasing Nuclear Protein, Ataxia-Telangiectasia Locus (NPAT) levels. This alters mRNA processing, switching to polyadenylation and impacting DNA packaging during cell division.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Gene Regulation
Background:
- Replication-dependent histone expression is crucial for DNA packaging during cell replication.
- Cyclin-dependent kinase-9 (CDK9) regulates histone H2B monoubiquitination (H2Bub1), influencing mRNA 3' end processing of histone genes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of p53 in regulating histone gene expression and mRNA processing.
- To elucidate the mechanism by which p53 affects the Nuclear Protein, Ataxia-Telangiectasia Locus (NPAT) gene and its downstream effects.
Main Methods:
- p53 activation and small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown experiments.
- Analysis of E2F-dependent transcription and NPAT gene expression.
- Assessment of CDK9 recruitment, histone gene transcription, and mRNA polyadenylation.
Main Results:
- p53 induces G1 cell-cycle arrest, decreasing NPAT expression by inhibiting E2F-dependent transcription.
- NPAT is essential for histone mRNA 3' end processing and recruits CDK9 to histone genes.
- Reduced NPAT diminishes CDK9 recruitment and histone gene transcription, while increasing histone mRNA polyadenylation.
Conclusions:
- p53-mediated G1 arrest alters histone mRNA 3' end processing, switching from canonical processing to polyadenylation.
- This study reveals a novel mechanism for regulated pre-mRNA 3' end processing during normal cellular processes.
- The findings suggest potential alterations in this mechanism during tumorigenesis.
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