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RNA polymerase II associates with active genes during DNA replication

  • 0Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Nature +

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July 19, 2023

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July 19, 2023

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

RNA polymerase II (Pol II) rapidly re-associates with active genes immediately after DNA replication, resuming transcription without needing epigenetic marks. This suggests Pol II remains near DNA during replication.

Area Of Science

  • Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics
  • Gene Regulation

Background

  • Transcriptional machinery is thought to detach during DNA replication.
  • Epigenetic marks are believed to maintain transcriptional memory and rebuild chromatin.
  • RNA polymerase II (Pol II) is thought to be recruited after chromatin rebuilding.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To investigate when and how Pol II is recruited back to daughter DNA strands.
  • To understand the transition from DNA replication to transcription resumption.

Main Methods

  • Experimental investigation of Pol II behavior post-replication fork passage.
  • Analysis of Pol II complex association with nascent DNA strands.

Main Results

  • Pol II, with transcription proteins and immature RNA, re-associates with active genes on both leading and lagging strands immediately after replication.
  • Transcription rapidly resumes on nascent DNA.
  • A Pol II-PCNA interaction may retain the transcription complex near DNA.

Conclusions

  • The transcriptionally active Pol II complex may remain in close proximity to DNA during replication.
  • Epigenetic marks might not be essential for recruiting Pol II to newly synthesized DNA.
  • Findings challenge the established model of transcription-replication coupling.

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