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RNA polymerase II associates with active genes during DNA replication
Tyler K Fenstermaker1, Svetlana Petruk1, Sina K Kovermann2
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Nature
|July 19, 2023
Summary
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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