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RNA polymerase II dynamics and mRNA stability feedback scale mRNA amounts with cell size
Matthew P Swaffer1, Georgi K Marinov2, Huan Zheng3
1Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
Cell
|November 9, 2023
Summary
Cell size impacts global transcription rates. Researchers found that RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) dosage limits mRNA transcription scaling with cell size in yeast, with mRNA decay also playing a role.
Area of Science:
- Cellular biology
- Molecular biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Cellular growth requires proportional increases in protein and RNA to maintain constant concentrations.
- Global transcription rates must increase in larger cells to accommodate this growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the limiting factor that scales mRNA transcription with cell size in budding yeast.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which mRNA levels are maintained during cellular growth.
Main Methods:
- Experimental manipulation of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) dosage in budding yeast.
- Analysis of transcription rates and mRNA decay rates in cells of varying sizes.
- Modeling of RNAPII recruitment kinetics and its impact on transcription.
Main Results:
- RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) dosage was identified as the key limiting factor for mRNA transcription scaling with cell size.
- Transcription rates showed a sub-linear increase with cell size, primarily driven by RNAPII recruitment dynamics.
- Decreased mRNA decay rates in larger cells partially compensated for the sub-linear transcription increase.
Conclusions:
- RNAPII availability is critical for scaling mRNA transcription with cell size in budding yeast.
- A combination of limiting RNAPII and regulated mRNA stability ensures appropriate mRNA amounts during cell growth.
Keywords:
RNARNA biologyRNA polymerase IIcell biologycell sizesize scalingsystems biologytranscriptionMore Related Videos
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