Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2025
08:53
Strand-Specific Analysis of Proteins at Replicating DNA Strands by Enrichment and Sequencing of Protein-Associated Nascent DNA Method
Published on: May 2, 2025
363
A quick restart: RNA polymerase jumping onto post-replicative chromatin.
Marcel Werner1, Stephan Hamperl1
1Institute of Epigenetics and Stem Cells, Helmholtz Munich, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 21, 81377 München, Germany.
Molecular Cell
|January 19, 2024
Summary
Evicted RNA polymerases quickly reattach to DNA after replication, entering a unique transcription cycle. This bypasses normal gene regulation, creating a brief period of altered gene expression.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Gene regulation
- Chromatin dynamics
Background:
- Transcription is a fundamental biological process.
- RNA polymerases are key enzymes in transcription.
- Gene expression is tightly regulated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the behavior of RNA polymerases after replication.
- To understand the regulation of transcription in post-replicative chromatin.
- To identify mechanisms for altered gene expression.
Main Methods:
- Observational studies utilizing advanced microscopy techniques.
- Analysis of chromatin structure and RNA polymerase activity.
- Genetic manipulation to study regulatory bypass.
Main Results:
- Evicted RNA polymerases rapidly reassociate with post-replicative chromatin.
- A unique transcription cycle is initiated, bypassing standard regulatory controls.
- A temporary window for altered gene expression is created.
Conclusions:
- Rapid reassociation of RNA polymerases facilitates a novel transcription pathway.
- The bypass of regular controls offers insights into dynamic gene regulation.
- This mechanism may play a role in cellular responses to replication stress.
Related Concept Videos
03:01The Replisome
33.5K
DNA replication is carried out by a large complex of proteins that act in a coordinated matter to achieve high-fidelity DNA replication. Together this complex is known as the DNA replication machinery or the replisome.
The synthesis of the leading and lagging strands is a highly coordinated process. To explain this, the “Trombone model” was proposed by Bruce Alberts in 1980. The DNA loop formation starts when a primer is synthesized on the parent lagging strand. The loop grows with...
The synthesis of the leading and lagging strands is a highly coordinated process. To explain this, the “Trombone model” was proposed by Bruce Alberts in 1980. The DNA loop formation starts when a primer is synthesized on the parent lagging strand. The loop grows with...
33.5K
02:31Homologous Recombination
50.6K
The basic reaction of homologous recombination (HR) involves two chromatids that contain DNA sequences sharing a significant stretch of identity. One of these sequences uses a strand from another as a template to synthesize DNA in an enzyme-catalyzed reaction. The final product is a novel amalgamation of the two substrates. To ensure an accurate recombination of sequences, HR is restricted to the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle. At these stages, the DNA has been replicated already and the...
50.6K
01:29Replication in Eukaryotes
13.8K
In eukaryotic cells, DNA replication is highly conserved and tightly regulated. Multiple linear chromosomes must be duplicated with high fidelity before cell division, so there are many proteins that fulfill specialized roles in the replication process. Replication occurs in three phases: initiation, elongation, and termination, and ends with two complete sets of chromosomes in the nucleus.
Many Proteins Orchestrate Replication at the Origin
Eukaryotic replication follows many of the same...
Many Proteins Orchestrate Replication at the Origin
Eukaryotic replication follows many of the same...
13.8K
02:37Restarting Stalled Replication Forks
5.8K
DNA replication is initiated at sites containing predefined DNA sequences known as origins of replication. DNA is unwound at these sites by the minichromosome maintenance (MCM) helicase and other factors such as Cdc45 and the associated GINS complex.The unwound single strands are protected by replication protein A (RPA) until DNA polymerase starts synthesizing DNA at the 5’ end of the strand in the same direction as the replication fork. To prevent the replication fork from falling apart,...
5.8K
02:05Duplication of Chromatin Structure
5.5K
The process of chromosome duplication during cell division requires genome-wide disruption and re-assembly of chromatin. The chromatin structure must be accurately inherited, reassembled, and maintained in the daughter cells to ensure lineage propagation.
The basic unit of the chromatin is the nucleosome, consisting of DNA wrapped around octameric histone proteins and short stretches of linker DNA separating individual nucleosomes. The histone proteins within the nucleosome have their...
The basic unit of the chromatin is the nucleosome, consisting of DNA wrapped around octameric histone proteins and short stretches of linker DNA separating individual nucleosomes. The histone proteins within the nucleosome have their...
5.5K
02:31Chromosome Replication
8.7K
Before a cell can divide, it must accurately replicate all of its chromosomes, including the DNA and its associated histone and non-histone proteins. This process begins at numerous origins of replication during the S phase of the cell cycle in each of a cell’s chromosomes simultaneously. Certain nucleotides can act as origins of replication, but these sequences are not well defined - especially in complex, multi-cellular, eukaryotic species. The length of DNA that spans an origin...
8.7K