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TFIIIC regulates SMC complex binding and 3D DNA contacts between tRNA genes
Daniel Obaji1, Jun Kim1, Yetunde Olagbegi1
1Department of Biology, Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|May 7, 2026
Summary
Transcription factor IIIC (TFIIIC) regulates genome 3D organization and SMC complex binding, independent of RNA polymerase III transcription. This study reveals TFIIIC
Area of Science:
- * Molecular Biology
- * Genomics
- * Chromosome Biology
Background:
- * Transcription factor IIIC (TFIIIC) is crucial for RNA polymerase III (Pol III) transcription.
- * TFIIIC binding sites overlap with Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes (SMC) complexes, suggesting a role in genome organization.
- * Previous evidence was correlational due to TFIIIC's essential role in transcription.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To directly investigate the function of TFIIIC in SMC complex regulation and 3D genome organization.
- * To determine if TFIIIC's role in genome organization is independent of its transcriptional function.
- * To elucidate TFIIIC's impact on cohesin and condensin localization and tRNA gene contacts.
Main Methods:
- * Utilized auxin-inducible depletion system in *C. elegans* to acutely deplete TFIIIC subunits.
- * Performed Hi-C and ChIP-seq analyses to assess genome-wide chromatin interactions and protein binding.
- * Analyzed the localization of SMC complexes (cohesin and condensin) and tRNA gene contacts.
Main Results:
- * TFIIIC regulates the localization of both cohesin and condensin.
- * TFIIIC is essential for increased 3D contacts between distant tRNA genes.
- * Depletion of SMC complexes alone did not significantly disrupt intrachromosomal tRNA gene contacts, indicating potential redundancy or alternative mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- * TFIIIC possesses an RNA Polymerase III-independent function in regulating SMC complex binding.
- * TFIIIC plays a significant role in the 3D organization of tRNA genes.
- * This study provides direct evidence for TFIIIC's involvement in chromatin architecture beyond its transcriptional role.
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