R-Loops Promote Antisense Transcription across the Mammalian Genome.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Tan-Wong SM
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6868509 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Similar Datasets
Project description:We report the correlation we found between R-loops and antisense trasncription initiation. Our in vitro data suggests that RNA pol II can initiate transcription off the displaced single stranded DNA from within the R-loop. Therefore we generated Chromatin associated RNA-seq with and without over-expressing RNaseH1 and RDIP-seq (the directional RNA-seq of the RNA moeity from within the S9.6 pull down R-loop) as well as RR-ChIP-seq (the directional RNA-seq of the RNA moeity from within the catalytically dead RNaseH1-GFP GFP pull down R-loop) and confirm the correlation in vivo. We also aligned our findings with ChrCAP-seq (which is is a library enriched for RNA polymerase II capped RNA using chromatin associated RNA as the initial source) and found that capped antisense RNA were sensitive to RNase H1 overexpression.
2019-10-22 | GSE87607 | GEO
Project description:The Hox clusters play a crucial role in body patterning during animal development. They encode both Hox transcription factor and micro-RNA genes that are activated in a precise temporal and spatial sequence that follows their chromosomal order. These remarkable collinear properties confer functional unit status for Hox clusters. We developed the TranscriptView platform to establish high resolution transcriptional profiling and report here that transcription in the Hox clusters is far more complex than previously described in both human and mouse. Unannotated transcripts can represent up to 60% of the total transcriptional output of a cluster. In particular, we identified 14 non-coding Transcriptional Units antisense to Hox genes, 10 of which (70%) have a detectable mouse homolog. Most of these Transcriptional Units in both human and mouse present conserved sizeable sequences (>40 bp) overlapping Hox transcripts, suggesting that these Hox antisense transcripts are functional. Hox clusters also display at least seven polycistronic clusters, i.e., different genes being co-transcribed on long isoforms (up to 30 kb). This work provides a reevaluated framework for understanding Hox gene function and dys-function. Such extensive transcriptions may provide a structural explanation for Hox clustering.
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Project description:RNA deep sequencing technologies are revealing unexpected levels of complexity in bacterial transcriptomes with the discovery of abundant noncoding RNAs, antisense RNAs, long 5' and 3' untranslated regions, and alternative operon structures. Here, by applying deep RNA sequencing to both the long and short RNA fractions (<50 nucleotides) obtained from the major human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, we have detected a collection of short RNAs that is generated genome-wide through the digestion of overlapping sense/antisense transcripts by RNase III endoribonuclease. At least 75% of sense RNAs from annotated genes are subject to this mechanism of antisense processing. Removal of RNase III activity reduces the amount of short RNAs and is accompanied by the accumulation of discrete antisense transcripts. These results suggest the production of pervasive but hidden antisense transcription used to process sense transcripts by means of creating double-stranded substrates. This process of RNase III-mediated digestion of overlapping transcripts can be observed in several evolutionarily diverse Gram-positive bacteria and is capable of providing a unique genome-wide posttranscriptional mechanism to adjust mRNA levels.
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Project description:BackgroundA large number of natural antisense transcripts have been identified in human and mouse genomes. Study of their potential functions clearly requires cost-efficient method for expression analysis.ResultsHere we show that Affymetrix Exon arrays, which were designed to detect conventional transcripts in the sense orientation, can be used to monitor antisense expression across all exonic loci in mammalian genomes. Through modification of the cDNA synthesis protocol, we labeled single-strand cDNA in the reverse orientation as in the standard protocol, thus enabling the detection of antisense transcripts using the same array. Applying this technique to human Jurkat cells, we identified antisense transcription at 2,088 exonic loci of 1,516 UniGene clusters. Many of these antisense transcripts were not observed previously and some were validated by orientation-specific RT-PCR.ConclusionOur results suggest that with a modified protocol Affymetrix human, mouse and rat Exon arrays can be used as a routine method for genome-wide analysis of antisense transcription in these genomes.
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Project description:R-loops are three-stranded nucleic acid structures found abundantly and yet often viewed as by-products of transcription. Studying cells from patients with a motor neuron disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 4 [ALS4]) caused by a mutation in senataxin, we uncovered how R-loops promote transcription. In ALS4 patients, the senataxin mutation depletes R-loops with a consequent effect on gene expression. With fewer R-loops in ALS4 cells, the expression of BAMBI, a negative regulator of transforming growth factor ? (TGF-?), is reduced; that then leads to the activation of the TGF-? pathway. We uncovered that genome-wide R-loops influence promoter methylation of over 1,200 human genes. DNA methyl-transferase 1 favors binding to double-stranded DNA over R-loops. Thus, in forming R-loops, nascent RNA blocks DNA methylation and promotes further transcription. Hence, our results show that nucleic acid structures, in addition to sequences, influence the binding and activity of regulatory proteins.
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Project description:Antisense transcription is a prevalent feature at mammalian promoters. Previous studies have primarily focused on antisense transcription initiating upstream of genes. Here, we characterize promoter-proximal antisense transcription downstream of gene transcription starts sites in human breast cancer cells, investigating the genomic context of downstream antisense transcription. We find extensive correlations between antisense transcription and features associated with the chromatin environment at gene promoters. Antisense transcription downstream of promoters is widespread, with antisense transcription initiation observed within 2 kb of 28% of gene transcription start sites. Antisense transcription initiates between nucleosomes regularly positioned downstream of these promoters. The nucleosomes between gene and downstream antisense transcription start sites carry histone modifications associated with active promoters, such as H3K4me3 and H3K27ac. This region is bound by chromatin remodeling and histone modifying complexes including SWI/SNF subunits and HDACs, suggesting that antisense transcription or resulting RNA transcripts contribute to the creation and maintenance of a promoter-associated chromatin environment. Downstream antisense transcription overlays additional regulatory features, such as transcription factor binding, DNA accessibility, and the downstream edge of promoter-associated CpG islands. These features suggest an important role for antisense transcription in the regulation of gene expression and the maintenance of a promoter-associated chromatin environment.
| S-EPMC4972320 | biostudies-literature
Project description:R-loops that accumulate at transcription sites pose a persistent threat to genome integrity. PSIP1 is a chromatin protein associated with transcriptional elongation complex, possesses histone chaperone activity, and is implicated in recruiting RNA processing and DNA repair factors to transcription sites. Here, we show that PSIP1 interacts with R-loops and other proteins involved in R-loop homeostasis, including PARP1. Genome-wide mapping of PSIP1, R-loops and γ-H2AX in PSIP1-depleted human and mouse cell lines revealed an accumulation of R-loops and DNA damage at gene promoters in the absence of PSIP1. R-loop accumulation causes local transcriptional arrest and transcription-replication conflict, leading to DNA damage. PSIP1 depletion increases 53BP1 foci and reduces RAD51 foci, suggesting altered DNA repair choice. Furthermore, PSIP1 depletion increases the sensitivity of cancer cells to PARP1 inhibitors and DNA-damaging agents that induce R-loop-induced DNA damage. These findings provide insights into the mechanism through which PSIP1 maintains genome integrity at the site of transcription.
| S-EPMC10774266 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Antisense transcription is common at mammalian promoters. Previous studies have largely focused on characterizing antisense transcription initiating upstream of gene transcription start sites. Here, we systematically characterize promoter-proximal antisense transcription downstream of gene transcription starts sites in human T-47D cells, investigating the genomic context of downstream antisense transcription. We find that downstream antisense transcription is widespread, with antisense transcription initiation observed within 2 kb of 28% of gene transcription start sites. Downstream antisense transcription is correlated with many regulatory features at gene promoters despite not being categorically associated with gene activation or repression. At the downstream antisense transcription start site, DNA is accessible, is enriched for protein-associated sequences motifs, and is bound by a variety of transcription factors. Downstream antisense transcription initiates between nucleosomes regularly positioned downstream of gene transcription start sites. Those nucleosomes between gene and downstream antisense transcription start sites carry histone modifications associated with active promoters, such as H3K4me3 and H3K27ac. Strikingly, this same region is bound by chromatin remodeling complexes such as HDAC and SWI/SNF. The coincidence of transcription initiation with nucleosomes displaying promoter-associated histone marks underlies an apparent connection between antisense transcription and the chromatin environment at gene promoters. The association of chromatin remodelers at sites of downstream antisense transcription initiation suggests that antisense transcription contributes to the deposition and maintenance of these chromatin features at gene promoters.
2017-02-11 | GSE74308 | GEO
Project description:To analyze the relationship between antisense transcription and alternative splicing, we developed a computational approach for the detection of antisense-correlated exon splicing events using Affymetrix exon array data. Our analysis of expression data from 176 lymphoblastoid cell lines revealed that the majority of expressed sense-antisense genes exhibited alternative splicing events that were correlated to the expression of the antisense gene. Most of these events occurred in areas of sense-antisense (SAS) gene overlap, which were significantly enriched in both exons and nucleosome occupancy levels relative to nonoverlapping regions of the same genes. Nucleosome occupancy was highly correlated with Pol II abundance across overlapping regions and with concomitant increases in local alternative exon usage. These results are consistent with an antisense transcription-mediated mechanism of splicing regulation in normal human cells. A comparison of the prevalence of antisense-correlated splicing events between individuals of Mormon versus African descent revealed population-specific events that may indicate the continued evolution of new SAS loci. Furthermore, the presence of antisense transcription was correlated to alternative splicing across multiple metazoan species, suggesting that it may be a conserved mechanism contributing to splicing regulation.
| S-EPMC3149488 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Many genomic loci contain transcription units on both strands, therefore two oppositely oriented transcripts can overlap. Often, one strand codes for a protein, whereas the transcript from the other strand is non-encoding. Such natural antisense transcripts (NATs) can negatively regulate the conjugated sense transcript. NATs are highly prevalent in a wide range of species--for example, around 15% of human protein-encoding genes have an associated NAT. The regulatory mechanisms by which NATs act are diverse, as are the means to control their expression. Here, we review the current understanding of NAT function and its mechanistic basis, which has been gathered from both individual gene cases and genome-wide studies. In parallel, we survey findings about the regulation of NAT transcription. Finally, we hypothesize that the regulation of antisense transcription might be tailored to its mode of action. According to this model, the observed relationship between the expression patterns of NATs and their targets might indicate the regulatory mechanism that is in action.
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