Project description:The ability to record transient cellular events in the DNA or RNA of cells would enable precise, large-scale analysis, selection, and reprogramming of heterogeneous cell populations. Here we report a molecular technology for stable genetic tagging of cells that exhibit activity-related increases in intracellular calcium concentration (FLiCRE). We used FLiCRE to transcriptionally label activated neural ensembles in the nucleus accumbens of the mouse brain during brief stimulation of aversive inputs. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we detected FLiCRE transcripts among the endogenous transcriptome, providing simultaneous readout of both cell-type and calcium activation history. We identified a cell-type in the nucleus accumbens activated downstream of long-range excitatory projections. Taking advantage of FLiCRE’s modular design, we expressed an optogenetic channel selectively in this cell-type, and showed that direct recruitment of this otherwise genetically-inaccessible population elicits behavioral aversion. The specificity and minute-resolution of FLiCRE enables molecularly-informed characterization, manipulation, and reprogramming of activated cellular ensembles.
Project description:Pausing of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) in early elongation is critical for gene regulation. Paused RNAPII can be released into productive elongation by the kinase P-TEFb or targeted for premature termination by the Integrator complex. Integrator comprises endonuclease and phosphatase activities, driving termination through cleavage of nascent RNA and removal of stimulatory phosphorylation. To probe the direct consequences of Integrator activity, we generated a degron system to rapidly deplete the Integrator endonuclease INTS11. Degradation of INTS11 elicits a nearly universal increase in RNAPII escape from promoter regions. However, these RNAPII complexes fail to achieve optimal elongation rates and reveal continued Integrator phosphatase activity. Short transcripts are thus selectively upregulated by INTS11 loss, including many non-coding RNAs, transcription factors and signaling regulators. Together, our data indicate a common function for INTS11 at all RNAPII loci, with differential effects on particular genes, pathways or RNA biotypes reflecting transcript lengths rather than Integrator specificity.
Project description:Pausing of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) in early elongation is critical for gene regulation. Paused RNAPII can be released into productive elongation by the kinase P-TEFb or targeted for premature termination by the Integrator complex. Integrator comprises endonuclease and phosphatase activities, driving termination through cleavage of nascent RNA and removal of stimulatory phosphorylation. To probe the direct consequences of Integrator activity, we generated a degron system to rapidly deplete the Integrator endonuclease INTS11. Degradation of INTS11 elicits a nearly universal increase in RNAPII escape from promoter regions. However, these RNAPII complexes fail to achieve optimal elongation rates and reveal continued Integrator phosphatase activity. Short transcripts are thus selectively upregulated by INTS11 loss, including many non-coding RNAs, transcription factors and signaling regulators. Together, our data indicate a common function for INTS11 at all RNAPII loci, with differential effects on particular genes, pathways or RNA biotypes reflecting transcript lengths rather than Integrator specificity.
Project description:Pausing of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) in early elongation is critical for gene regulation. Paused RNAPII can be released into productive elongation by the kinase P-TEFb or targeted for premature termination by the Integrator complex. Integrator comprises endonuclease and phosphatase activities, driving termination through cleavage of nascent RNA and removal of stimulatory phosphorylation. To probe the direct consequences of Integrator activity, we generated a degron system to rapidly deplete the Integrator endonuclease INTS11. Degradation of INTS11 elicits a nearly universal increase in RNAPII escape from promoter regions. However, these RNAPII complexes fail to achieve optimal elongation rates and reveal continued Integrator phosphatase activity. Short transcripts are thus selectively upregulated by INTS11 loss, including many non-coding RNAs, transcription factors and signaling regulators. Together, our data indicate a common function for INTS11 at all RNAPII loci, with differential effects on particular genes, pathways or RNA biotypes reflecting transcript lengths rather than Integrator specificity.
Project description:Pausing of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) in early elongation is critical for gene regulation. Paused RNAPII can be released into productive elongation by the kinase P-TEFb or targeted for premature termination by the Integrator complex. Integrator comprises endonuclease and phosphatase activities, driving termination through cleavage of nascent RNA and removal of stimulatory phosphorylation. To probe the direct consequences of Integrator activity, we generated a degron system to rapidly deplete the Integrator endonuclease INTS11. Degradation of INTS11 elicits a nearly universal increase in RNAPII escape from promoter regions. However, these RNAPII complexes fail to achieve optimal elongation rates and reveal continued Integrator phosphatase activity. Short transcripts are thus selectively upregulated by INTS11 loss, including many non-coding RNAs, transcription factors and signaling regulators. Together, our data indicate a common function for INTS11 at all RNAPII loci, with differential effects on particular genes, pathways or RNA biotypes reflecting transcript lengths rather than Integrator specificity.
Project description:Pausing of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) in early elongation is critical for gene regulation. Paused RNAPII can be released into productive elongation by the kinase P-TEFb or targeted for premature termination by the Integrator complex. Integrator comprises endonuclease and phosphatase activities, driving termination through cleavage of nascent RNA and removal of stimulatory phosphorylation. To probe the direct consequences of Integrator activity, we generated a degron system to rapidly deplete the Integrator endonuclease INTS11. Degradation of INTS11 elicits a nearly universal increase in RNAPII escape from promoter regions. However, these RNAPII complexes fail to achieve optimal elongation rates and reveal continued Integrator phosphatase activity. Short transcripts are thus selectively upregulated by INTS11 loss, including many non-coding RNAs, transcription factors and signaling regulators. Together, our data indicate a common function for INTS11 at all RNAPII loci, with differential effects on particular genes, pathways or RNA biotypes reflecting transcript lengths rather than Integrator specificity.
Project description:Pausing of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) in early elongation is critical for gene regulation. Paused RNAPII can be released into productive elongation by the kinase P-TEFb or targeted for premature termination by the Integrator complex. Integrator comprises endonuclease and phosphatase activities, driving termination through cleavage of nascent RNA and removal of stimulatory phosphorylation. To probe the direct consequences of Integrator activity, we generated a degron system to rapidly deplete the Integrator endonuclease INTS11. Degradation of INTS11 elicits a nearly universal increase in RNAPII escape from promoter regions. However, these RNAPII complexes fail to achieve optimal elongation rates and reveal continued Integrator phosphatase activity. Short transcripts are thus selectively upregulated by INTS11 loss, including many non-coding RNAs, transcription factors and signaling regulators. Together, our data indicate a common function for INTS11 at all RNAPII loci, with differential effects on particular genes, pathways or RNA biotypes reflecting transcript lengths rather than Integrator specificity.