Search

The eleventh international conference on transcription by RNA polymerases I, III, IV and V (the OddPols) was held from June 26th to June 29th 2018 at the Museum of Natural History of Toulouse, France and organized by Anthony Henras and Olivier Gadal. The scientific committee was composed of David Engelke, Joachim Griesenbeck, Ross Hannan, Deborah Johnson, Richard Maraia, Christoph Muller, Craig Pikaard, David Schneider and Ian Willis. The organizers are grateful to the “Centre de Biologie Integrative de Toulouse”, for support in the organization of the event. Participants from 13 different countries presented their newest exciting results during the scientific sessions and during extended conversation hours in the cosy atmosphere of the botanic garden of the Museum. Here we present the highlights of all oral presentations.

The RNA exosome is a multisubunit protein complex involved in RNA surveillance of all classes of RNA, and is essential for pre-rRNA processing. The exosome is conserved throughout evolution, present in archaea and eukaryotes from yeast to humans, where it localizes to the nucleus and cytoplasm. The catalytically active subunit Rrp44/Dis3 of the exosome in budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is considered a protein present in these two subcellular compartments, and here we report that it not only localizes mainly to the nucleus, but is concentrated in the nucleolus, where the early pre-rRNA processing reactions take place. Moreover, we show by confocal microscopy analysis that the core exosome subunits Rrp41 and Rrp43 also localize largely to the nucleus and strongly accumulate in the nucleolus. These results shown here shed additional light on the localization of the yeast exosome and have implications regarding the main function of this RNase complex, which seems to be primarily in early pre-rRNA processing and surveillance.

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) production represents the most active transcription in the cell. Synthesis of the large rRNA precursors (35S/47S in yeast/human) is achieved by up to hundreds of RNA polymerase I (Pol I) enzymes simultaneously transcribing a single rRNA gene. In this review, we present recent advances in understanding the coupling between rRNA production and nascent rRNA folding. Mapping of the distribution of Pol I along ribosomal DNA at nucleotide resolution, using either native elongating transcript sequencing (NET-Seq) or crosslinking and analysis of cDNAs (CRAC), revealed frequent Pol I pausing, and CRAC results revealed a direct coupling between pausing and nascent RNA folding. High density of Pol I per gene imposes topological constraints that establish a defined pattern of polymerase distribution along the gene, with a persistent spacing between transcribing enzymes. RNA folding during transcription directly acts as an anti-pausing mechanism, implying that proper folding of the nascent rRNA favors elongation in vivo. Defects in co-transcriptional folding of rRNA are likely to induce Pol I pausing. We propose that premature termination of transcription, at defined positions, can control rRNA production in vivo.

International audience; Pervasive transcription is widespread in eukaryotes, generating large families of non- coding RNAs. Such pervasive transcription is a key player in the regulatory pathways controlling chromatin state and gene expression. Here, we describe long non-coding RNAs generated from the ribosomal RNA gene promoter called UPStream-initiating transcripts (UPS). In yeast, rDNA genes are organized in tandem repeats in at least two different chromatin states, either transcribed and largely depleted of nucleosomes (open) or assembled in regular arrays of nucleosomes (closed). The production of UPS transcripts by RNA Polymerase II from endogenous rDNA genes was initially documented in mutants defective for rRNA production by RNA polymerase I. We show here that UPS are produced in wild-type cells from closed rDNA genes but are hidden within the enormous production of rRNA. UPS levels are increased when rDNA chromatin states are modified at high temperatures or entering/leaving quiescence. We discuss their role in the regulation of rDNA chromatin states and rRNA production.

Most cells exhibit a constant ratio between nuclear and cell volume. The mechanism dictating this constant ratio and the nuclear component(s) that scale with cell size are not known. To address this, we examined the consequences to the size and shape of the budding yeast nucleus when cell expansion is inhibited by down-regulating components of the secretory pathway. We find that under conditions where cell size increase is restrained, the nucleus becomes bilobed, with the bulk of the DNA in one lobe and the nucleolus in the other. The formation of bilobed nuclei is dependent on fatty acid and phospholipid synthesis, suggesting that it is associated with nuclear membrane expansion. Bilobed nuclei appeared predominantly after spindle pole body separation, suggesting that nuclear envelope expansion follows cell-cycle cues rather than cell size. Importantly, cells with bilobed nuclei had the same nuclear:cell volume ratio as cells with round nuclei. Therefore, the bilobed nucleus could be a consequence of continued NE expansion as cells traverse the cell cycle without an accompanying increase in nuclear volume due to the inhibition of cell growth. Our data suggest that nuclear volume is not determined by nuclear envelope availability but by one or more nucleoplasmic factors.

Chromosome spatial organization and dynamics influence DNA-related metabolic processes. SMC complexes like cohesin are essential instruments of chromosome folding. Cohesin-dependent chromatin loops bring together distal loci to regulate gene transcription, DNA repair and V(D)J recombination processes. Here we characterize further the roles of members of the cohesin holocomplex in regulating chromatin loop expansion, showing that Scc2, which stimulates cohesin ATPase activity, is essential for the translocation process required to extend DNA loop length. Eco1-dependent acetylation of Smc3 during S phase counteracts this activity through the stabilization of Pds5, to finely tune loop sizes and stability during G2. Inhibiting Pds5 in G2 leads to a strong enlargement of pre-established, stable DNA loops, in a Scc2-dependent manner. Altogether, the study strongly supports a Scc2-mediated translocation process driving expansion of DNA loops in living cells.

International audience; Cohesin, a member of the SMC complex family, holds sister chromatids together but also shapes chromosomes by promoting the formation of long-range intra-chromatid loops, a process proposed to be mediated by DNA loop extrusion. Here we describe the roles of three cohesin partners, Pds5, Wpl1, and Eco1, in loop formation along either unreplicated or mitotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosomes. Pds5 limits the size of DNA loops via two different pathways: the canonical Wpl1-mediated releasing activity and an Eco1-dependent mechanism. In the absence of Pds5, the main barrier to DNA loop expansion appears to be the centromere. Our data also show that Eco1 acetyl-transferase inhibits the translocase activity that powers loop formation and contributes to the positioning of loops through a mechanism that is distinguishable from its role in cohesion establishment. This study reveals that the mechanisms regulating cohesin-dependent chromatin loops are conserved among eukaryotes while promoting different functions.

Understanding how chromatin organizes spatially into chromatid and how sister chromatids are maintained together during mitosis is of fundamental importance in chromosome biology. Cohesin, a member of the Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes (SMC) complex family, holds sister chromatids together 1–3 and promotes long-range intra-chromatid DNA looping 4,5. These cohesin-mediated DNA loops are important for both higher-order mitotic chromatin compaction6,7 and, in some organisms, compartmentalization of chromosomes during interphase into topologically associating domains (TADs) 8,9. Our understanding of the mechanism(s) by which cohesin generates large DNA loops remains incomplete. It involves a combination of molecular partners and active expansion/extrusion of DNA loops. Here we dissect the roles on loop formation of three partners of the cohesin complex: Pds5 10, Wpl1 11 and Eco1 acetylase 12, during yeast mitosis. We identify a new function for Eco1 in negatively regulating cohesin translocase activity, which powers loop extrusion. In the absence of negative regulation, the main barrier to DNA loop expansion appears to be the centromere. Those results provide new insights on the mechanisms regulating cohesin dependent DNA looping.

International audience; Spatial organisation of chromosomes is a determinant of genome stability and is required for proper mitotic segregation. However, visualization of individual chromatids in living cells and quantification of their geometry, remains technically challenging. Here, we used live cell imaging to quantitate the three-dimensional conformation of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae ribosomal DNA (rDNA). rDNA is confined within the nucleolus and is composed of about 200 copies representing about 10% of the yeast genome. To fluorescently label rDNA in living cells, we generated a set of nucleolar proteins fused to GFP or made use of a tagged rDNA, in which lacO repetitions were inserted in each repeat unit. We could show that nucleolus is not modified in appearance, shape or size during interphase while rDNA is highly reorganized. Computationally tracing 3D rDNA paths allowed us to quantitatively assess rDNA size, shape and geometry. During interphase, rDNA was progressively reorganized from a zigzag segmented line of small size (5,5 µm) to a long, homogeneous, line-like structure of 8,7 µm in metaphase. Most importantly, whatever the cell-cycle stage considered, rDNA fibre could be decomposed in subdomains, as previously suggested for 3D chromatin organisation. Finally, we could determine that spatial reorganisation of these subdomains and establishment of rDNA mitotic organisation is under the control of the cohesin complex.

Ribosome biogenesis is a complex and energy-demanding process requiring tight coordination of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and ribosomal protein (RP) production. Given the extremely high level of RP synthesis in rapidly growing cells, alteration of any step in the ribosome assembly process may impact growth by leading to proteotoxic stress. Although the transcription factor Hsf1 has emerged as a central regulator of proteostasis, how its activity is coordinated with ribosome biogenesis is unknown. Here, we show that arrest of ribosome biogenesis in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae triggers rapid activation of a highly specific stress pathway that coordinately upregulates Hsf1 target genes and downregulates RP genes. Activation of Hsf1 target genes requires neo-synthesis of RPs, which accumulate in an insoluble fraction and presumably titrate a negative regulator of Hsf1, the Hsp70 chaperone. RP aggregation is also coincident with that of the RP gene activator Ifh1, a transcription factor that is rapidly released from RP gene promoters. Our data support a model in which the levels of newly synthetized RPs, imported into the nucleus but not yet assembled into ribosomes, work to continuously balance Hsf1 and Ifh1 activity, thus guarding against proteotoxic stress during ribosome assembly., eLife digest When yeast cells are growing at top speed, they can make 2,000 new ribosomes every minute. These enormous molecular assemblies are the protein-making machines of the cell. Building new ribosomes is one of the most energy-demanding parts of cell growth and, if the process goes wrong, the results can be catastrophic. The proteins that make up the ribosomes themselves are sticky. Left unattended, they start to form toxic clumps inside the compartment that houses most of the cell’s DNA, the nucleus. A protein called Heat shock factor 1, or Hsf1 for short, plays an important role in the cell's quality control systems. It helps to manage sticky proteins by switching on genes that break down protein clumps and prevent new clumps from forming. Hsf1 levels start to rise whenever cells are struggling to keep up with protein production. If it is half-finished ribosomes that are causing the problem, cells can stop making ribosome proteins. The protein in charge of this in yeast is Ifh1. It is a transcription factor that sits at the front of the genes for ribosome proteins, switching them on. When yeast cells get stressed, Ifh1 drops away from the genes within minutes, switching them off again. Yet how this happens, and how it links to Hsf1, is a mystery. To start to provide some answers, Albert et al. disrupted the production of ribosomes in yeast cells and examined the consequences. This revealed a new rescue response, that they named the “ribosome assembly stress response”. Both Hsf1 and Ifh1 are sensitive to the build-up of unfinished ribosomes in the nucleus. As expected, Hsf1 activated when ribosome proteins started to build up, and switched on the genes needed to manage the protein clumps. The effect on Isfh1, however, was unexpected. When the unassembled ribosome proteins started to build up, it was the clumps themselves that pulled the Ifh1 proteins off the genes. The unassembled ribosomes proteins seemed to be stopping their own production. Low levels of clumped ribosome proteins in the nuclei of unstressed cells also helped to keep Hsf1 active and pull Ifh1 off the ribosome genes. It is possible that this provides continual protection against a toxic protein build-up. These findings are not only important for understanding yeast cells; cancer cells also need to produce ribosomes at a very high rate to sustain their rapid growth. They too might be prone to stresses that interrupt their ribosome assembly. As such, understanding more about this process could one day lead to new therapies to target cancer cells.

DNA folding and dynamics along with major nuclear functions are determined by chromosome structural properties, which remain, thus far, elusive in vivo. Here, we combine polymer modeling and single particle tracking experiments to determine the physico-chemical parameters of chromatin in vitro and in living yeast. We find that the motion of reconstituted chromatin fibers can be recapitulated by the Rouse model using mechanical parameters of nucleosome arrays deduced from structural simulations. Conversely, we report that the Rouse model shows some inconsistencies to analyze the motion and structural properties inferred from yeast chromosomes determined with chromosome conformation capture techniques (specifically, Hi-C). We hence introduce the Rouse model with Transient Internal Contacts (RouseTIC), in which random association and dissociation occurs along the chromosome contour. The parametrization of this model by fitting motion and Hi-C data allows us to measure the kinetic parameters of the contact formation reaction. Chromosome contacts appear to be transient; associated to a lifetime of seconds and characterized by an attractive energy of –0.3 to –0.5 kBT. We suggest attributing this energy to the occurrence of histone tail-DNA contacts and notice that its amplitude sets chromosomes in ‘theta’ conditions, in which they are poised for compartmentalization and phase separation.

Most transcriptional activity of exponentially growing cells is carried out by the RNA Polymerase I (Pol I), which produces a ribosomal RNA (rRNA) precursor. In budding yeast, Pol I is a multimeric enzyme with 14 subunits. Among them, Rpa49 forms with Rpa34 a Pol I-specific heterodimer (homologous to PAF53/CAST heterodimer in human Pol I), which might be responsible for the specific functions of the Pol I. Previous studies provided insight in the involvement of Rpa49 in initiation, elongation, docking and releasing of Rrn3, an essential Pol I transcription factor. Here, we took advantage of the spontaneous occurrence of extragenic suppressors of the growth defect of the rpa49 null mutant to better understand the activity of Pol I. Combining genetic approaches, biochemical analysis of rRNA synthesis and investigation of the transcription rate at the individual gene scale, we characterized mutated residues of the Pol I as novel extragenic suppressors of the growth defect caused by the absence of Rpa49. When mapped on the Pol I structure, most of these mutations cluster within the jaw-lobe module, at an interface formed by the lobe in Rpa135 and the jaw made up of regions of Rpa190 and Rpa12. In vivo, the suppressor allele RPA135-F301S restores normal rRNA synthesis and increases Pol I density on rDNA genes when Rpa49 is absent. Growth of the Rpa135-F301S mutant is impaired when combined with exosome mutation rrp6Δ and it massively accumulates pre-rRNA. Moreover, Pol I bearing Rpa135-F301S is a hyper-active RNA polymerase in an in vitro tailed-template assay. We conclude that wild-type RNA polymerase I can be engineered to produce more rRNA in vivo and in vitro. We propose that the mutated area undergoes a conformational change that supports the DNA insertion into the cleft of the enzyme resulting in a super-active form of Pol I., This work was supported by the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANDY) and the IDEX of Toulouse University (Clemgene and Nudgene). We thank Margaux Cescato, Lilian Guillot and Jorge Perez-Fernandez for strain and plasmid constructions. YCp50-26 carrying RPA49 was kindly provided by P. Thuriaux. We also thank Melanie Panarotto for the Miller spread analysis. This work benefited from exchanges with all unit members, including Anthony Henras, Frederic Beckouët, Lise Dauban, and Marta Kwapisz. We thank Stephanie Balor and Vanessa Soldan from the METI platform for the TEM acquisitions. CFT was supported by grants BFU2013-48374-P and BFU2017-87397-P of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, and by the Ramón Areces Foundation.

Summary: Budding yeast cells undergo a limited number of divisions before they enter senescence and die. Despite recent mechanistic advances, whether and how molecular events are temporally and causally linked during the transition to senescence remain elusive. Here, using real-time observation of the accumulation of extrachromosomal rDNA circles (ERCs) in single cells, we provide evidence that ERCs build up rapidly with exponential kinetics well before any physiological decline. We then show that ERCs fuel a massive increase in ribosomal RNA (rRNA) levels in the nucleolus, which do not mature into functional ribosomes. This breakdown in nucleolar coordination is followed by a loss of nuclear homeostasis, thus defining a chronology of causally related events leading to cell death. A computational analysis supports a model in which a series of age-independent processes lead to an age-dependent increase in cell mortality, hence explaining the emergence of aging in budding yeast. : The accumulation of extrachromosomal rDNA circles (ERCs) is a hallmark of aging in budding yeast. Morlot et al. show that ERCs accumulate ahead of senescence onset and fuel an excessive rDNA transcription, ultimately leading to impaired nuclear homeostasis and an irreversible cell cycle slowdown. Keywords: live cell imaging, microfluidics, yeast replicative aging, ribosome biogenesis, nucleolus, rDNA, ERCs

How spatial organization of the genome depends on nuclear shape is unknown, mostly because accurate nuclear size and shape measurement is technically challenging. In large cell populations of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we assessed the geometry (size and shape) of nuclei in three dimensions with a resolution of 30 nm. We improved an automated fluorescence localization method by implementing a post-acquisition correction of the spherical microscopic aberration along the z-axis, to detect the three dimensional (3D) positions of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) in the nuclear envelope. Here, we used a method called NucQuant to accurately estimate the geometry of nuclei in 3D throughout the cell cycle. To increase the robustness of the statistics, we aggregated thousands of detected NPCs from a cell population in a single representation using the nucleolus or the spindle pole body (SPB) as references to align nuclei along the same axis. We could detect asymmetric changes of the nucleus associated with modification of nucleolar size. Stereotypical modification of the nucleus toward the nucleolus further confirmed the asymmetric properties of the nuclear envelope., Summary: This novel method to explore 3D geometry of the nuclear envelope with enhanced resolution and post-acquisition correction of z-axis aberration revealed increased NPC density near the SPB and the nucleolus.

In budding yeast, RNA polymerase III–transcribed genes preferentially associate with the nucleolar and nuclear periphery when permitted by the Rabl-like orientation of interphase chromosomes., The association of RNA polymerase III (Pol III)–transcribed genes with nucleoli seems to be an evolutionarily conserved property of the spatial organization of eukaryotic genomes. However, recent studies of global chromosome architecture in budding yeast have challenged this view. We used live-cell imaging to determine the intranuclear positions of 13 Pol III–transcribed genes. The frequency of association with nucleolus and nuclear periphery depends on linear genomic distance from the tethering elements—centromeres or telomeres. Releasing the hold of the tethering elements by inactivating centromere attachment to the spindle pole body or changing the position of ribosomal DNA arrays resulted in the association of Pol III–transcribed genes with nucleoli. Conversely, ectopic insertion of a Pol III–transcribed gene in the vicinity of a centromere prevented its association with nucleolus. Pol III–dependent transcription was independent of the intranuclear position of the gene, but the nucleolar recruitment of Pol III–transcribed genes required active transcription. We conclude that the association of Pol III–transcribed genes with the nucleolus, when permitted by global chromosome architecture, provides nucleolar and/or nuclear peripheral anchoring points contributing locally to intranuclear chromosome organization.

SummaryThe accumulation of Extrachromosomal rDNA Circles (ERCs) and their asymmetric segregation upon division have been hypothesized to be responsible for replicative senescence in mother yeasts and rejuvenation in daughter cells. However, it remains unclear by which molecular mechanisms ERCs would trigger the irreversible cell cycle slow-down leading to cell death. We show that ERCs accumulation is concomitant with a nucleolar stress, characterized by a massive accumulation of pre-rRNAs in the nucleolus, leading to a loss of nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio, decreased growth rate and cell-cycle slow-down. This nucleolar stress, observed in old mothers, is not inherited by rejuvenated daughters. Unlike WT, in the long-lived mutant fob1∆, a majority of cells is devoid of nucleolar stress and does not experience replicative senescence before death. Our study provides a unique framework to order the successive steps that govern the transition to replicative senescence and highlights the causal role of nucleolar stress in cellular aging.

Chromosome folding and nuclear organization are influenced by cellular processes while regulating genome functions. Intense efforts based on interdisciplinary research at the forefront of physics, mathematics, molecular and cellular biology, and biochemistry have contributed to a better understanding of the physical properties and mechanisms of chromosome conformation. In this chapter, we focus on technologies for capturing chromosome spatial and temporal fluctuations based on the realization that chromatin conformation is highly dynamic at every length and time scale. We describe state-of-the-art chromatin labeling technologies, focusing on optimizing yield of signal-to-noise ratio, high-throughput automated imaging techniques, and physical modeling. Systems biology approaches to map chromosome conformation using single or multiple labeled loci are illustrated, and implications of chromosome structural fluctuations on biological functions are discussed.

Chromosome mechanical properties determine DNA folding and dynamics, and underlie all major nuclear functions. Here we combine modeling and real-time motion tracking experiments to infer the physical parameters describing chromatin fibers. In vitro, motion of nucleosome arrays can be accurately modeled by assuming a Kuhn length of 35-55 nm. In vivo, the amplitude of chromosome fluctuations is drastically reduced, and depends on transcription. Transcription activation increases chromatin dynamics only if it involves gene relocalization, while global transcriptional inhibition augments the fluctuations, yet without relocalization. Chromatin fiber motion is accounted for by a model of equilibrium fluctuations of a polymer chain, in which random contacts along the chromosome contour induce an excess of internal friction. Simulations that reproduce chromosome conformation capture and imaging data corroborate this hypothesis. This model unravels the transient nature of chromosome contacts, characterized by a life time of ∼2 seconds and a free energy of formation of ∼1 kBT.

Ribosome biogenesis requires more than 200 trans-acting factors to achieve the correct production of the two mature ribosomal subunits. Here, we have identified Efg1 as a novel, nucleolar ribosome biogenesis factor in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that is directly linked to the surveillance of pre-40S particles. Depletion of Efg1 impairs early pre-rRNA processing, leading to a strong decrease in 18S rRNA and 40S subunit levels and an accumulation of the aberrant 23S rRNA. Using Efg1 as bait, we revealed a novel degradation pathway of the 23S rRNA. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments showed that Efg1 is a component of 90S pre-ribosomes, as it is associated with the 35S pre-rRNA and U3 snoRNA, but has stronger affinity for 23S pre-rRNA and its novel degradation intermediate 11S rRNA. 23S is cleaved at a new site, Q1, within the 18S sequence by the endonuclease Utp24, generating 11S and 17S' rRNA. Both of these cleavage products are targeted for degradation by the TRAMP/exosome complexes. Therefore, the Q1 site defines a novel endonucleolytic cleavage site of ribosomal RNA exclusively dedicated to surveillance of pre-ribosomal particles.

15 páginas, 11 figuras. El fichero contiene una rectificación en la página 17, The control of mRNA biogenesis is exerted at several steps. In response to extracellular stimuli, stress-activated protein kinases (SAPK) modulate gene expression to maximize cell survival. In yeast, the Hog1 SAPK plays a key role in reprogramming the gene expression pattern required for cell survival upon osmostress by acting during transcriptional initiation and elongation. Here, we genetically show that an intact nuclear pore complex is important for cell survival and maximal expression of stress-responsive genes. The Hog1 SAPK associates with nuclear pore complex components and directly phosphorylates the Nup1, Nup2, and Nup60 components of the inner nuclear basket. Mutation of those factors resulted in a deficient export of stress-responsive genes upon stress. Association of Nup1, Nup2, and Nup60 to stress-responsive promoters occurs upon stress depending on Hog1 activity. Accordingly, STL1 gene territory is maintained at the nuclear periphery upon osmostress in a Hog1-dependent manner. Cells containing non-phosphorylatable mutants in Nup1 or Nup2 display reduced expression of stress-responsive genes. Together, proper mRNA biogenesis of stress-responsive genes requires of the coordinate action of synthesis and export machineries by the Hog1 SAPK, This work was supported by MINECO (Spanish government) Grant BFU2012-33503, the Consolider Ingenio 2010 program (Grant CSD2007-0015), the Fundación Marcelino Botín (to F. P.), and Grant BFU2011-26722 (to E. d. N.). Recipients of an ICREA Acadèmia (Generalitat de Catalunya). Supported by the MINECO Grant BFU2011-23418. Supported by Agence Nationale de la Recherche (Nucleopol and ODynRib-Jeune chercheur program) and Jeune équipe from Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale.

The basal transcription/repair factor II H (TFIIH), found mutated in cancer-prone or premature aging diseases, plays a still unclear role in RNA polymerase I transcription. Furthermore, the impact of this function on TFIIH-related diseases, such as trichothiodystrophy (TTD), remains to be explored. Here, we studied the involvement of TFIIH during the whole process of ribosome biogenesis, from RNAP1 transcription to maturation steps of the ribosomal RNAs. Our results show that TFIIH is recruited to the ribosomal DNA in an active transcription-dependent manner and functions in RNAP1 transcription elongation through ATP hydrolysis of the XPB subunit. Remarkably, we found a TFIIH allele-specific effect, affecting RNAP1 transcription and/or the pre-rRNA maturation process. Interestingly, this effect was observed in mutant TFIIH-TTD cells and also in the brains of TFIIH-TTD mice. Our findings provide evidence that defective ribosome synthesis represents a new faulty mechanism involved in the pathophysiology of TFIIH-related diseases.

Transcription by RNA polymerase I (Pol-I) is the main driving force behind ribosome biogenesis, a fundamental cellular process that requires the coordinated transcription of all three nuclear polymerases. Increased Pol-I transcription and the concurrent increase in ribosome biogenesis has been linked to the high rates of proliferation in cancers. The ellipticine family contains a number of potent anticancer therapeutic agents, some having progressed to stage I and II clinical trials; however, the mechanism by which many of the compounds work remains unclear. It has long been thought that inhibition of Top2 is the main reason behind the drugs antiproliferative effects. Here we report that a number of the ellipticines, including 9-hydroxyellipticine, are potent and specific inhibitors of Pol-I transcription, with IC50 in vitro and in cells in the nanomolar range. Essentially, the drugs did not affect Pol-II and Pol-III transcription, demonstrating a high selectivity. We have shown that Pol-I inhibition occurs by a p53-, ATM/ATR-, and Top2-independent mechanism. We discovered that the drug influences the assembly and stability of preinitiation complexes by targeting the interaction between promoter recognition factor SL1 and the rRNA promoter. Our findings will have an impact on the design and development of novel therapeutic agents specifically targeting ribosome biogenesis. Background: rRNA synthesis by Pol-I is a key and rate-limiting stage of ribosome biogenesis. Results: Ellipticines selectively inhibit Pol-I transcription both in vitro and in cells. Conclusion: Interactions of essential transcription factor SL1 with the promoter is the primary target of the drugs. Significance: This study reveals a novel class of Pol-I inhibitors and analyses their mechanism of action.

Spatial organization of the genome has important impacts on all aspects of chromosome biology, including transcription, replication, and DNA repair. Frequent interactions of some chromosome domains with specific nuclear compartments, such as the nucleolus, are now well documented using genome-scale methods. However, direct measurement of distance and interaction frequency between loci requires microscopic observation of specific genomic domains and the nucleolus, followed by image analysis to allow quantification. The fluorescent repressor operator system (FROS) is an invaluable method to fluorescently tag DNA sequences and investigate chromosome position and dynamics in living cells. This chapter describes a combination of methods to define motion and region of confinement of a locus relative to the nucleolus in cell's nucleus, from fluorescence acquisition to automated image analysis using two dedicated pipelines.

Spatial organization of the genome has important impacts on all aspects of chromosome biology, including transcription, replication, and DNA repair. Frequent interactions of some chromosome domains with specific nuclear compartments, such as the nucleolus, are now well documented using genome-scale methods. However, direct measurement of distance and interaction frequency between loci requires microscopic observation of specific genomic domains and the nucleolus, followed by image analysis to allow quantification. The fluorescent repressor operator system (FROS) is an invaluable method to fluorescently tag DNA sequences and investigate chromosome position and dynamics in living cells. This chapter describes a combination of methods to define motion and region of confinement of a locus relative to the nucleolus in cell's nucleus, from fluorescence acquisition to automated image analysis using two dedicated pipelines.

Nucleoli form around RNA polymerase I transcribed ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. The direct electron microscopy observation of rRNA genes after nucleolar chromatin spreading (Miller's spreads) constitutes to date the only system to quantitatively assess transcription at a single molecule level. However, the spreading procedure is likely generating artifact and despite being informative, these spread rRNA genes are far from their in vivo situation. The integration of the structural characterization of spread rRNA genes in the three-dimensional (3D) organization of the nucleolus would represent an important scientific achievement. Here, we describe a correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) protocol allowing detection of tagged-Pol I by fluorescent microscopy and high-resolution imaging of the nucleolar ultrastructural context. This protocol can be implemented in laboratories equipped with conventional fluorescence and electron microscopes and does not require sophisticated "pipeline" for imaging.

Several DNA cis-elements and trans-acting factors were described to be involved in transcription termination and to release the elongating RNA polymerases from their templates. Different models for the molecular mechanism of transcription termination have been suggested for eukaryotic RNA polymerase I (Pol I) from results of in vitro and in vivo experiments. To analyse the molecular requirements for yeast RNA Pol I termination, an in vivo approach was used in which efficient termination resulted in growth inhibition. This led to the identification of a Myb-like protein, Ydr026c, as bona fide termination factor, now designated Nsi1 (NTS1 silencing protein 1), since it was very recently described as silencing factor of ribosomal DNA. Possible Nsi1 functions in regard to the mechanism of transcription termination are discussed.

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) production represents the most active transcription in the cell. Synthesis of the large rRNA precursors (35–47S) can be achieved by up to 150 RNA polymerase I (Pol I) enzymes simultaneously transcribing each rRNA gene. In this paper, we present recent advances made in understanding the regulatory mechanisms that control elongation. Built-in Pol I elongation factors, such as Rpa34/Rpa49 in budding yeast and PAF53/CAST in humans, are instrumental to the extremely high rate of rRNA production per gene. rRNA elongation mechanisms are intrinsically linked to chromatin structure and to the higher-order organization of the rRNA genes (rDNA). Factors such as Hmo1 in yeast and UBF1 in humans are key players in rDNA chromatin structurein vivo. Finally, elongation factors known to regulate messengers RNA production by RNA polymerase II are also involved in rRNA production and work cooperatively with Rpa49in vivo.

Nuclear organization can impact on all aspects of the genome life cycle. This organization is thoroughly investigated by advanced imaging and chromosome conformation capture techniques, providing considerable amount of datasets describing the spatial organization of chromosomes. In this review, we will focus on polymer models to describe chromosome statics and dynamics in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We suggest that the equilibrium configuration of a polymer chain tethered at both ends and placed in a confined volume is consistent with the current literature, implying that local chromatin interactions play a secondary role in yeast nuclear organization. Future challenges are to reach an integrated multi-scale description of yeast chromosome organization, which is crucially needed to improve our understanding of the regulation of genomic transaction.

The second-largest subunits of eukaryal RNA polymerases are similar to the β subunits of prokaryal RNA polymerases throughout much of their lengths. The second-largest subunits from eukaryal RNA polymerases contain a four-cysteine Zn-binding domain at their C termini. The domain is also present in archaeal homologs but is absent from prokaryal homologs. Here, we investigated the role of the C-terminal Zn-binding domain of Rpa135, the second-largest subunit of yeast RNA polymerase I. Analysis of nonfunctional Rpa135 mutants indicated that the Zn-binding domain is required for recruitment of the largest subunit, Rpa190, into the RNA polymerase I complex. Curiously, the essential function of the Rpa135 Zn-binding domain is not related to Zn 2+ binding per se, since replacement of only one of the four cysteine residues with alanine led to the loss of Rpa135 function. Even more strikingly, replacement of all four cysteines with alanines resulted in functional Rpa135.

Hmo1 is one of seven HMG-box proteins of Saccharo myces cerevisiae. Null mutants have a limited effect on growth. Hmo1 overexpression suppresses rpa49-Delta mutants lacking Rpa49, a non-essential but conserved subunit of RNA polymerase I corresponding to the animal RNA polymerase I factor PAF53. This overexpression strongly increases de novo rRNA synthesis. rpa49-Delta hmo1-Delta double mutants are lethal, and this lethality is bypassed when RNA polymerase II synthesizes rRNA. Hmo1 co-localizes with Fob1, a known rDNA-binding protein, defining a narrow territory adjacent to the nucleoplasm that could delineate the rDNA nucleolar domain. These data identify Hmo1 as a genuine RNA polymerase I factor acting synergistically with Rpa49. As an HMG-box protein, Hmo1 is remotely related to animal UBF factors. hmo1-Delta and rpa49-Delta are lethal with top3-Delta DNA topoisomerase (type I) mutants and are suppressed in mutants lacking the Sgs1 DNA helicase. They are not affected by top1-Delta defective in Top1, the other eukaryotic type I topoisomerase. Conversely, rpa34-Delta mutants lacking Rpa34, a non-essential subunit associated with Rpa49, are lethal in top1-Delta but not in top3-Delta.

Eukaryotic cells are highly compartmentalized, each compartment being surrounded by a lipid bilayer. This membrane-based organization allows cells to use their volumes to encode information. The lack of intranuclear membranes suggested that the nucleus was largely devoid of structural organization. However, recent work has defined numerous specialized nuclear subdomains. Importantly, RNA processing factors do not display random distribution but cluster in defined nuclear bodies. Although these structures are well characterized morphologically, their function in relation to RNA metabolism remains elusive. In this review, we will discuss the putative participation of nuclear substructures in a quality control step of RNA biogenesis, the nuclear retention of premature RNA.

A nuclear GTPase, Nug1p, was identified in a genetic screen for components linked to 60S ribosomal subunit export. Nug1p cosedimented with nuclear 60S preribosomes and was required for subunit export to the cytoplasm. Tagged Nug1p coprecipitated with proteins of the 60S subunit, late precursors to the 25S and 5.8S rRNAs, and at least 21 nonribosomal proteins. These included a homologous nuclear GTPase, Nug2p, the Noc2p/Noc3p heterodimer, Rix1p, and Rlp7p, each of which was implicated in 60S subunit export. Other known ribosome synthesis factors and proteins of previously unknown function, including the 559 kDa protein Ylr106p, also copurified. Eight of these proteins were copurified with nuclear pore complexes, suggesting that this complex represents the transport intermediate for 60S subunit export.

Ribosomal precursor particles are assembled in the nucleolus before export into the cytoplasm. Using a visual assay for nuclear accumulation of 60S subunits, we have isolated several conditional-lethal strains with defects in ribosomal export (rix mutants). Here we report the characterization of a mutation in an essential gene, RIX7, which encodes a novel member of the AAA ATPase superfamily. The rix7-1 temperature-sensitive allele carries a point mutation that causes defects in pre-rRNA processing, biogenesis of 60S ribosomal subunits, and their subsequent export into the cytoplasm. Rix7p, which associates with 60S ribosomal precursor particles, localizes throughout the nucleus in exponentially growing cells, but concentrates in the nucleolus in stationary phase cells. When cells resume growth upon shift to fresh medium, Rix7p–green fluorescent protein exhibits a transient perinuclear location. We propose that a nuclear AAA ATPase is required for restructuring nucleoplasmic 60S pre-ribosomal particles to make them competent for nuclear export.

Temperature-sensitive RNA polymerase III (rpc160-112 and rpc160-270) mutants were analyzed for the synthesis of tRNAs and rRNAs in vivo, using a double-isotopic-labeling technique in which cells are pulse-labeled with [(33)P]orthophosphate and coextracted with [(3)H]uracil-labeled wild-type cells. Individual RNA species were monitored by Northern blot hybridization or amplified by reverse transcription. These mutants impaired the synthesis of RNA polymerase III transcripts with little or no influence on mRNA synthesis but also largely turned off the formation of the 25S, 18S, and 5.8S mature rRNA species derived from the common 35S transcript produced by RNA polymerase I. In the rpc160-270 mutant, this parallel inhibition of tRNA and rRNA synthesis also occurred at the permissive temperature (25 degrees C) and correlated with an accumulation of 20S pre-rRNA. In the rpc160-112 mutant, inhibition of rRNA synthesis and the accumulation of 20S pre-rRNA were found only at 37 degrees C. The steady-state rRNA/tRNA ratio of these mutants reflected their tRNA and rRNA synthesis pattern: the rpc160-112 mutant had the threefold shortage in tRNA expected from its preferential defect in tRNA synthesis at 25 degrees C, whereas rpc160-270 cells completely adjusted their rRNA/tRNA ratio down to a wild-type level, consistent with the tight coupling of tRNA and rRNA synthesis in vivo. Finally, an RNA polymerase I (rpa190-2) mutant grown at the permissive temperature had an enhanced level of pre-tRNA, suggesting the existence of a physiological coupling between rRNA synthesis and pre-tRNA processing.

The complementary DNAs of the 12 subunits of fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) RNA polymerase II were expressed from strong promoters in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and tested for heterospecific complementation by monitoring their ability to replace in vivo the null mutants of the corresponding host genes. Rpb1 and Rpb2, the two largest subunits and Rpb8, a small subunit shared by all three polymerases, failed to support growth in S. cerevisiae. The remaining nine subunits were all proficient for heterospecific complementation and led in most cases to a wild-type level of growth. The two alpha-like subunits (Rpb3 and Rpb11), however, did not support growth at high (37 degrees C) or low (25 degrees C) temperatures. In the case of Rpb3, growth was restored by increasing the gene dosage of the host Rpb11 or Rpb10 subunits, confirming previous evidence of a close genetic interaction between these three subunits.

ABC10beta, a small polypeptide common to the three yeast RNA polymerases, has close homology to the N subunit of the archaeal enzyme and is remotely related to the smallest subunit of vaccinial RNA polymerase. The eucaryotic, archaeal, and viral polypeptides share an invariant motif CX2C. CC that is strictly essential for yeast growth, as shown by site-directed mutagenesis, whereas the rest of the ABC10beta sequence is fairly tolerant to amino acid replacements. ABC10beta has Zn2+ binding properties in vitro, and the CX2C. CC motif may therefore define an atypical metal-chelating site. Hybrid subunits that derive most of their amino acids from the archaeal subunit are functional in yeast, indicating that the archaeal and eucaryotic polypeptides have a largely equivalent role in the organization of their respective transcription complexes. However, all eucaryotic forms of ABC10beta harbor a HVDLIEK motif that, when mutated or replaced by its archaeal counterpart, leads to a polymerase I-specific lethal defect in vivo. This is accompanied by a specific lack in the largest subunit of RNA polymerase I (A190) in cell-free extracts, showing that the mutant enzyme is not properly assembled in vivo.

A34.5, a phosphoprotein copurifying with RNA polymerase I (Pol I), lacks homology to any component of the Pol II or Pol III transcription complexes. Cells devoid of A34.5 hardly affect growth and rRNA synthesis and generate a catalytically active but structurally modified enzyme also lacking subunit A49 upon in vitro purification. Other Pol I-specific subunits (A49, A14, and A12.2) are nonessential for growth at 30 degrees C but are essential (A49 and A12.2) or helpful (A14) at 25 or 37 degrees C. Triple mutants without A34.5, A49, and A12.2 are viable, but inactivating any of these subunits together with A14 is lethal. Lethality is rescued by expressing pre-rRNA from a Pol II-specific promoter, demonstrating that these subunits are collectively essential but individually dispensable for rRNA synthesis. A14 and A34.5 single deletions affect the subunit composition of the purified enzyme in pleiotropic but nonoverlapping ways which, if accumulated in the double mutants, provide a structural explanation for their strict synthetic lethality. A34.5 (but not A14) becomes quasi-essential in strains lacking DNA topoisomerase I, suggesting a specific role of this subunit in helping Pol I to overcome the topological constraints imposed on ribosomal DNA by transcription.

Chromosome dynamics are recognized to be intimately linked to genomic transactions, yet the physical principles governing spatial fluctuations of chromatin are still a matter of debate. Using high-throughput single-particle tracking, we recorded the movements of nine fluorescently labeled chromosome loci located on chromosomes III, IV, XII, and XIV of Saccharomyces cerevisiae over an extended temporal range spanning more than four orders of magnitude (10−2–103 sec). Spatial fluctuations appear to be characterized by an anomalous diffusive behavior, which is homogeneous in the time domain, for all sites analyzed. We show that this response is consistent with the Rouse polymer model, and we confirm the relevance of the model with Brownian dynamics simulations and the analysis of the statistical properties of the trajectories. Moreover, the analysis of the amplitude of fluctuations by the Rouse model shows that yeast chromatin is highly flexible, its persistence length being qualitatively estimated to

Ribosome biogenesis is a major metabolic effort for growing cells. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Hmo1, an abundant high-mobility group box protein (HMGB) binds to the coding region of the RNA polymerase I transcribed ribosomal RNAs genes and the promoters of similar to 70% of ribosomal protein genes. In this study, we have demonstrated the functional conservation of eukaryotic HMGB proteins involved in ribosomal DNA (rDNA) transcription. We have shown that when expressed in budding yeast, human UBF1 and a newly identified Sp-Hmo1 (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) localize to the nucleolus and suppress growth defect of the RNA polymerase I mutant rpa49-Delta. Owing to the multiple functions of both proteins, Hmo1 and UBF1 are not fully interchangeable. By deletion and domains swapping in Hmo1, we identified essential domains that stimulate rDNA transcription but are not fully required for stimulation of ribosomal protein genes expression. Hmo1 is organized in four functional domains: a dimerization module, a canonical HMGB motif followed by a conserved domain and a C-terminal nucleolar localization signal. We propose that Hmo1 has acquired species-specific functions and shares with UBF1 and Sp-Hmo1 an ancestral function to stimulate rDNA transcription.

Comprehensive analysis of the intranuclear territories and motion of budding yeast chromosome XII loci suggests that long-range chromosome architecture is mainly determined by the physical principles of polymers., Chromosomes architecture is viewed as a key component of gene regulation, but principles of chromosomal folding remain elusive. Here we used high-throughput live cell microscopy to characterize the conformation and dynamics of the longest chromosome of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (XII). Chromosome XII carries the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) that defines the nucleolus, a major hallmark of nuclear organization. We determined intranuclear positions of 15 loci distributed every ∼100 kb along the chromosome, and investigated their motion over broad time scales (0.2–400 s). Loci positions and motions, except for the rDNA, were consistent with a computational model of chromosomes based on tethered polymers and with the Rouse model from polymer physics, respectively. Furthermore, rapamycin-dependent transcriptional reprogramming of the genome only marginally affected the chromosome XII internal large-scale organization. Our comprehensive investigation of chromosome XII is thus in agreement with recent studies and models in which long-range architecture is largely determined by the physical principles of tethered polymers and volume exclusion.

Several DNA cis-elements and trans-acting factors were described to be involved in transcription termination and to release the elongating RNA polymerases from their templates. Different models for the molecular mechanism of transcription termination have been suggested for eukaryotic RNA polymerase I (Pol I) from results of in vitro and in vivo experiments. To analyse the molecular requirements for yeast RNA Pol I termination, an in vivo approach was used in which efficient termination resulted in growth inhibition. This led to the identification of a Myb-like protein, Ydr026c, as bona fide termination factor, now designated Nsi1 (NTS1 silencing protein 1), since it was very recently described as silencing factor of ribosomal DNA. Possible Nsi1 functions in regard to the mechanism of transcription termination are discussed.