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Within the heterochromatin of budding yeast, RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcription is repressed by the Sir2 deacetylase. Although heterochromatic silencing is generally thought to be due to limited accessibility of the underlying DNA, there are several reports of RNAPII and basal transcription factors within silenced regions. Analysis of the rDNA array revealed cryptic RNAPII transcription within the "nontranscribed" spacer region. These transcripts are terminated by the Nrd1/Sen1 complex and degraded by the exosome. Mutations in this pathway lead to decreased silencing and dramatic chromatin changes in the rDNA locus. Interestingly, Nrd1 mutants also show higher levels of rDNA recombination, suggesting that the cryptic RNAPII transcription might have a physiological role in regulating rDNA copy number. The Nrd1/Sen1/exosome pathway also contributes to silencing at telomeric loci. These results suggest that silencing of heterochromatic genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae occurs at both transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.molcel.2008.01.011

Type

Journal article

Journal

Mol Cell

Publication Date

15/02/2008

Volume

29

Pages

313 - 323

Keywords

DNA, Ribosomal, Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal, Genes, Fungal, Genes, Reporter, Heterochromatin, RNA Polymerase II, RNA Stability, RNA, Fungal, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Silent Information Regulator Proteins, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Transcription, Genetic