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RNA polymerase II (Pol2) movement through chromatin and the co-transcriptional processing and fate of nascent transcripts is coordinated by transcription elongation factors (TEFs) such as polymerase-associated factor 1 (Paf1), but it is not known whether TEFs have gene-specific functions. Using strand-specific nucleotide resolution techniques, we show that levels of Paf1 on Pol2 vary between genes, are controlled dynamically by environmental factors via promoters, and reflect levels of processing and export factors on the encoded transcript. High levels of Paf1 on Pol2 promote transcript nuclear export, whereas low levels reflect nuclear retention. Strains lacking Paf1 show marked elongation defects, although low levels of Paf1 on Pol2 are sufficient for transcription elongation. Our findings support distinct Paf1 functions: a core general function in transcription elongation, satisfied by the lowest Paf1 levels, and a regulatory function in determining differential transcript fate by varying the level of Paf1 on Pol2.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.molcel.2017.01.006

Type

Journal article

Journal

Mol Cell

Publication Date

16/02/2017

Volume

65

Pages

685 - 698.e8

Keywords

NET-seq, Paf1, RNA polymerase II, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, TEF-seq, differential mRNP nuclear export, lncRNA, mRNA, nucleosome, transcription elongation, Active Transport, Cell Nucleus, Binding Sites, Cell Nucleus, Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal, Genotype, Mutation, Nuclear Proteins, Phenotype, Phosphorylation, Protein Binding, RNA Polymerase II, RNA, Fungal, RNA, Messenger, RNA-Binding Proteins, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins, Time Factors, Transcription Elongation, Genetic