RNA Polymerase II is a Polar Roadblock to a Progressing DNA Fork.

ABSTRACT: DNA replication and transcription occur simultaneously on the same DNA template, leading to inevitable conflicts between the replisome and RNA polymerase. These conflicts can stall the replication fork and threaten genome stability. Although numerous studies show that head-on conflicts are more detrimental and more prone to promoting R-loop formation than co-directional conflicts, the fundamental cause for the RNA polymerase roadblock polarity remains unclear, and the structure of these R-loops is speculative. In this work, we use a simple model system to address this complex question by examining the Pol II roadblock to a DNA fork advanced via mechanical unzipping to mimic the replisome progression. We found that the Pol II binds more stably to resist removal in the head-on configuration,

SUBMITTER: Kay TM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11482878 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature