ERC accumulation depletes Sir2 from rDNA and induces cellular senescence by rDNA destabilization.

ABSTRACT: Genome instability is a major factor contributing to cellular senescence. The rRNA gene (rDNA), a repetitive sequence array, is a highly unstable region of the genome. In budding yeast, this instability induces senescence and shortens the lifespan. While the importance of rDNA stability in the aging process is well recognized, the mechanism driving rDNA instability in old cells remains unclear. Using effective methods to isolate old cells in budding yeast, our observations suggest that non-coding RNA transcription from the bidirectional promoter E-pro increases by acetylation of histones H3K14 and H4K16, thereby triggering rDNA instability in old cells. Depletion of Gcn5, the enzyme responsible for H3K14 acetylation, reduced E-pro transcription and mitigated rDNA instability in old cells.

SUBMITTER: Yamamuro Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12571442 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature