The length of the transcript encoded from the Kcnq1ot1 antisense promoter determines the degree of silencing.

ABSTRACT: The underlying mechanisms linking antisense RNA, chromatin architecture and gene expression have not been fully elucidated. Here we show that long transcripts encoded from the Kcnq1ot1 antisense promoter silence the flanking genes more efficiently than short antisense transcripts. Interestingly, the antisense RNA-mediated deposition of inactive chromatin-specific histone modifications was higher with the longer antisense transcripts than with the shorter antisense transcripts. The kinetic studies of expression and chromatin remodeling of overlapping and nonoverlapping genes in response to antisense transcription revealed that the overlapping gene was rapidly silenced due to decrease in the occupancy of basal transcription machinery and simultaneous enrichment of its promoter with inactive

SUBMITTER: Kanduri C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1462980 | biostudies-literature | 2006 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature