R-loops induce repressive chromatin marks over mammalian gene terminators.

ABSTRACT: The formation of R-loops is a natural consequence of the transcription process, caused by invasion of the DNA duplex by nascent transcripts. These structures have been considered rare transcriptional by-products with potentially harmful effects on genome integrity owing to the fragility of the displaced DNA coding strand. However, R-loops may also possess beneficial effects, as their widespread formation has been detected over CpG island promoters in human genes. Furthermore, we have previously shown that R-loops are particularly enriched over G-rich terminator elements. These facilitate RNA polymerase II (Pol II) pausing before efficient termination. Here we reveal an unanticipated link between R-loops and RNA-interference-dependent H3K9me2 formation over pause-site termination regions in

SUBMITTER: Skourti-Stathaki K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4272244 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature