Destabilization of B2 RNA by EZH2 Activates the Stress Response.

ABSTRACT: More than 98% of the mammalian genome is noncoding, and interspersed transposable elements account for ∼50% of noncoding space. Here, we demonstrate that a specific interaction between the polycomb protein EZH2 and RNA made from B2 SINE retrotransposons controls stress-responsive genes in mouse cells. In the heat-shock model, B2 RNA binds stress genes and suppresses their transcription. Upon stress, EZH2 is recruited and triggers cleavage of B2 RNA. B2 degradation in turn upregulates stress genes. Evidence indicates that B2 RNA operates as a "speed bump" against advancement of RNA polymerase II, and temperature stress releases the brakes on transcriptional elongation. These data attribute a new function to EZH2 that is independent of its histone methyltransferase activity and reconcile how

SUBMITTER: Zovoilis A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5552366 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature