RNA Polymerase II Promoter-Proximal Pausing and Release to Elongation Are Key Steps Regulating Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Transcription.

ABSTRACT: Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) genes are transcribed by cellular RNA polymerase II (Pol II). Expression of viral immediate early (α) genes is followed sequentially by early (β), late (γ₁), and true late (γ₂) genes. We used precision nuclear run-on with deep sequencing to map and to quantify Pol II on the HSV-1(F) genome with single-nucleotide resolution. Approximately 30% of total Pol II relocated to viral genomes within 3 h postinfection (hpi), when it occupied genes of all temporal classes. At that time, Pol II on α genes accumulated most heavily at promoter-proximal pause (PPP) sites located ∼60 nucleotides downstream of the transcriptional start site, while β genes bore Pol II more evenly across gene bodies. At 6 hpi, Pol II increased on γ₁ and γ_2<

SUBMITTER: Birkenheuer CH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7022368 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature