Promoter G-quadruplex folding precedes transcription and is controlled by chromatin.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Four-stranded G-quadruplexes (G4s) are DNA secondary structures in the human genome that are primarily found in active promoters associated with elevated transcription. Here, we explore the relationship between the folding of promoter G4s, transcription and chromatin state.

Results

Transcriptional inhibition by DRB or by triptolide reveals that promoter G4 formation, as assessed by G4 ChIP-seq, does not depend on transcriptional activity. We then show that chromatin compaction can lead to loss of promoter G4s and is accompanied by a corresponding loss of RNA polymerase II (Pol II), thus establishing a link between G4 formation and chromatin accessibility. Furthermore, pre-treatment of cells with a G4-stabilising ligand mitigates the loss of Pol II at promoters ind

SUBMITTER: Shen J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8103603 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature