Project description:The protein IWS1 (Interacts with SPT6 1) has been implicated in various transcription-associated processes, but whether it has a direct role in RNA polymerase (Pol) II transcription remains unclear. Here, we establish a rapid depletion system for IWS1 in human cells, and use it to elucidate its function in vivo by multi-omics kinetic analysis. We show that IWS1 depletion results in a global decrease of RNA synthesis in vivo that is due to a decrease in Pol II elongation velocity and in vitro biochemical assays reveal that IWS1 directly stimulates Pol II transcription by lowering the nucleosome entry barrier. Further analyses show that H3K36me3 decreases upon IWS1 depletion although the recruitment of the histone methyltransferase SETD2 to chromatin is unaffected. We conclude that IWS1 has a direct role in Pol II transcription and is essential for maintaining normal RNA elongation, which in turn is required for normal chromatin methylation.
Project description:Interacts with SPT6 1 (IWS1) has been implicated in various co-transcriptional processes, yet its direct role in RNA Polymerase (Pol) II transcription in vivo remains elusive. In this study, we utilized a rapid depletion system of IWS1 in human cells, followed by multi-omics analysis and biochemical assays, to elucidate its function. We show that IWS1 depletion results in a global decrease of RNA synthesis, but does not affect the chromatin recruitment of the histone methyltransferase SETD2. In vivo and in vitro analyses of nascent transcription and histone modifications revealed that the observed decrease in methylation is a secondary effect of the transcription defect caused by IWS1 depletion. Whereas these results show that IWS1 is essential for maintaining normal RNA Pol II elongation velocity in vivo, and that it can directly stimulate transcription.
Project description:The protein IWS1 (Interacts with SPT6 1) has been implicated in various transcription-associated processes, but whether it has a direct role in RNA polymerase (Pol) II transcription remains unclear. Here, we establish a rapid depletion system for IWS1 in human cells, and use it to elucidate its function in vivo by multi-omics kinetic analysis. We show that IWS1 depletion results in a global decrease of RNA synthesis in vivo that is due to a decrease in Pol II elongation velocity and in vitro biochemical assays reveal that IWS1 directly stimulates Pol II transcription by lowering the nucleosome entry barrier. Further analyses show that H3K36me3 decreases upon IWS1 depletion although the recruitment of the histone methyltransferase SETD2 to chromatin is unaffected. We conclude that IWS1 has a direct role in Pol II transcription and is essential for maintaining normal RNA elongation, which in turn is required for normal chromatin methylation.
Project description:Interacts with SPT6 1 (IWS1) has been implicated in various co-transcriptional processes, yet its direct role in RNA Polymerase (Pol) II transcription in vivo remains elusive. In this study, we utilized a rapid depletion system of IWS1 in human cells, followed by multi-omics analysis and biochemical assays, to elucidate its function. We show that IWS1 depletion results in a global decrease of RNA synthesis, but does not affect the chromatin recruitment of the histone methyltransferase SETD2. In vivo and in vitro analyses of nascent transcription and histone modifications revealed that the observed decrease in methylation is a secondary effect of the transcription defect caused by IWS1 depletion. Whereas these results show that IWS1 is essential for maintaining normal RNA Pol II elongation velocity in vivo, and that it can directly stimulate transcription.
Project description:Interacts with SPT6 1 (IWS1) has been implicated in various co-transcriptional processes, yet its direct role in RNA Polymerase (Pol) II transcription in vivo remains elusive. In this study, we utilized a rapid depletion system of IWS1 in human cells, followed by multi-omics analysis and biochemical assays, to elucidate its function. We show that IWS1 depletion results in a global decrease of RNA synthesis, but does not affect the chromatin recruitment of the histone methyltransferase SETD2. In vivo and in vitro analyses of nascent transcription and histone modifications revealed that the observed decrease in methylation is a secondary effect of the transcription defect caused by IWS1 depletion. Whereas these results show that IWS1 is essential for maintaining normal RNA Pol II elongation velocity in vivo, and that it can directly stimulate transcription.
Project description:To reveal the influence of TND-interacting motifs (TIMs), which bind TFIIS N-terminal domains (TNDs), we prepared KELLY cells expressing either wild-type IWS1-FLAG or IWS1-FLAG containing disruptive mutations in the unstructured TIM3 region. Following lentiviral transduction of either WT or M3 IWS1-FLAG, we prepared PRO-seq libraries from these samples and examined elongation profiles. Analysis of elongation profiles revealed that TIM3 disruption induces pervasive defects of transcription elongation.
Project description:RNA polymerase II (Pol II) elongation is a critical step in gene expression. Here we find that NDF, which was identified as a bilaterian nucleosome-destabilizing factor, is also a Pol II transcription factor that stimulates elongation with plain DNA templates in the absence of nucleosomes. NDF binds directly to Pol II and enhances elongation by a different mechanism than does transcription factor TFIIS. Moreover, yeast Pdp3, which is related to NDF, binds to Pol II and stimulates elongation. Thus, NDF is a Pol II-binding transcription elongation factor that is localized over gene bodies and is conserved from yeast to humans.
Project description:Cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) phosphorylates the carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase II (pol II) but its roles in transcription beyond the expression of DNA damage response genes remain unclear. Here, we have used TT-seq and mNET-seq to monitor the direct effects of rapid CDK12 inhibition on transcription activity and CTD phosphorylation in human cells. CDK12 inhibition causes a genome-wide defect in transcription elongation and a global reduction of CTD Ser2 and Ser5 phosphorylation. The elongation defect is explained by the loss of the elongation factors LEO1 and CDC73, part of PAF1 complex, and SPT6 from the newly-elongating pol II. Our results indicate that CDK12 is a general activator of pol II transcription elongation and indicate that it targets both Ser2 and Ser5 residues of the pol II CTD.