Genome-wide mapping reveals conserved and diverged R-loop activities in the unusual genetic landscape of the African trypanosome genome

Briggs, E., Hamilton, G., Crouch, K. , Lapsley, C. and McCulloch, R. (2018) Genome-wide mapping reveals conserved and diverged R-loop activities in the unusual genetic landscape of the African trypanosome genome. Nucleic Acids Research, 46(22), pp. 11789-11805. (doi: 10.1093/nar/gky928) (PMID:30304482) (PMCID:PMC6294496)

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Abstract

R-loops are stable RNA–DNA hybrids that have been implicated in transcription initiation and termination, as well as in telomere maintenance, chromatin formation, and genome replication and instability. RNA Polymerase (Pol) II transcription in the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei is highly unusual: virtually all genes are co-transcribed from multigene transcription units, with mRNAs generated by linked trans-splicing and polyadenylation, and transcription initiation sites display no conserved promoter motifs. Here, we describe the genome-wide distribution of R-loops in wild type mammal-infective T. brucei and in mutants lacking RNase H1, revealing both conserved and diverged functions. Conserved localization was found at centromeres, rRNA genes and retrotransposon-associated genes. RNA Pol II transcription initiation sites also displayed R-loops, suggesting a broadly conserved role despite the lack of promoter conservation or transcription initiation regulation. However, the most abundant sites of R-loop enrichment were within the regions between coding sequences of the multigene transcription units, where the hybrids coincide with sites of polyadenylation and nucleosome-depletion. Thus, instead of functioning in transcription termination the most widespread localization of R-loops in T. brucei suggests a novel correlation with pre-mRNA processing. Finally, we find little evidence for correlation between R-loop localization and mapped sites of DNA replication initiation.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Crouch, Dr Kathryn and Briggs, Miss Emma and Hamilton, Dr Graham and Lapsley, Mr Craig and McCulloch, Professor Richard
Authors: Briggs, E., Hamilton, G., Crouch, K., Lapsley, C., and McCulloch, R.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Journal Name:Nucleic Acids Research
Publisher:Oxford University Press
ISSN:0305-1048
ISSN (Online):1362-4962
Published Online:10 October 2018
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2018 The Authors
First Published:First published in Nucleic Acids Research 46(22): 11789-11805
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
606431Kinase dependent control of DNA replication and repair as a drug target in Trypanosoma brucei.Richard McCullochBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)BB/K006495/1III - PARASITOLOGY
68706114CONFAP Understanding diverged genome repair and replication functions in trypanosomatid parasitesRichard McCullochBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)BB/M028909/1III - PARASITOLOGY
716221How do common and diverged features of the replicative stress response shape the biology of TriTrypRichard McCullochBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)BB/N016165/1III - PARASITOLOGY
371799The Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology ( Core Support )Andrew WatersWellcome Trust (WELLCOTR)104111/Z/14/Z & AIII - PARASITOLOGY