Mammalian NET-seq analysis defines nascent RNA profiles and associated RNA processing genome-wide

Nat Protoc. 2016 Mar;11(3):413-28. doi: 10.1038/nprot.2016.012. Epub 2016 Feb 4.

Abstract

The transcription cycle of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) correlates with changes to the phosphorylation state of its large subunit C-terminal domain (CTD). We recently developed Native Elongation Transcript sequencing using mammalian cells (mNET-seq), which generates single-nucleotide-resolution genome-wide profiles of nascent RNA and co-transcriptional RNA processing that are associated with different CTD phosphorylation states. Here we provide a detailed protocol for mNET-seq. First, Pol II elongation complexes are isolated with specific phospho-CTD antibodies from chromatin solubilized by micrococcal nuclease digestion. Next, RNA derived from within the Pol II complex is size fractionated and Illumina sequenced. Using mNET-seq, we have previously shown that Pol II pauses at both ends of protein-coding genes but with different CTD phosphorylation patterns, and we have also detected phosphorylation at serine 5 (Ser5-P) CTD-specific splicing intermediates and Pol II accumulation over co-transcriptionally spliced exons. With moderate biochemical and bioinformatic skills, mNET-seq can be completed in ∼6 d, not including sequencing and data analysis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods
  • Genome
  • Humans
  • Phosphorylation
  • RNA / genetics*
  • RNA / metabolism
  • RNA Polymerase II / metabolism
  • RNA Splicing
  • Sequence Analysis, RNA / methods*
  • Transcription, Genetic*
  • Transcriptome

Substances

  • RNA
  • RNA Polymerase II