R-loops do not accumulate in transcription-defective hpr1-101 mutants: implications for the functional role of THO/TREX

Nucleic Acids Res. 2009 Jul;37(13):4315-21. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkp385. Epub 2009 May 18.

Abstract

To get further insight into the effect that THO/TREX and R-loops have in transcription-associated recombination and transcription, we analyzed the ability to form R-loops of hpr1-101, a THO mutation that impairs transcription and mRNP biogenesis without triggering hyper-recombination. Human AID, a cytidine deaminase that acts on ssDNA displaced by RNA-DNA hybrids, strongly induced both hyper-recombination and hyper-mutation in hpr1-101, similar to hpr1Delta mutants. However, in contrast to hpr1Delta, AID-induced mutations in hpr1-101 occur at similar frequencies in both the transcribed and non-transcribed strands, implying that the enhanced AID action in these mutants is not caused by co-transcriptional R-loops. These results indicate for the first time that THO has a transcriptional function that is not mediated by R-loops, providing a new perspective for the understanding of the coupling of transcription with mRNP biogenesis and export.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Cytidine Deaminase / metabolism
  • DNA, Single-Stranded / analysis
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Humans
  • Mutation
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Point Mutation
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Recombination, Genetic*
  • Ribonuclease H / metabolism
  • Ribonucleoproteins / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic*

Substances

  • DNA, Single-Stranded
  • HPR1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Ribonucleoproteins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • messenger ribonucleoprotein
  • Ribonuclease H
  • ribonuclease HI
  • AICDA (activation-induced cytidine deaminase)
  • Cytidine Deaminase