Correlation Engine 2.0
Clear Search sequence regions


  • gene (1)
  • mice (1)
  • POL- II (4)
  • PRC2 (12)
  • protein biosynthesis (1)
  • repress (1)
  • rna (10)
  • rna polymerase (3)
  • stem cells (2)
  • Sizes of these terms reflect their relevance to your search.

    Although polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) is now recognized as an RNA-binding complex, the full range of binding motifs and why PRC2-RNA complexes often associate with active genes have not been elucidated. Here, we identify high-affinity RNA motifs whose mutations weaken PRC2 binding and attenuate its repressive function in mouse embryonic stem cells. Interactions occur at promoter-proximal regions and frequently coincide with pausing of RNA polymerase II (POL-II). Surprisingly, while PRC2-associated nascent transcripts are highly expressed, ablating PRC2 further upregulates expression via loss of pausing and enhanced transcription elongation. Thus, PRC2-nascent RNA complexes operate as rheostats to fine-tune transcription by regulating transitions between pausing and elongation, explaining why PRC2-RNA complexes frequently occur within active genes. Nascent RNA also targets PRC2 in cis and downregulates neighboring genes. We propose a unifying model in which RNA specifically recruits PRC2 to repress genes through POL-II pausing and, more classically, trimethylation of histone H3 at Lys27.

    Citation

    Michael Rosenberg, Roy Blum, Barry Kesner, Eric Aeby, Jean-Michel Garant, Attila Szanto, Jeannie T Lee. Motif-driven interactions between RNA and PRC2 are rheostats that regulate transcription elongation. Nature structural & molecular biology. 2021 Jan;28(1):103-117

    Expand section icon Mesh Tags

    Expand section icon Substances


    PMID: 33398172

    View Full Text