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Selective termination of lnc RNA transcription promotes heterochromatin silencing and cell differentiation
Author(s) -
TouatTodeschini Leila,
Shichino Yuichi,
Dangin Mathieu,
ThierryMieg Nicolas,
Gilquin Benoit,
Hiriart Edwige,
Sachidanandam Ravi,
Lambert Emeline,
Brettschneider Janine,
Reuter Michael,
Kadlec Jan,
Pillai Ramesh,
Yamashita Akira,
Yamamoto Masayuki,
Verdel André
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.15252/embj.201796571
Subject(s) - biology , heterochromatin , gene silencing , transcription (linguistics) , microbiology and biotechnology , rna induced transcriptional silencing , transcription factor , rna , genetics , rna interference , chromatin , dna , gene , linguistics , philosophy
Long non‐coding RNA s (lnc RNA s) regulating gene expression at the chromatin level are widespread among eukaryotes. However, their functions and the mechanisms by which they act are not fully understood. Here, we identify new fission yeast regulatory lnc RNA s that are targeted, at their site of transcription, by the YTH domain of the RNA ‐binding protein Mmi1 and degraded by the nuclear exosome. We uncover that one of them, nam1 , regulates entry into sexual differentiation. Importantly, we demonstrate that Mmi1 binding to this lnc RNA not only triggers its degradation but also mediates its transcription termination, thus preventing lnc RNA transcription from invading and repressing the downstream gene encoding a mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase kinase ( MAPKKK ) essential to sexual differentiation. In addition, we show that Mmi1‐mediated termination of lnc RNA transcription also takes place at pericentromeric regions where it contributes to heterochromatin gene silencing together with RNA interference ( RNA i). These findings reveal an important role for selective termination of lnc RNA transcription in both euchromatic and heterochromatic lnc RNA ‐based gene silencing processes.