G-quadruplexes are promoter elements controlling nucleosome exclusion and RNA polymerase II pausing.
Langue
EN
Article de revue
Ce document a été publié dans
Nature Genetics. 2025-08-01, vol. 57, n° 8, p. 1981-1993
Résumé en anglais
Despite their central role in transcription, it has been difficult to define universal sequences associated with eukaryotic promoters. Within the chromatin context, recruitment of transcriptional machinery requires promoter ...Lire la suite >
Despite their central role in transcription, it has been difficult to define universal sequences associated with eukaryotic promoters. Within the chromatin context, recruitment of transcriptional machinery requires promoter opening, but how DNA elements contribute to this process is unclear. Here we show that G-quadruplex (G4) secondary DNA structures are highly enriched at mammalian promoters. G4s are located at the deepest point of nucleosome exclusion at promoters and correlate with maximum promoter activity. We found that experimental G4s exclude nucleosomes in vivo and in vitro while favouring strong positioning. At model promoters, impairing G4s affected both transcriptional activity and chromatin opening. G4 destabilization also resulted in an inactive promoter state and affected the transition to effective RNA production. Finally, G4 stabilization resulted in global reduction of proximal promoter pausing. Altogether, our data introduce G4s as bona fide promoter elements allowing nucleosome exclusion and facilitating pause-release by RNA polymerase II.< Réduire
Mots clés en anglais
Nucleosomes
Promoter Regions
Genetic
RNA Polymerase II
G-Quadruplexes
Humans
Transcription
Genetic
Animals
Chromatin
Mice
DNA
Unités de recherche