Short RNAs are transcribed from repressed polycomb target genes and interact with polycomb repressive complex-2

Item Type:	Article
Title:	Short RNAs are transcribed from repressed polycomb target genes and interact with polycomb repressive complex-2
Creators Name:	Kanhere, A. and Viiri, K. and Araujo, C.C. and Rasaiyaah, J. and Bouwman, R.D. and Whyte, W.A. and Pereira, C.F. and Brookes, E. and Walker, K. and Bell, G.W. and Pombo, A. and Fisher, A.G. and Young, R.A. and Jenner, R.G.
Abstract:	Polycomb proteins maintain cell identity by repressing the expression of developmental regulators specific for other cell types. Polycomb repressive complex-2 (PRC2) catalyzes trimethylation of histone H3 lysine-27 (H3K27me3). Although repressed, PRC2 targets are generally associated with the transcriptional initiation marker H3K4me3, but the significance of this remains unclear. Here, we identify a class of short RNAs, approximately 50-200 nucleotides in length, transcribed from the 5' end of polycomb target genes in primary T cells and embryonic stem cells. Short RNA transcription is associated with RNA polymerase II and H3K4me3, occurs in the absence of mRNA transcription, and is independent of polycomb activity. Short RNAs form stem-loop structures resembling PRC2 binding sites in Xist, interact with PRC2 through SUZ12, cause gene repression in cis, and are depleted from polycomb target genes activated during cell differentiation. We propose that short RNAs play a role in the association of PRC2 with its target genes.
Keywords:	DNA, Proteins, Base Sequence, Chromatin, Cultured Cells, Embryonic Stem Cells, Genetic Promoter Regions, Genetic Transcription, Histones, Lysine, Molecular Sequence Data, Neurons, Nucleic Acid Conformation, Polycomb-Group Proteins, RNA, Repressor Proteins, T-Lymphocytes, Animals, Mice
Source:	Molecular Cell
ISSN:	1097-2765
Publisher:	Cell Press
Volume:	38
Number:	5
Page Range:	675-688
Date:	11 June 2010
Official Publication:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2010.03.019
PubMed:	View item in PubMed

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