Isabel X. Wang

Widespread RNA and DNA Sequence Differences in the Human Transcriptome

All 12 categories of discordances can be observed where the RNA sequence does not match that of the DNA. The transmission of information from DNA to RNA is a critical process. We compared RNA sequences from human B cells of 27 individuals to the corresponding DNA sequences from the same individuals and uncovered more than 10,000 exonic sites where the RNA sequences do not match that of the DNA. All 12 possible categories of discordances were observed. These differences were nonrandom as many sites were found in multiple individuals and in different cell types, including primary skin cells and brain tissues. Using mass spectrometry, we detected peptides that are translated from the discordant RNA sequences and thus do not correspond exactly to the DNA sequences. These widespread RNA-DNA differences in the human transcriptome provide a yet unexplored aspect of genome variation.

Polymorphic Cis- and Trans-Regulation of Human Gene Expression

Using genetic and molecular analyses, we identified over 1,000 polymorphic regulators that regulate expression levels of human genes.

ADAR Regulates RNA Editing, Transcript Stability, and Gene Expression

SUMMARY Adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADARs) convert adenosine to inosine, which is then recognized as guanosine. To study the role of ADAR proteins in RNA editing and gene regulation, we sequenced and compared the DNA and RNA of human B cells. Then, we followed up the findings experimentally with siRNA knockdown and RNA and protein immunoprecipitations. The results uncovered over 60,000 A-to-G editing sites and several thousand genes whose expression levels are influenced by ADARs. Of these ADAR targets, 90% were identified. Our results also reveal that ADAR regulates transcript stability and gene expression through interaction with HuR (ELAVL1). These findings extend the role of ADAR and show that it cooperates with other RNA-processing proteins to regulate the sequence and expression of transcripts in human cells.

Mutational Analysis of the Sir3 BAH Domain Reveals Multiple Points of Interaction with Nucleosomes

ABSTRACT Sir3, a component of the transcriptional silencing complex in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has an N-terminal BAH domain that is crucial for the proteins silencing function. Previous work has shown that the N-terminal alanine residue of Sir3 (Ala2) and its acetylation play an important role in silencing. Here we show that the silencing defects of Sir3 Ala2 mutants can be suppressed by mutations in histones H3 and H4, specifically, by H3 D77N and H4 H75Y mutations. Additionally, a mutational analysis demonstrates that three separate regions of the Sir3 BAH domain are important for its role in silencing. Many of these BAH mutations also can be suppressed by the H3 D77N and H4 H75Y mutations. In agreement with the results of others, in vitro experiments show that the Sir3 BAH domain can interact with partially purified nucleosomes. The silencing-defective BAH mutants are defective for this interaction. These results, together with the previously characterized interaction between the C-terminal region of Sir3 and the histone H3/H4 tails, suggest that Sir3 utilizes multiple domains to interact with nucleosomes.

RNA-DNA Differences Are Generated in Human Cells within Seconds after RNA Exits Polymerase II

RNA sequences are expected to be identical to their corresponding DNA sequences. Here, we found all 12 types of RNA-DNA sequence differences (RDDs) in nascent RNA. Our results show that RDDs begin to occur in RNA chains ~55 nt from the RNA polymerase II (Pol II) active site. These RDDs occur so soon after transcription that they are incompatible with known deaminase-mediated RNA-editing mechanisms. Moreover, the 55 nt delay in appearance indicates that they do not arise during RNA synthesis by Pol II or as a direct consequence of modified base incorporation. Preliminary data suggest that RDD and R-loop formations may be coupled. These findings identify sequence substitution as an early step in cotranscriptional RNA processing.

Divergence of a conserved elongation factor and transcription regulation in budding and fission yeast

Complex regulation of gene expression in mammals has evolved from simpler eukaryotic systems, yet the mechanistic features of this evolution remain elusive. Here, we compared the transcriptional landscapes of the distantly related budding and fission yeast. We adapted the Precision Run-On sequencing (PRO-seq) approach to map the positions of RNA polymerase active sites genome-wide in Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Additionally, we mapped preferred sites of transcription initiation in each organism using PRO-cap. Unexpectedly, we identify a pause in early elongation, specific to S. pombe, that requires the conserved elongation factor subunit Spt4 and resembles promoter-proximal pausing in metazoans. PRO-seq profiles in strains lacking Spt4 reveal globally elevated levels of transcribing RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) within genes in both species. Messenger RNA abundance, however, does not reflect the increases in Pol II density, indicating a global reduction in elongation rate. Together, our results provide the first base-pair resolution map of transcription elongation in S. pombe and identify divergent roles for Spt4 in controlling elongation in budding and fission yeast.

Senataxin Mutation Reveals How R-Loops Promote Transcription by Blocking DNA Methylation at Gene Promoters

R-loops are three-stranded nucleic acid structures found abundantly and yet often viewed as by-products of transcription. Studying cells from patients with a motor neuron disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 4 [ALS4]) caused by a mutation in senataxin, we uncovered how R-loops promote transcription. In ALS4 patients, the senataxin mutation depletes R-loops with a consequent effect on gene expression. With fewer R-loops in ALS4 cells, the expression of BAMBI, a negative regulator of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), is reduced; that then leads to the activation of the TGF-β pathway. We uncovered that genome-wide R-loops influence promoter methylation of over 1,200 human genes. DNA methyl-transferase 1 favors binding to double-stranded DNA over R-loops. Thus, in forming R-loops, nascent RNA blocks DNA methylation and promotes further transcription. Hence, our results show that nucleic acid structures, in addition to sequences, influence the binding and activity of regulatory proteins.

Genetic variation in insulin‐induced kinase signaling

Individual differences in sensitivity to insulin contribute to disease susceptibility including diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Cellular responses to insulin are well studied. However, which steps in these response pathways differ across individuals remains largely unknown. Such knowledge is needed to guide more precise therapeutic interventions. Here, we studied insulin response and found extensive individual variation in the activation of key signaling factors, including ERK whose induction differs by more than 20‐fold among our subjects. This variation in kinase activity is propagated to differences in downstream gene expression response to insulin. By genetic analysis, we identified cis‐acting DNA variants that influence signaling response, which in turn affects downstream changes in gene expression and cellular phenotypes, such as protein translation and cell proliferation. These findings show that polymorphic differences in signal transduction contribute to individual variation in insulin response, and suggest kinase modulators as promising therapeutics for diseases characterized by insulin resistance.

Human proteins that interact with RNA/DNA hybrids

RNA/DNA hybrids form when RNA hybridizes with its template DNA generating a three-stranded structure known as the R-loop. Knowledge of how they form and resolve, as well as their functional roles, is limited. Here, by pull-down assays followed by mass spectrometry, we identified 803 proteins that bind to RNA/DNA hybrids. Because these proteins were identified using in vitro assays, we confirmed that they bind to R-loops in vivo. They include proteins that are involved in a variety of functions, including most steps of RNA processing. The proteins are enriched for K homology (KH) and helicase domains. Among them, more than 300 proteins preferred binding to hybrids than double-stranded DNA. These proteins serve as starting points for mechanistic studies to elucidate what RNA/DNA hybrids regulate and how they are regulated.

Corrigendum: Divergence of a conserved elongation factor and transcription regulation in budding and fission yeast

Genome Research 26: 799–811 (2016) Figure 1C and Supplemental Figure S1C in the above article displayed incorrect sequence logos based on the observed TSS. Observed positions on the plus strand were shifted by one base, causing a misalignment of underlying sequences. The authors would like to correct these panels and the text referring to them on pages 800–801 (“Results,” first subsection, second paragraph), which should read as follows: “Moreover, a moderate sequence preference for initiating at an A/G, immediately downstream from a C/T, was revealed under the observed TSS, whereas no base preferences underlie the PomBase annotations for the same genes (Fig. 1C).” Figure 1. The corrected Figure 1 is provided on the next page. Supplemental Tables S2 and S3 have also been corrected to remove this shift. The authors thank Craig Kaplan for bringing this to their attention, and apologize for any confusion this may have caused. The article has already been corrected in both the PDF and full-text HTML files online. doi: 10.1101/gr.210161.116