Local UV-induced DNA damage in cell nuclei results in local transcription inhibition.
UV-induced DNA damage causes cells to repress RNA synthesis and to initiate nucleotide excision repair (NER). NER and transcription are intimately linked processes. Evidence has been presented that, in addition to damaged genes, undamaged loci are transcriptionally inhibited. We investigated whether RNA synthesis from undamaged genes is affected by the presence of UV damage elsewhere in the same nucleus, using a novel technique to UV irradiate only part of a nucleus. We show that the basal transcription/repair factor TFIIH is recruited to the damaged nuclear area, partially depleting the undamaged nuclear area. Remarkably, this sequestration has no effect on RNA synthesis. This result was obtained for cells that are able to carry out NER and for cells deficient in NER. We conclude that cross talk between NER and transcription occurs only over short distances in nuclei of living cells.
Moné
M J
MJ
Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, BioCentrum Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam, Plantage Muidergracht 12, 1018 TV Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Volker
M
M
Nikaido
O
O
Mullenders
L H
LH
van Zeeland
A A
AA
Verschure
P J
PJ
Manders
E M
EM
van Driel
R
R
D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004249:DNA Damage; D004260:DNA Repair; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D010957:Plasmids / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D051758:Transcription Factor TFIIH; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D019473:Transcription Factors, TFII; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D014157:Transcription Factors; D019473:Transcription Factors, TFII; D051758:Transcription Factor TFIIH