title: Nuclear RNAs confined to a reticular compartment between chromosome territories.
abstract: RNA polymerase II transcripts are confined to nuclear compartments. A detailed analysis of the nuclear topology of RNA from individual genes was performed for transcripts from the marker gene coding for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase, expressed at a high level from the HTLV-1 LTR promoter. The construct was transfected into A293 cells where the RNA was organized as an extensive reticular network. We also studied the RNA distribution from combinations of neighboring HIV and bacterial resistance genes that co-integrated within the genome of COS-7 cells-revealing spherical or track-like accumulations of RNA that were extensively branched. There were many nuclei with distinct but overlapping RNA accumulations. Since the coding genes localized at the overlapping points, the RNAs are synthesized at a common region and diverge. The correlation between the frequency of the separation of the transcripts and the physical distance of the respective genes suggests a subcompartmentalization in the microenvironment of genes on the basis of geometric parameters. Thus, the more distant the genes are on the same chromosome, the more likely they are confined to separated subcompartments of an extensive reticular system. Co-delineation of the RNA transcripts with Cajal bodies and chromosome territories indicated the organization of nuclear RNA transcripts in a reticular interchromosome domain compartment.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Molekulare Genetik, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Joanna M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bridger
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kalla
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wodrich
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Weitz
authors.forename: Jason A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Khashayarsha
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Khazaie
authors.forename: Hans-Georg
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Kräusslich
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lichter
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000378:metabolism; D019556:COS Cells; D002451:Cell Compartmentation; D002460:Cell Line; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000737:chemistry*; D015500:Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000235:genetics*; D020541:Coiled Bodies / Q000378:metabolism; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D005819:Genetic Markers; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D007211:Indoles; D007399:Interphase; D008677:Metaphase; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D015138:RNA, Nuclear / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D005819:Genetic Markers; D007211:Indoles; D015138:RNA, Nuclear; D012367:RNA, Viral; C007293:DAPI; D015500:Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase