title: A model for the topology of active ribosomal RNA genes.
abstract: The Christmas tree view of active ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes suggests a gene topology in which a large number of nascent rRNA transcripts are prevented from intertwining. The way in which this is achieved has remained unclear. By using a combination of chromatin immunoprecipitation and chromosome conformation capture techniques, we show that the promoter, upstream region and terminator R3 of active rRNA genes are held together spatially throughout the cell cycle, forming a stable core around which the transcribed region is organized. We suggest a new core-helix model for the topology of rRNA genes, that provides a structural basis for the productive synthesis or rRNA.
authors.affiliation: Science Faculty, Department of Molecular Biology, Nijmegen Centre for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University (274), PO Box 9101, Nijmegen 6500 HB, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Serguei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Denissov
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lessard
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mayer
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stefanovsky
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Driel
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Grummt
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Moss
authors.forename: Hendrik G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Stunnenberg
mesh_terms: D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002453:Cell Cycle; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D047369:Chromatin Immunoprecipitation; D002877:Chromosomes, Human / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D020459:Genes, rRNA; D006801:Humans; D008957:Models, Genetic; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012318:RNA Polymerase I / Q000378:metabolism; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D035181:TATA-Box Binding Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D013728:Terminator Regions, Genetic; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal; D035181:TATA-Box Binding Protein; D012318:RNA Polymerase I