Transcriptional responses to loss of RNase H2 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
We report here the transcriptional responses in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to deletion of the RNH201 gene encoding the catalytic subunit of RNase H2. Deleting RNH201 alters RNA expression of 349 genes by ≥1.5-fold (q-value <0.01), of which 123 are upregulated and 226 are downregulated. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) include those involved in stress responses and genome maintenance, consistent with a role for RNase H2 in removing ribonucleotides incorporated into DNA during replication. Upregulated genes include several that encode subunits of RNA polymerases I and III, and genes involved in ribosomal RNA processing, ribosomal biogenesis and tRNA modification and processing, supporting a role for RNase H2 in resolving R-loops formed during transcription of rRNA and tRNA genes. A role in R-loop resolution is further suggested by a higher average GC-content proximal to the transcription start site of downregulated as compared to upregulated genes. Several DEGs are involved in telomere maintenance, supporting a role for RNase H2 in resolving RNA-DNA hybrids formed at telomeres. A large number of DEGs encode nucleases, helicases and genes involved in response to dsRNA viruses, observations that could be relevant to the nucleic acid species that elicit an innate immune response in RNase H2-defective humans.
Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Laboratory of Structural Biology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, DHHS, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
Mercedes E
ME
Arana
Robnet T
RT
Kerns
Laura
L
Wharey
Kevin E
KE
Gerrish
Pierre R
PR
Bushel
Thomas A
TA
Kunkel
D001482:Base Composition; D020134:Catalytic Domain; D004260:DNA Repair; D004261:DNA Replication; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017353:Gene Deletion; D015966:Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; D053263:Gene Regulatory Networks; D020459:Genes, rRNA; D042822:Genomic Instability; D012331:RNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012343:RNA, Transfer / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012260:Ribonucleases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D016615:Telomere / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D024363:Transcription Initiation Site; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D004271:DNA, Fungal; D012331:RNA, Fungal; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D012343:RNA, Transfer; D012260:Ribonucleases; C569437:Rnh201 protein, S cerevisiae