title: Identification of novel noncoding transcripts in telomerase-negative yeast using RNA-seq.
abstract: Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein that maintains the ends of linear chromosomes in most eukaryotes. Loss of telomerase activity results in shortening of telomeric DNA and eventually a specific G2/M cell-cycle arrest known as senescence. In humans, telomere shortening occurs during aging, while inappropriate activation of telomerase is associated with approximately 90% of cancers. Previous studies have identified several classes of noncoding RNAs (ncRNA) also associated with aging-related senescence and cancer, but whether ncRNAs are also involved in short-telomere-induced senescence in yeast is unknown. Here, we report 112 putative novel lncRNAs in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, 41 of which are only expressed in telomerase-negative yeast. Expression of approximately half of the lncRNAs is strongly correlated with that of adjacent genes, suggesting this subset may influence transcription of neighboring genes. Our results reveal a new potential mechanism governing adaptive changes in senescing and post-senescent survivor yeast cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218 USA.
authors.forename: Rachel O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Niederer
authors.affiliation: Ludwig Center for Cancer Genetics and Therapeutics, The Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21231 USA.
authors.forename: Nickolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Papadopoulos
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218 USA.
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Zappulla
mesh_terms: D016922:Cellular Senescence; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D004843:Epistasis, Genetic; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D015966:Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; D009154:Mutation; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding / Q000235:genetics; D022661:RNA, Untranslated; D017423:Sequence Analysis, RNA; D019098:Telomerase / Q000172:deficiency*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D015003:Yeasts / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding; D022661:RNA, Untranslated; D019098:Telomerase