The Rtf1/Prf1-dependent histone modification axis and Rpb1 C-terminal domain phosphorylation counteract multi-drug resistance in fission yeast [RNA-seq]
RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcription elongation directs an intricate pattern of histone modifications. Formation of this pattern involves a highly conserved regulatory axis, key components of which are the elongation factor Rtf1, monoubiquitylation of histone H2B (H2Bub1), and methylation of histone H3 on lysine 4 (H3K4me). Direct contact between Rtf1 and the ubiquitylation complex Rad6-Bre1 stimulates H2Bub1, which in turn promotes H3K4me by stimulating the activity of the Set1C/COMPASS methyltransferase complex. Previous studies have defined the molecular basis for these regulatory relationships, but it remains unclear how they regulate chromatin and transcription in vivo. We found that mutations affecting multiple components of the Rtf1-H2Bub1-H3K4me axis in the model eukaryote Schizosaccharomyces pombe caused resistance to the ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor hydroxyurea (HU). Resistance correlated with a reduced effect of HU on dNTP pools, bypass of the S-phase checkpoint in the presence of HU, and blunting of the transcriptional response to HU treatment. Mutations in the C-terminal repeat domain (CTD) of the RNAPII large subunit Rpb1 led to a similar spectrum of phenotypes. Moreover, all the HU resistant mutants we identified also exhibited resistance to several azole class antifungal agents. Our results suggest a novel, shared gene regulatory function of the Rtf1-H2Bub1-H3K4me axis and the Rpb1 CTD in controlling fungal drug tolerance. Overall design: To investigate the basis for hydroxyurea (HU) resistance in S. pombe mutants affecting the Rtf1/Prf1 histone modification axis, we compared the response to HU in wild-type and HU-resistant mutants.