In cycling cells, the rDNAs are expressed from telophase to the end of G2 phase. The early resumption of rDNA transcription at telophase raises the question of the fate of the rDNA transcription machinery during mitosis. At the beginning of mitosis, rDNA transcription is arrested, and the rDNAs are clustered in specific chromosomal sites, the nucleolar organizer regions (NOR). In human cells, we demonstrate that the rDNA transcription machinery, as defined in vitro, is colocalized in some NORs and absent from others whatever the mitotic phase: RNA polymerase I and the RNA polymerase I transcription factors, upstream binding factor and promoter selectivity factor (as verified for TATA-binding protein and TATA-binding protein-associated factor for RNA polymerase I [110]), were colocalized in the same NORs. The RNA polymerase I complex was localized using two different antibodies recognizing the two largest subunits or only the third largest subunit, respectively. These two antibodies immunoprecipitated the RNA polymerase I complex in interphase cells as well as in mitotic cells. These results clearly indicated that the RNA polymerase I complex remained assembled during mitosis. In addition, RNA polymerase I and the transcription factors varied in the same proportions in the positive NORs, suggesting stoichiometric association of these components. The fact that the rDNA transcription machinery is not equally distributed among NORs most likely reflects the implication of the different NORs during the subsequent interphase. Indeed, we demonstrate that only positive NORs exhibit transcription activity at telophase and that the level of transcription activity is related to the amount of rDNA transcription machinery present in the NOR. We propose that assembly of rDNA transcription machinery preceding mitosis determines expression of the rDNAs at the beginning of the next cell cycle. Consequently, the association of rDNAs with the rDNA transcription machinery defines the "active" NORs and the level of activity at the transition telophase/interphase.
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15 April 1996
Article|
April 15 1996
The rDNA transcription machinery is assembled during mitosis in active NORs and absent in inactive NORs.
P Roussel,
P Roussel
Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, France.
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D Hernandez-Verdun
D Hernandez-Verdun
Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, France.
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P Roussel
Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, France.
C André
Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, France.
L Comai
Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, France.
D Hernandez-Verdun
Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, France.
Online ISSN: 1540-8140
Print ISSN: 0021-9525
J Cell Biol (1996) 133 (2): 235–246.
Citation
P Roussel, C André, L Comai, D Hernandez-Verdun; The rDNA transcription machinery is assembled during mitosis in active NORs and absent in inactive NORs.. J Cell Biol 15 April 1996; 133 (2): 235–246. doi: https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.133.2.235
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