How Drosophila Histone Genes Are Controlled During the Cell Cycle
Author Information
Author(s): Kemp James P. Jr., Geisler Mark S., Hoover Mia, Cho Chun-Yi, O’Farrell Patrick H., Marzluff William F., Duronio Robert J.
Primary Institution: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
Hypothesis
The study investigates the molecular steps in transcription that are cell cycle regulated for Drosophila replication-dependent histone genes.
Conclusion
The activation of transcription elongation by Cyclin E/Cdk2 is the critical step that links histone gene expression to cell cycle progression in Drosophila.
Supporting Evidence
- Drosophila RNA Pol II promotes Histone Locus Body formation and is enriched outside of S phase.
- Transcription elongation factor Spt6 is enriched in HLBs only during S phase.
- Full-length histone mRNAs are produced when Cyclin E/Cdk2 is activated as cells enter S phase.
Takeaway
This study shows that Drosophila cells pause histone gene transcription during certain phases of the cell cycle and only produce full-length histone mRNAs when they enter S phase.
Methodology
The study used live and fixed imaging of Drosophila tissues to explore RNA polymerase II dynamics in the Histone Locus Body during different cell cycle stages.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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