tRNA gene identity affects nuclear positioning

PLoS One. 2011;6(12):e29267. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0029267. Epub 2011 Dec 19.

Abstract

The three-dimensional organization of genomes is dynamic and plays a critical role in the regulation of cellular development and phenotypes. Here we use proximity-based ligation methods (i.e. chromosome conformation capture [3C] and circularized chromosome confrmation capture [4C]) to explore the spatial organization of tRNA genes and their locus-specific interactions with the ribosomal DNA. Directed replacement of one lysine and two leucine tRNA loci shows that tRNA spatial organization depends on both tRNA coding sequence identity and the surrounding chromosomal loci. These observations support a model whereby the three-dimensional, spatial organization of tRNA loci within the nucleus utilizes tRNA gene-specific signals to affect local interactions, though broader organization of chromosomal regions are determined by factors outside the tRNA genes themselves.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Nucleolus / genetics
  • Cell Nucleus / genetics*
  • Chromosomes, Fungal / genetics
  • Genes, Fungal / genetics*
  • Genetic Loci / genetics
  • Lysine / metabolism
  • RNA, Transfer / genetics*
  • RNA, Transfer / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / cytology
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics

Substances

  • RNA, Transfer
  • Lysine