Comparative analysis reveals genomic features of stress-induced transcriptional readthrough Article Swipe
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· 2017
· Open Access
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· DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1711120114
· OA: W2755390119
Significance Cells and organisms live in constantly changing environments. Therefore, cells have evolved complex mechanisms to cope with physiological and environmental stresses. Many of these mechanisms involve transcriptional responses facilitating survival and adaptation. Recent evidence documents extensive transcriptional readthrough beyond annotated gene ends in response to stress, but the role and regulation of these downstream of gene-containing transcripts (DoGs) remain elusive. Here we report that induction of transcriptional readthrough is a hallmark of the mammalian stress response. We explore its causes and consequences in a genome-wide fashion, identifying thousands of readthrough transcripts that are induced in three different stress conditions. Our results suggest potential roles for this class of transcripts in the maintenance of open chromatin under stress.
