Internal tracts of telomeric DNA act as silencers in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Genes Dev. 1994 Jun 15;8(12):1411-22. doi: 10.1101/gad.8.12.1411.

Abstract

Telomeric position effect (TPE) refers to the ability of telomeres to repress the transcription of genes in their vicinity. Internal stretches of C1-3A DNA, the sequence found at Saccharomyces telomeres, also repressed transcription of nearby genes. This repression, hereafter called C1-3A-based silencing, was observed at several chromosomal loci, including on a circular chromosome. The magnitude of C1-3A-based silencing was increased by both proximity to a telomere and increased length of the C1-3A tracts. C1-3A-based silencing was affected by many of the same genes and conditions that influence TPE and acted in an orientation-independent manner. Thus, in yeast, an expanded array of a simple repetitive DNA, C1-3A, is sufficient to promote the assembly of a transcriptionally silent chromosomal domain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • DNA, Fungal / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal*
  • Orotidine-5'-Phosphate Decarboxylase / genetics
  • Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid / genetics
  • Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics*
  • Telomere / genetics*
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription, Genetic*

Substances

  • DNA, Fungal
  • Trans-Activators
  • Orotidine-5'-Phosphate Decarboxylase