The Ribosomal Gene Loci-The Power Behind the Throne

Overview

Journal Genes (Basel)

Publisher MDPI

Date 2021 Jun 2

PMID 34069807

Citations 9

Authors

Konstantin I Panov

Katherine Hannan

Ross D Hannan

Nadine Hein

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Nucleoli form around actively transcribed ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes (rDNA), and the morphology and location of nucleolus-associated genomic domains (NADs) are linked to the RNA Polymerase I (Pol I) transcription status. The number of rDNA repeats (and the proportion of actively transcribed rRNA genes) is variable between cell types, individuals and disease state. Substantial changes in nucleolar morphology and size accompanied by concomitant changes in the Pol I transcription rate have long been documented during normal cell cycle progression, development and malignant transformation. This demonstrates how dynamic the nucleolar structure can be. Here, we will discuss how the structure of the rDNA loci, the nucleolus and the rate of Pol I transcription are important for dynamic regulation of global gene expression and genome stability, e.g., through the modulation of long-range genomic interactions with the suppressive NAD environment. These observations support an emerging paradigm whereby the rDNA repeats and the nucleolus play a key regulatory role in cellular homeostasis during normal development as well as disease, independent of their role in determining ribosome capacity and cellular growth rates.

Citing Articles

Hypermethylation at 45S rDNA promoter in cancers.

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The cytidine deaminase APOBEC3A regulates nucleolar function to promote cell growth and ribosome biogenesis.

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