Using both strands: The fundamental nature of antisense transcription

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Non-coding transcription across the antisense strands of genes is an abundant, pervasive process in eukaryotes from yeast to humans, however its biological function remains elusive. Here, we provide commentary on a recent study of ours, which demonstrates a genome-wide role for antisense transcription: establishing a unique, dynamic chromatin architecture over genes. Antisense transcription increases the level of nucleosome occupancy and histone acetylation at the promoter and body of genes, without necessarily modulating the level of protein-coding sense transcription. It is also associated with high levels of histone turnover. By allowing genes to sample a wider range of chromatin configurations, antisense transcription could serve to make genes more sensitive to changing signals, priming them for responses to developmental programs or stressful cellular environments. Given the abundance of antisense transcription and the breadth of these chromatin changes, we propose that antisense transcription represents a fundamental, canonical feature of eukaryotic genes.

Termination factor Rho: From the control of pervasive transcription to cell fate determination in Bacillus subtilis

“…Pervasive transcription may thus be the result of a tradeoff between evolutionary forces and the production of essentially nonfunctional transcripts that are neutral or even slightly deleterious in terms of organism fitness. However, extensive studies in eukaryotes have established pervasive transcription as a fundamental component of the regulatory circuits that notably increases the complexity of gene control [ 7 , 9 – 11 ]. The produced non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are involved in a wide range of cellular processes, playing crucial roles in development, aging, disease, and the evolution of complex organisms [ 7 , 12 , 13 ].…”

Antisense transcription represses Arabidopsis seed dormancy QTL DOG 1 to regulate drought tolerance

“…Antisense transcription from within terminators is a widespread and conserved phenomenon . Yeast terminators that serve as promoters for antisense transcription share features that are typical for canonical sense promoters, including high H3K4me3 levels and the presence of TATA‐like elements , but the functions of these transcripts are not always clear. Antisense transcription in yeast has been shown to permit the sensing of inorganic phosphate, lithium and many other stimuli .…”

Antisense lncRNA transcription drives stochastic Protocadherin α promoter choice

“…These antisense RNAs can function to either activate or repress transcription of the coding RNA from the sense promoter, in a process known as transcription interference (Bonasio and Shiekhattar, 2014). Interestingly, contrary to divergent promoters, active genes marked by convergent transcription are characterized by a unique chromatin signature (Brown et al, 2018;Mayer et al, 2015;Murray and Mellor, 2016;Scruggs et al, 2015). In this case, antisense RNA transcription has been proposed to actively shape a unique chromatin environment necessary to promote transcription of the cognate sense RNA.…”