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Molecular Cell

Elsevier BV

All preprints, ranked by how well they match Molecular Cell's content profile, based on 350 papers previously published here. The average preprint has a 0.25% match score for this journal, so anything above that is already an above-average fit. Older preprints may already have been published elsewhere.

1
Aberrant RNA methylation triggers recruitment of an alkylation repair complex

Brickner, J. R.; Tsao, N.; Rodell, R.; Oyeniran, C.; Lukinovic, V.; Bacolla, A.; Zhang, L.; Soll, J. M.; Casanova, A.; Ganguly, A.; He, C.; Tainer, J.; Reynoird, N.; Mosammaparast, N.

2020-08-31 molecular biology 10.1101/2020.08.28.271874 medRxiv
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A critical question in genome stability is the nature of the chemical damage responsible for repair activation. We previously reported a novel pathway specifically activated during alkylation damage in human cells, where the E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF113A mediates the recruitment of the ASCC repair complex. Yet the mechanistic basis for the alkylation damage selectivity of this pathway remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that RNA but not DNA alkylation is the initiating signal for this process. Aberrantly methylated RNA is sufficient to recruit ASCC, while an RNA dealkylase suppresses ASCC recruitment during chemical alkylation. This aberrant RNA methylation causes transcriptional repression in a manner dependent on the ASCC complex. We show that an alkylated pre-mRNA, or an RNA containing a single damaged base, is sufficient to activate RNF113A E3 activity in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. Together, our work identifies an unexpected role for RNA damage in eliciting a DNA repair response, and suggests that RNA may serve as the "canary in the coal mine" for sensing alkylation damage.

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Multistep mechanism of DNA replication-coupled G-quadruplex resolution

Sato, K.; Martin-Pintado, N.; Post, H.; Altelaar, M.; Knipscheer, P.

2020-11-11 biochemistry 10.1101/2020.11.11.378067 medRxiv
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G-quadruplex (or G4) structures are non-canonical DNA structures that form in guanine-rich sequences and threaten genome stability when not properly resolved. G4 unwinding occurs during S phase via an unknown mechanism. Using Xenopus egg extracts, we define a three-step G4 unwinding mechanism that is coupled to DNA replication. First, the replicative helicase (CMG) stalls at a leading strand G4 structure. Second, the DHX36 helicase mediates the bypass of the CMG past the intact G4 structure, which allows approach of the leading strand to the G4. Third, G4 structure unwinding by the FANCJ helicase enables the DNA polymerase to synthesize past the G4 motif. A G4 on the lagging strand template does not stall CMG, but still requires DNA replication for unwinding. DHX36 and FANCJ have partially redundant roles, conferring robustness to this pathway. Our data reveal a novel genome maintenance pathway that promotes faithful G4 replication thereby avoiding genome instability.

3
mRNA 3'UTRs chaperone intrinsically disordered regions to control protein activity

Luo, Y.; Zhong, Y.; Basu, S.; Mayr, C.

2025-07-03 molecular biology 10.1101/2025.07.02.662873 medRxiv
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Nearly 3,000 human mRNA 3'UTRs have hundreds of highly conserved nucleotides, but their biological roles are unclear. These mRNAs mostly encode proteins with long intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs), including MYC, UTX, and JMJD3. We show that these proteins are only fully active when translated from mRNA templates that include their 3'UTRs, raising the possibility of functional interactions between 3'UTRs and IDRs. Rather than affecting protein abundance or localization, we find that the KDM6B 3'UTR in the mRNA template changes the folding of the encoded IDR-containing JMJD3 protein. It promotes IDR-IDR interactions and suppresses folding between domains, suggesting that RNA acts as IDR chaperone that prevents interference of hydrophobic clusters in the IDR with folding of the structured domain. mRNA-based IDR chaperones are enriched in meshlike cytoplasmic condensates, suggesting localized chaperone activity. As hydrophobic clusters in IDRs are widespread, our data suggest that 3'UTR-dependent protein folding could be a widely used mechanism for activity regulation of transcriptional regulators.

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NEDDylation stabilizes eIF3g and eIF3i during stress

Jayabalan, A. k.; Mariappan, R.; Rajendiran, A.; Ohn, T.

2026-08-24 cell biology 10.64898/2026.08.22.746433 medRxiv
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Stress granules (SGs) are cytoplasmic biomolecular condensates that assemble when translation initiation stalls, sequestering stalled preinitiation complexes and associated RNA-binding proteins. How individual initiation factors are targeted to SGs and released following stress recovery to reinitiate translation remains poorly understood. Here, combining a NEDD8-conjugate proteome with our previously reported arsenite-induced NEDD8 interactome and curated RNA granule databases, we find that eIF3g and eIF3i are shared, high-confidence NEDDylated SG components. NEDDylation of eIF3g and eIF3i-associated complexes is readily detected at steady state and declines under arsenite stress. Intriguingly, only full-length eIF3g is recruited to SGs. eIF3g lacking the RRM domain strongly inhibits SG formation, whereas the RRM domain alone neither inhibits SG assembly nor localizes to SGs. Blocking the NEDD8 pathway--by NAE inhibition with MLN4924, depletion of NEDD8 pathway components, or expression of the deNEDDylase NEDP1--accelerates the loss of eIF3g and eIF3i protein during stress. Our data indicate that NEDDylation marks a degradation-resistant pool of eIF3g/eIF3i that is competent for SG localization, linking the NEDD8 pathway to initiation-factor proteostasis and condensate partitioning, and potentially making these factors available for translation reinitiation during stress recovery.

5
Phase-Separated RNA Condensates Govern Cas13 Target Accessibility and Cleavage

Jagjeet Singh, G. K. G.; Hu, W.; Shembrey, C.; Hodel, A.; Voskoboinik, I.; McMillan, P.; Trapani, J.; Fareh, M.

2026-05-13 molecular biology 10.64898/2026.05.12.724747 medRxiv
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RNA-guided CRISPR-Cas13 nucleases must efficiently locate and target specific transcripts amidst the millions of other RNA molecules that are spatially regulated in the cell. Yet the mechanisms by which Cas13 finds its targets within this crowded, compartmentalized environment remain elusive. Here, we show that diverse Cas13 orthologs assemble into distinct cytoplasmic granules in a crRNA-concentration dependent manner. These granules exhibit hallmark features of phase-separated condensates, displaying liquid-like viscoelasticity and dynamic molecular exchange with the cytoplasm, as demonstrated by FRAP analysis in both human and bacterial cells. Molecular profiling revealed that Cas13 co-localizes with polyadenylated RNAs and noncoding RNAs within condensates that display markers of canonical RNA granules. Biochemical purification coupled with RNA sequencing shows Cas13 associated with thousands of transcripts within condensates, likely mediated by electrostatic interactions with its positively charged surface. Notably, Cas13 retains catalytic activity within these condensates, efficiently cleaving co-localized targets, whereas RNA species excluded from the condensates remain largely protected from Cas13 cleavage. This data indicates that condensate-based spatial organization facilitates efficient sampling and binding of diverse RNA targets by concentrating Cas13 and its substrates within a confined, liquid-like compartment. Together, our findings uncover a conserved spatial mechanism regulating Cas13 activity across bacterial and mammalian cells, where localization within RNA dense granules governs Cas13 activity in cells.

6
Mechanistic basis of gene-specific transcription regulation by the Integrator complex

Sabath, K.; Nabih, A.; Arnold, C.; Moussa, R.; Domjan, D.; Zaugg, J. B.; Jonas, S.

2024-01-25 molecular biology 10.1101/2024.01.24.576984 medRxiv
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The Integrator complex (INT) regulates gene expression via premature transcription termination of RNA polymerase II (RNAP2) at promoter-proximal pausing sites. This attenuation of transcription is required for cellular response to external stimuli, cell differentiation and neurodevelopment. How gene-specific regulation is achieved by INT in an inducible manner remains unclear. Here, we identify two sites on INT subunits 13/14 that serve as direct binding hubs for diverse sets of sequence-specific transcription factors (TFs) and other transcription effector complexes. The TFs co-localize with INT genome-wide, increase INT abundance on target genes and co-regulate inducible transcriptional programs. Consistently, disruption of INT-TF contacts impairs sensory cilia formation in response to glucose starvation. Structural analysis places INTs TF binding hubs upstream of the transcription bubble when attached to paused RNAP2, consistent with simultaneous TF-promoter association. Our data establish TF-mediated recruitment of INT to promoters as a widespread mechanism for targeted and inducible transcription attenuation.

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SPARK-ID: Dynamic DSB-sensor interactomes reveal modular nuclear repair networks coordinated by connector proteins

Garcia-Venzor, A.; De Allende-Becerra, E.; Kaluski-Kopach, S.; Lurgi, M.; Toiber, D.

2026-07-28 molecular biology 10.64898/2026.07.27.740882 medRxiv
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DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) activate repair pathways that must be coordinated with other cellular functions. Although DSB sensors SIRT6, Ku80, and MRE11 initiate repair, how they organize these nuclear processes remains unknown. SPARK-ID is a proximity-labeling strategy mapping DDR interactome dynamics. Using these sensors as baits, we resolved chromatin-associated interactomes from damage formation to recovery. The sensors shared an enriched repair core while capturing distinct interactors, allowing temporal specialization: SIRT6ID was biased toward RNA and chromatin regulation, Ku80ID toward telomere-associated and translational programs, and MRE11ID toward recombination and DNA synthesis. Modularity analysis showed these functions are organized into modules linked by "connectors". Among them, Nucleolin linked DNA repair, RNA-metabolism, and nucleolar modules. Nucleolin depletion rewired DSB-sensor interactomes, altered repair-associated complex composition, expanded {gamma}H2AX domains, and reduced BRCA1, 53BP1, and phospho-ATM foci. Altogether, SPARK-ID reveals modular DSB-sensor interactomes whose robustness depends on connectors that integrate and constrain the DNA damage response. Graphical AbstractThree DSB sensors (MRE11, Ku80, SIRT6) orchestrate DNA repair through dynamic protein-protein interaction networks that expand upon DSB induction. Proximity labeling reveals distinct sensor interactomes that share a functional core of nuclear processes while incorporating sensor-specific interactors for pathway specialization. These networks contain connector nodes that coordinate multiple parallel nuclear functions, enabling functional diversification and conferring robustness to the DNA damage response. The sensors reshape their interactome structure and composition to integrate and constrain cellular responses through organized macromolecular complexes. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=89 SRC="FIGDIR/small/740882v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (30K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1bb112dorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@64cc4dorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1a0e2d1org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@18b3e8b_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

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Protein hyperacylation links mitochondrial dysfunction with nuclear organization

Smestad, J. A.; McCauley, M.; Amato, M.; Xiong, Y.; Liu, J.; Sin, Y.-C.; Ellingson, J.; Chen, Y.; Al Khazal, F.; Wilbanks, B.; Lee, J.-H.; Ordog, T.; Rouzina, I.; Williams, M. C.; Locasale, J.; Maher, L. J.

2020-10-23 cell biology 10.1101/2020.10.23.350892 medRxiv
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Cellular metabolism is linked to epigenetics, but the biophysical effects of metabolism on chromatin structure and implications for gene regulation remain largely unknown. Here, using a broken tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and disrupted electron transport chain (ETC) exemplified by succinate dehydrogenase subunit C (SDHC) deficiency, we investigated the effects of metabolism on chromatin architecture over multiple distance scales [nucleosomes ([~]102 bp), topologically-associated domains (TADs; [~]105 - 106 bp), and chromatin compartments (106 - 108 bp)]. Metabolically-driven hyperacylation of histones led to weakened nucleosome positioning in multiple types of chromatin, and we further demonstrate that lysine acylation directly destabilizes histone octamer-DNA interactions. Hyperacylation of cohesin subunits correlated with decreased mobility on interphase chromatin and increased TAD boundary strength, suggesting that cohesin is metabolically regulated. Erosion of chromatin compartment distinctions reveals metabolic regulation of chromatin liquid-liquid phase separation. The TCA cycle and ETC thus modulate chromatin structure over multiple distance scales.

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FUS and TAF15 safeguard the critical functions of the ribonucleoprotein network formed by EWSR1 and newly synthesized RNA

Sundara Rjan, S.; Khan, I.; Jones, T.; Brownmiller, T.; Ebegboni, V.; Lim, L.; Tran, A. D.; Kruhlak, M.; Caplen, N.

2026-03-26 molecular biology 10.64898/2026.03.24.713985 medRxiv
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The FET family of RNA-binding proteins, FUS, EWSR1, and TAF15, contribute to transcriptional regulation and RNA maturation, but their core functions remain unclear. Chromosomal rearrangements involving FUS, EWSR1, or TAF15 drive multiple cancers, and mutations in the genes encoding the FET proteins are associated with neurodegenerative disease. Here, using nanoscale imaging, we show that endogenous EWSR1 and newly synthesized RNA exhibit a network-like organization with EWSR1 foci forming the nodes of this ribonucleoprotein network. Acute depletion of EWSR1 causes a rapid but transient reduction in nascent RNA levels and cellular metabolic activity without affecting active transcription. Notably, loss of EWSR1 induces a compensatory mechanism involving the reorganization of FUS and TAF15 to closely resemble that of EWSR1, including enhanced clustering with newly synthesized RNA. Together, our findings reveal functional redundancy within the FET protein family that is critical for the homeostatic regulation of nascent RNA levels. In briefSundara Rajan et al. show that endogenous EWSR1 and nascent RNA form a ribonucleoprotein network. EWSR1 depletion transiently reduces nascent RNA and metabolic activity without impairment of transcriptional elongation. Loss of EWSR1 induces compensatory reorganization of FUS and TAF15, revealing a protein family mechanism required for the homeostatic regulation of nascent RNA levels. HighlightsO_LIEWSR1 and nascent RNA form a ribonucleoprotein network C_LIO_LIEWSR1 loss transiently reduces nascent RNA and metabolic activity C_LIO_LIFUS and TAF15 undergo compensatory nuclear reorganization upon EWSR1 loss C_LIO_LIFUS and TAF15 functionally replace EWSR1 C_LI GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=199 SRC="FIGDIR/small/713985v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (59K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@b66671org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@ff8d49org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@194cfd4org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@d889f5_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

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An AlphaFold2 map of the 53BP1 pathway identifies a direct SHLD3-RIF1 interaction critical for DNA repair activity

Sifri, C.; Hoeg, L.; Durocher, D.; Setiaputra, D.

2023-01-12 molecular biology 10.1101/2023.01.12.523815 medRxiv
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53BP1 is a chromatin-binding DNA repair protein that promotes DNA double-strand break repair through recruitment of downstream effectors including RIF1, shieldin, and CST. The structural basis of the protein-protein interactions within the 53BP1-RIF1-shieldin-CST pathway that are essential for its DNA repair activity are largely unknown. Here we used AlphaFold2-Multimer (AF2) to predict all possible pairwise combinations of proteins within this pathway and provide structural models of seven previously characterized interactions. This analysis also predicted an entirely novel binding interface between the HEAT-repeat domain of RIF1 and the eIF4E-like domain of SHLD3. Extensive interrogation of this interface through both in vitro pulldown analysis and cellular assays supports the AF2-predicted model and demonstrates that RIF1-SHLD3 binding is essential for shieldin recruitment to sites of DNA damage, and for its role in antibody class switch recombination. Direct physical interaction between RIF1 and SHLD3 is therefore essential for 53BP1-RIF1-shieldin-CST pathway activity.

11
Mpe1 senses the polyadenylation signal in pre-mRNA to control cleavage and polyadenylation

Rodriguez-Molina, J. B.; O'Reilly, F. J.; Sheekey, E.; Maslen, S.; Skehel, J. M.; Rappsilber, J.; Passmore, L. A.

2021-09-03 molecular biology 10.1101/2021.09.02.458805 medRxiv
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Most eukaryotic messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are processed at their 3-end by the cleavage and polyadenylation factor (CPF/CPSF). CPF mediates endonucleolytic cleavage of the pre-mRNA and addition of a polyadenosine (poly(A)) tail, which together define the 3-end of the mature transcript. Activation of CPF is highly regulated to maintain fidelity of RNA processing. Here, using cryoEM of yeast CPF, we show that the Mpe1 subunit directly contacts the polyadenylation signal sequence in nascent pre- mRNA. This RNA-mediated link between the nuclease and polymerase modules promotes activation of the CPF endonuclease and controls polyadenylation. Mpe1 rearrangement is antagonized by another subunit, Cft2. In vivo, depletion of Mpe1 leads to widespread defects in transcription termination by RNA Polymerase II, resulting in transcription interference on neighboring genes. Together, our data suggest that Mpe1 plays a major role in selecting the cleavage site, activating CPF and ensuring timely transcription termination.

12
Biomolecular condensates amplify mRNA decapping by coupling protein interactions with conformational changes in Dcp1/Dcp2

Ryan W Tibble; Anaïs Depaix; Joanna Kowalska; Jacek Jemielity; John D Gross

2020-07-09 biochemistry 10.1101/2020.07.09.195057 medRxiv
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Cells organize biochemical processes into biological condensates. P-bodies are cytoplasmic condensates enriched in factors important for mRNA degradation. P-bodies have been identified as sites of both mRNA storage and decay, but how these opposing outcomes may be achieved in condensates is unresolved. A critical step in mRNA degradation is removal of the 5-7-methylguanosine cap by Dcp1/Dcp2, which is highly enriched in P-bodies. Dcp1/Dcp2 activity is repressed in condensates in vitro and requires the activator Edc3. Activation of decapping is amplified in condensates relative to the surrounding solution due to stabilization of an autoinhibited state in Dcp1/Dcp2. Edc3 couples a conformational change in the Dcp1/Dcp2 active site with alteration of the protein-protein interactions driving phase separation to activate decapping in condensates. The composition-dependent regulation of enzyme activity in condensates occurs over length scales ranging from microns to [A]ngstroms and may control the functional state of P-bodies and related phase-separated compartments. HIGHLIGHTSO_LImRNA decapping in droplets is repressed C_LIO_LICatalytically inert droplets are activated by a change in condensate composition C_LIO_LIA switch in enzymatic activity requires a conformational change in condensates C_LIO_LICondensates amplify enzyme activation compared to surrounding solution C_LI

13
ORC1 binds to cis-transcribed RNAs for efficient activation of replication origins

Mas, A. M.; Goni, E.; Ruiz de los Mozos, I.; Arcas, A.; Statello, L.; Gonzalez, J.; Blazquez, L.; Lee, W. T. C.; Gupta, D.; Sejas, A.; Hoshina, S.; Armaos, A.; Tartaglia, G. G.; Waga, S.; Ule, J.; Rothenberg, E.; Gomez, M.; Huarte, M.

2023-03-07 molecular biology 10.1101/2023.03.07.531515 medRxiv
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Cells must coordinate the activation of thousands of replication origins dispersed throughout their genome. Active transcription is known to favor the formation of mammalian origins, although the role that RNA plays in this process remains unclear. We show that the ORC1 subunit of the human Origin Recognition Complex interacts with RNAs transcribed from genes with origins in their transcription start sites (TSSs), displaying a positive correlation between RNA binding and origin activity. RNA depletion, or the use of ORC1 RNA-binding mutant, result in inefficient activation of proximal origins, linked to impaired ORC1 chromatin release. ORC1 RNA binding activity resides in its intrinsically disordered region, involved in intra- and inter-molecular interactions, regulation by phosphorylation, and phase-separation. We show that RNA binding favors ORC1 chromatin release, by regulating its phosphorylation and subsequent degradation. We propose that fluctuating concentrations of RNA during the cell cycle may play a sequential role in controlling origins through interaction with this flexible region of ORC1. Our results unveil a novel non-coding function of RNA as a dynamic component of the chromatin, orchestrating the activation of replication origins. One sentence summaryThe human origin recognition complex subunit 1 ORC1, binds to RNAs transcribed from genes with origins of replication at the TSS, which is required for optimal origin activation.

14
HENMT1 restricts endogenous retrovirus activity by methylation of 3'-tRNA fragments

Steinberg, J. I.; Sertznig, H.; Desmarais, J. J.; Wilken, J.; Rubio, D.; Peacey, M.; Kinney, J. B.; Schorn, A. J.

2025-05-12 molecular biology 10.1101/2025.05.12.650695 medRxiv
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Long terminal repeat (LTR) retroelements such as endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) utilize host tRNA as a primer for reverse transcription, and are thus susceptible to silencing by small RNAs derived from the 3'-end of mature tRNAs (3'-tRFs). Rigorous quantification reveals that 3-tRF amounts are not directly proportional to tRNA levels, instead, 3-tRFs of specific isodecoder tRNAs are highly enriched in a pattern conserved between mouse and human. We found that 3-tRFs are 2-O methylated by the small RNA methyltransferase HENMT1 protecting them from degradation and promoting ERV silencing. In the absence of HENMT1, 3-tRFs are subjected to non-templated tailing by the terminal nucleotidyltransferases TUT4 and TENT2 that regulate small RNA turnover. Due to the perfect sequence complementarity of 3-tRFs to endogenous retroviral sequences, they have thousands of targets in mammalian genomes. We conducted a massively parallel reporter assay using Mus musculus particle type D, a highly active murine ERV, to determine target site rules for 3-tRFs. Our results suggest that HENMT1 not only stabilizes germline integrity but also serves transposon control by 3-tRFs in the soma.

15
Large-scale allosteric switch in the 7SK RNA regulates transcription in response to growth and stress

Olson, S. W.; Turner, A.-M. W.; Arney, J. W.; Saleem, I.; Weidmann, C. A.; Margolis, D. M.; Weeks, K. M.; Mustoe, A. M.

2021-09-16 biochemistry 10.1101/2021.09.16.460563 medRxiv
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7SK is a highly conserved non-coding RNA that regulates eukaryotic transcription by sequestering positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb). 7SK regulatory function likely entails changes in RNA structure, but characterizing dynamic RNA-protein complexes in cells has remained an unsolved challenge. We describe a new chemical probing strategy (DANCE-MaP) that uses maximum likelihood deconvolution and probabilistic read assignment to define simultaneously (i) per-nucleotide reactivity profiles, (ii) direct base pairing interactions, and (iii) tertiary and higher-order interactions for each conformation of multi-state RNA structural ensembles, all from a single experiment. We show that human 7SK RNA, despite significant heterogeneity, intrinsically codes for a large-scale structural switch that couples dissolution of the P-TEFb binding site to structural remodeling at distal release factor binding sites. The 7SK structural equilibrium is regulated by cell type, shifts dynamically in response to cell growth and stress, and can be exogenously targeted to modulate transcription in cells. Our data support that the 7SK structural ensemble functions as an integrator of diverse cellular signals to control transcription elongation in environment and cell specific ways, and establishes DANCE-MaP as a powerful strategy for comprehensively defining RNA structure and dynamics in cells.

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Single-molecule tracking reveals the functional allocation, in vivo interactions, and spatial organization of universal transcription factor NusG

el Sayyed, H.; Pambos, O. J.; Stracy, M.; Gottesman, M. E.; Kapanidis, A. N.

2022-11-22 molecular biology 10.1101/2022.11.21.517430 medRxiv
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Bacterial gene expression is highly regulated to allow cells to grow and adapt. Much regulation occurs during transcription elongation, where RNA polymerase (RNAP) extends nascent RNA transcripts aided by global and universally-conserved elongation factor NusG. NusG modulates transcription by inhibiting pausing and backtracking; promoting anti-termination on ribosomal RNA (rrn) operons; coupling transcription with translation on mRNA genes; and stimulating Rho-dependent termination on toxic genes. Despite extensive work on NusG, its functional allocation and spatial distribution in vivo is unknown. Here, we addressed these long-standing questions using single-molecule tracking and super-resolution imaging of NusG in live E. coli cells. We found that, under conditions of moderate growth, NusG is mainly present as a population that associates indirectly with the chromosome via RNAP in transcription elongation complexes, and a slowly diffusing population we identified as a NusG complex with the 30S ribosomal subunit; this complex offers a "30S-guided" path for NusG to enter transcription elongation. Only ~10% of total NusG was fast-diffusing, with the mobility of this population suggesting that free NusG interacts non-specifically with DNA for >50% of the time. Using antibiotics and deletion mutants, we showed that most chromosome-associated NusG is involved in rrn anti-termination and in transcriptiontranslation coupling. NusG involvement in rrn anti-termination was mediated via its participation in phase-separated transcriptional condensates. Our work illuminates the diverse activities of a central regulator while offering a guide on how to dissect the roles of multi-functional machines using in vivo imaging.

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Structural basis of ATP-dependent high-fidelity epigenome maintenance

Wang, J.; Catania, S.; Wang, C.; de la Cruz, M. J.; Rao, B.; Madhani, H. D.; Patel, D. J.

2021-10-01 molecular biology 10.1101/2021.10.01.462825 medRxiv
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Epigenetic evolution occurs over million-year timescales in Cryptococcus neoformans and is mediated by DNMT5, the first maintenance-type cytosine methyltransferase identified in the fungal or protist kingdoms. DNMT5 requires ATP and displays exquisite hemimethyl-DNA specificity. To understand these novel properties, we solved cryo-EM structures of CnDNMT5 in three states. These studies reveal an elaborate allosteric cascade in which hemimethylated DNA first activates the SNF2 ATPase domain by a large rigid body rotation while the target cytosine partially flips out the DNA duplex. ATP binding then triggers a striking structural reconfiguration of the methyltransferase catalytic pocket that enables cofactor binding, completion of base-flipping, and catalysis. Unmethylated DNA binding fails to open cofactor pocket and subsequent ATP binding triggers its ejection to ensure fidelity. This chaperone-like, enzyme-remodeling role of the SNF2 domain illuminates how energy can be used to enable faithful epigenetic memory. HighlightsO_LIStructures of DNMT5 reveal mechanism of ATP-dependent DNA methylation C_LIO_LIHemimethylated CpG recognition triggers partial base flipping of the target cytosine C_LIO_LIHemimethylated DNA induces rigid body rotation to activate the SNF2 ATPase domain C_LIO_LIMTase catalytic pocket is remodeled by the SNF2 ATPase to achieve specificity C_LI

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Cohesin collisions maintain ordered nucleosome architecture at boundaries and promoters

Raviram, R.; Jiang, G.; Schippke, T.; Cova, G.; Skok, J.

2026-05-23 molecular biology 10.64898/2026.05.22.727261 medRxiv
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Cohesin is best known for its role in loop extrusion, while nucleosome phasing at regulatory elements is usually attributed to local DNA-bound factors and remodelers. Here we identify a previously unrecognized role for cohesin-mediated extrusion in maintaining local nucleosome architecture at CTCF sites and transcription start sites. Using single-molecule nano-NOMe-seq during SCC1 depletion, cell-cycle progression and Sororin perturbation, we show that CTCF-bound sites contain distinct nucleosome architectures ranging from ordered CTCF-footprinted arrays to footprint-free nucleosomal and inaccessible configurations.. In unperturbed cells, ordered CTCF-footprinted nucleosome arrays were strongest at a boundary-enriched class of CTCF sites without regulatory elements. By contrast, CTCF sites overlapping regulatory elements showed stronger aggregate CTCF ChIP-seq signal despite weaker footprinting and less regular nucleosome phasing, indicating that boundary-like nucleosome architecture is not predicted by CTCF occupancy alone. At TSSs, promoter-proximal CTCF defined a distinct state balance: CTCF-positive promoters were enriched for accessible and footprinted configurations, whereas CTCF-negative promoters showed proportionately fewer footprinted states and were dominated by footprint-free phased arrays. Acute SCC1 depletion disrupted nucleosome organization at CTCF sites without regulatory elements and at promoters with promoter-proximal CTCF, despite retention of aggregate CTCF ChIP-seq signal at CTCF-bound sites. SCC1 depletion also altered nucleosome organization at promoters lacking promoter-proximal CTCF, highlighting that cohesin-dependent nucleosome patterning is not simply a CTCF-barrier phenomenon. Cell-cycle and Sororin analyses further separated extrusion-associated states from Sororin-stabilized post-replicative cohesin, highlighting that nucleosome order depends on effective cohesin-barrier encounters rather than cohesin occupancy alone. Together, these findings establish cohesin collisions as an active local mechanism that patterns nucleosomes at boundaries and promoters.

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Strand-independent degradation of uncoupled forks by EXO1 activates ATR and restrains synthesis

Grogan, E. J.; Ozua, O. E.; Kavlashvili, T.; Conwell, S. C.; Dewar, J. M.

2026-03-25 biochemistry 10.64898/2026.03.22.666038 medRxiv
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The degradation of nascent DNA at stalled replication forks is critical for genome integrity, yet the specific mechanisms of degradation at uncoupled forks and the resulting functional consequences remain poorly understood. We induced site-specific replication fork uncoupling using Xenopus egg extracts in order to examine how degradation affected the different DNA structures formed, compare degradation of leading and lagging strands, and interrogate the resulting functional consequences. We found that EXO1 is critically important for degradation of uncoupled forks, independent of any degradation at reversed forks. Lagging strands are rapidly degraded from their native 5 end by EXO1, while the nascent leading strand 3 end is not detectably degraded. Sequences distal to the leading 3 end are also degraded by EXO1 due to degradation arising from the lagging strand of the diverging sister fork. Importantly, impaired leading strand degradation does not impact lagging strand degradation at the same locus, indicating that degradation of the two strands is independent. Degradation by EXO1 has two major functional consequences: it is required to generate the signal that activates the ATR checkpoint at uncoupled forks; and it restrains fork progression. Overall, our results show that replication fork uncoupling causes degradation of 5 ends that is crucial for ATR signaling and fork slowing, while 3 ends are highly stable.

20
Long-range mRNA folding shapes expression and sequence of bacterial genes

Gill, M. S.; Kim, I. A.; Xue, J. R.; Thappeta, Y.; Taggart, J. C.; Li, G.-W.

2025-11-27 molecular biology 10.1101/2025.11.27.690947 medRxiv
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Accessibility of the ribosome binding site (RBS) plays an outsized role in bacterial mRNA decay and translation. Antagonistic mRNA sequences that reduce accessibility and regulate expression have been widely documented near the RBS. To determine whether such sequences are also the primary effectors of expression when placed far from the RBS, we measured impacts of all possible 8-nucleotide substitutions (65,536 variants) at different positions in mRNA in Bacillus subtilis. While the vast majority of substitutions negligibly affect RNA levels, pyrimidine-rich substitutions resembling the anti-Shine-Dalgarno (aSD) sequence exhibit strong inhibitory effects. Even several hundred nucleotides downstream of the RBS, these aSD-like sequences base-pair with the RBS, promote RNA decay, and inhibit translation initiation. We find aSD-like sequences to be depleted throughout endogenous genes, likely due to selective pressure for expression. Taken together, our findings reveal widespread long-range RNA intramolecular interactions in vivo and uncover a key constraint on gene sequence evolution. HIGHLIGHTSO_LILong-range mRNA folding tunes accessibility of the ribosome binding site (RBS) C_LIO_LIShort anti-RBS sequences are major mRNA repressors across the transcript body C_LIO_LIAnti-RBSs, even distally located, can promote RNA decay and inhibit translation C_LIO_LIAnti-RBS sequences are depleted throughout endogenous bacterial coding sequences C_LI