Cajal bodies are linked to genome conformation

Nat Commun. 2016 Mar 21:7:10966. doi: 10.1038/ncomms10966.

Abstract

The mechanisms underlying nuclear body (NB) formation and their contribution to genome function are unknown. Here we examined the non-random positioning of Cajal bodies (CBs), major NBs involved in spliceosomal snRNP assembly and their role in genome organization. CBs are predominantly located at the periphery of chromosome territories at a multi-chromosome interface. Genome-wide chromosome conformation capture analysis (4C-seq) using CB-interacting loci revealed that CB-associated regions are enriched with highly expressed histone genes and U small nuclear or nucleolar RNA (sn/snoRNA) loci that form intra- and inter-chromosomal clusters. In particular, we observed a number of CB-dependent gene-positioning events on chromosome 1. RNAi-mediated disassembly of CBs disrupts the CB-targeting gene clusters and suppresses the expression of U sn/snoRNA and histone genes. This loss of spliceosomal snRNP production results in increased splicing noise, even in CB-distal regions. Therefore, we conclude that CBs contribute to genome organization with global effects on gene expression and RNA splicing fidelity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Chromosomes, Human / genetics
  • Coiled Bodies / genetics*
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Genetic Loci
  • Genome, Human*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Histones / genetics
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation*
  • RNA Polymerase II / chemistry
  • RNA Polymerase II / metabolism
  • RNA Splicing / genetics
  • RNA, Small Nuclear / genetics
  • RNA, Small Nucleolar / genetics
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sequence Deletion
  • Spliceosomes / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Histones
  • RNA, Small Nuclear
  • RNA, Small Nucleolar
  • RNA Polymerase II