Spatial integration of transcription and splicing in a dedicated compartment sustains monogenic antigen expression
Our new manuscript has been published by Nature Microbiology.
11.01.2021
Together with the David Horn lab (University of Dundee), we observed that in trypanosomes the single expressed antigen coding gene displays a specific inter-chromosomal interaction with a major mRNA splicing locus. Chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) revealed a dynamic reconfiguration of this inter-chromosomal interaction upon activation of another antigen. Using super-resolution microscopy we were able to show the interaction to be heritable and splicing dependent.
Our results reveal a novel mechanism to ensure monogenic expression, requiring the spatial integration of antigen transcription and mRNA splicing in a dedicated compartment. These findings suggest a new means of post-transcriptional gene regulation.
Faria J#, Luzak V#, Müller LSM, Brink BG, Hutchinson S, Glover L, Horn D*, Siegel TN* (2021)
Spatial integration of transcription and splicing in a dedicated compartment sustains monogenic antigen expression in African trypanosomes.
Nature Microbiology 6: 289-300 doi: 10.1038/s41564-020-00833-4
#equal contribution
* corresponding authors
members of the Siegel lab are listed in bold