Transcription bodies regulate gene expression by sequestering CDK9.

The localization of transcriptional activity in specialized transcription bodies is a hallmark of gene expression in eukaryotic cells. It remains unclear, however, if and how transcription bodies affect gene expression. Here we disrupted the formation of two prominent endogenous transcription bodies that mark the onset of zygotic transcription in zebrafish embryos and analysed the effect on gene expression using enriched SLAM-seq and live-cell imaging.

Regulation of replicative histone RNA metabolism by the histone chaperone ASF1.

In S phase, duplicating and assembling the whole genome into chromatin requires upregulation of replicative histone gene expression. Here, we explored how histone chaperones control histone production in human cells to ensure a proper link with chromatin assembly. Depletion of the ASF1 chaperone specifically decreases the pool of replicative histones both at the protein and RNA levels.

A mechanism for epigenetic control of DNA replication.

DNA replication origins in hyperacetylated euchromatin fire preferentially during early S phase. However, how acetylation controls DNA replication timing is unknown. TICRR/TRESLIN is an essential protein required for the initiation of DNA replication.