Influence of cell volume on the gene transcription rate.

Cells vary in volume throughout their life cycle and in many other circumstances, while their genome remains identical. Hence, the RNA production factory must adapt to changing needs, while maintaining the same production lines. This paradox is resolved by different mechanisms in distinct cells and circumstances.

High levels of histones promote whole-genome-duplications and trigger a Swe1-dependent phosphorylation of Cdc28.

Whole-genome duplications (WGDs) have played a central role in the evolution of genomes and constitute an important source of genome instability in cancer. Here, we show in that abnormal accumulations of histones are sufficient to induce WGDs. Our results link these WGDs to a reduced incorporation of the histone variant H2A.

TFIIS is required for the balanced expression of the genes encoding ribosomal components under transcriptional stress.

Transcription factor IIS (TFIIS) stimulates RNA cleavage by RNA polymerase II by allowing backtracked enzymes to resume transcription elongation. Yeast cells do not require TFIIS for viability, unless they suffer severe transcriptional stress due to NTP-depleting drugs like 6-azauracil or mycophenolic acid. In order to broaden our knowledge on the role of TFIIS under transcriptional stress, we carried out a genetic screening for suppressors of TFIIS-lacking cells' sensitivity to 6-azauracil and mycophenolic acid.