Regulation of human histone gene expression: transcriptional and posttranscriptional control in the coupling of histone messenger RNA stability with DNA replication

Journal Article · Tue Sep 22 00:00:00 EDT 1987 · Biochemistry; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/bi00393a034· OSTI ID:5640016

Baumbach, L L; Stein, G S; Stein, J L

The extent to which transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation contributes to the coupling of histone gene expression and DNA replication was examined during the cell cycle in synchronized HeLa S3 cells. Rates of transcription were determined in vitro in isolated nuclei. A 3-5-fold increase in cell cycle dependent histone gene transcription was observed in early S phase, prior to the peak of DNA synthesis. This result is consistent with a previous determination of histone mRNA synthesis in intact cells. The transcription of these genes did not change appreciably after inhibition of DNA replication by hydroxyurea treatment, although Northern blot analysis indicated that cellular levels of histone mRNA decreased rapidly in the presence of the drug. Total cellular levels of histone mRNA closely parallel the rate of DNA synthesis as a function of cell cycle progression, reaching a maximal 20-fold increase as compared with non S phase levels. This DNA synthesis dependent accumulation of histone mRNA occurs predominantly in the cytoplasm and appears to be mediated primarily by control of histone mRNA stability. Changes in nuclear histone mRNA levels were less pronounced. These combined observations suggest that both transcriptional regulation and posttranscriptional regulation contribute toward control of the cell cycle dependent accumulation of histone mRNA during S phase, while the stability of histone mRNA throughout S phase and the selective turnover of histone mRNAs, either at the natural termination of S phase or following inhibition of DNA synthesis, are posttranscriptionally regulated.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville
• OSTI ID: 5640016
• Journal Information: Biochemistry; (United States), Vol. 26:19
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
DNA REPLICATION
BIOCHEMISTRY
HISTONES
GENE REGULATION
TRANSCRIPTION
CELL CYCLE
GENES
HELA CELLS
MESSENGER-RNA
SYNCHRONOUS CULTURES
CELL CULTURES
CHEMISTRY
NUCLEIC ACID REPLICATION
NUCLEIC ACIDS
NUCLEOPROTEINS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PROTEINS
RNA
550201* - Biochemistry- Tracer Techniques