Abstract
The characterization of distinct subnuclear domains suggests a dynamic nuclear framework supporting gene expression and DNA replication. Here, we show that the glutamic acid/arginine-rich domain protein YT521-B localizes to a novel subnuclear structure, the YT bodies. YT bodies are dynamic compartments, which first appear at the beginning of S-phase in the cell cycle and disperse during mitosis. Furthermore, in untreated cells of the human cell line MCF7 they were undetectable and appeared only after drug-induced differentiation. YT bodies contain transcriptionally active sites and are in close contact to other subnuclear structures such as speckles and coiled bodies. YT bodies disperse upon actinomycin D treatment, whereas other transcriptional inhibitors such as α-amanitin or DRB have little effect. On the basis of our experiments, we propose that YT521-B may participate in the assembly of genes into transcription centers, thereby allowing efficient regulation of gene expression.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 949-961 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Journal of Cell Biology |
Volume | 150 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 4 2000 |
Keywords
- Actinomycin D
- Cell cycle
- MCF7 differentiation
- Subnuclear compartments
- Transcription
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cell Biology