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Cited by 1Genomics and Chromatin DynamicsChromosomal and Genetic VariationsNuclear Structure and Function

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Transposon targeting non-coding RNA transcription targets G/C-rich tracts and is facilitated by an intrinsically disordered protein in Tetrahymena

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Cai, Xia, Liu, Yike, Li, Jialuo, Zhao, Zhuoran, Yao, Xinyu, Zhai, Zhihao, Liucong, Mingmei, Liu, Yujie, Wang, Xue, Mochizuki, Kazufumi, Tian, Miao·2026·Science China Life Sciences
DOI 10.1007/s11427-025-3103-x

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Abstract

Tetrahymena is a well-established ciliate model organism, known for its nuclear dualism and unique mechanism for transposon defense, wherein transposons are kept within the highly heterochromatinized micronucleus (MIC), which is transcriptionally inert except during meiosis. The discovery of preferential transcription in the meiotic MIC at regions enriched with transposons and the identification of MIC transcription regulatory proteins emphasize the necessity to elucidate the underlying mechanisms driving this process. In this study, we demonstrate that G/C-rich tracts are overrepresented in meiotic non-coding RNA (ncRNA) transcription regions and that RNA polymerase II (Pol II) is highly enriched at and around these tracts. Further analysis revealed that Pol II's association with G/C-rich tracts is not abolished in cells lacking Rib1, a Mediator complex-associated protein essential for MIC ncRNA biogenesis. Nevertheless, in the absence of Rib1, Pol II showed abnormal association with the meiotic MIC chromatin, suggesting that Rib1 is critical for maintaining Pol II's binding specificity. Through Rib1 truncation analysis, we found that the intrinsically disordered region, which contains putative phase-separating peptides, is crucial for its function. Disruption of phase-separation, either by deleting these peptides or by treating cells with a phase-separation disruption reagent, leads to aberrant localization of both Rib1 and Pol II on the MIC chromatin, implicating that Rib1 likely facilitates the MIC ncRNA transcription via phase-separation.

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Metadata

Authors
Cai, X., Liu, Y., Li, J., Zhao, Z., Yao, X., Zhai, Z., Liucong, M., Liu, Y., Wang, X., Mochizuki, K., & Tian, M.
Affiliations
  • Ocean University of China (CN)
  • Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
Corresponding author
Tian, Miao
ORCID
Venue
Science China Life Sciences
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2026-02-26
Volume
69
Issue
7
Pages
2156-2172
ISSN
  • 1674-7305 (ISSN-L)
  • 1869-1889
DOI
10.1007/s11427-025-3103-x
OpenAlex
W7133187627
Cited by
1
References
6
Citations by year
2026: 1
FWCI
2.09
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Science China Life Sciences (publishedVersion)
  • bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (acceptedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • HAL (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • European Commission (HORIZON2020, 101024333)
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (32370451)
  • Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (ZR2022JQ13)
  • Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (202241003)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Nuclear Structure and Function
Keywords
Tetrahymena, micronuclei, transposon defense, RNA polymerase II, Mediator complex, intrinsically disordered proteins, phase separation, meiosis, heterochromatin, transcriptional regulation
MeSH terms
DNA Transposable Elements, Heterochromatin, Meiosis, RNA Polymerase II, Tetrahymena, Transcription, Genetic, Protozoan Proteins, RNA, Untranslated

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