{"title":"Sen1: The Varied Virtues of a Multifaceted Helicase.","authors":"Umberto Aiello, Odil Porrua, Domenico Libri","doi":"10.1016/j.jmb.2024.168808","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Several machineries concurrently work on the DNA, but among them RNA Polymerases (RNAPs) are the most widespread and active users. The homeostasis of such a busy genomic environment relies on the existence of mechanisms that allow limiting transcription to a functional level, both in terms of extent and rate. Sen1 is a central player in this sense: using its translocase activity this protein has evolved the specific function of dislodging RNAPs from the DNA template, thus ending the transcription cycle. Over the years, studies have shown that Sen1 uses this same mechanism in a multitude of situations, allowing termination of all three eukaryotic RNAPs in different contexts. In virtue of its helicase activity, Sen1 has also been proposed to have a prominent function in the resolution of co-transcriptional genotoxic R-loops, which can cause the stalling of replication forks. In this review, we provide a synopsis of past and recent findings on the functions of Sen1 in yeast and of its human homologue Senataxin (SETX).</p>","PeriodicalId":369,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Molecular Biology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.7000,"publicationDate":"2024-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Molecular Biology","FirstCategoryId":"99","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmb.2024.168808","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Several machineries concurrently work on the DNA, but among them RNA Polymerases (RNAPs) are the most widespread and active users. The homeostasis of such a busy genomic environment relies on the existence of mechanisms that allow limiting transcription to a functional level, both in terms of extent and rate. Sen1 is a central player in this sense: using its translocase activity this protein has evolved the specific function of dislodging RNAPs from the DNA template, thus ending the transcription cycle. Over the years, studies have shown that Sen1 uses this same mechanism in a multitude of situations, allowing termination of all three eukaryotic RNAPs in different contexts. In virtue of its helicase activity, Sen1 has also been proposed to have a prominent function in the resolution of co-transcriptional genotoxic R-loops, which can cause the stalling of replication forks. In this review, we provide a synopsis of past and recent findings on the functions of Sen1 in yeast and of its human homologue Senataxin (SETX).
期刊介绍:
Journal of Molecular Biology (JMB) provides high quality, comprehensive and broad coverage in all areas of molecular biology. The journal publishes original scientific research papers that provide mechanistic and functional insights and report a significant advance to the field. The journal encourages the submission of multidisciplinary studies that use complementary experimental and computational approaches to address challenging biological questions.
Research areas include but are not limited to: Biomolecular interactions, signaling networks, systems biology; Cell cycle, cell growth, cell differentiation; Cell death, autophagy; Cell signaling and regulation; Chemical biology; Computational biology, in combination with experimental studies; DNA replication, repair, and recombination; Development, regenerative biology, mechanistic and functional studies of stem cells; Epigenetics, chromatin structure and function; Gene expression; Membrane processes, cell surface proteins and cell-cell interactions; Methodological advances, both experimental and theoretical, including databases; Microbiology, virology, and interactions with the host or environment; Microbiota mechanistic and functional studies; Nuclear organization; Post-translational modifications, proteomics; Processing and function of biologically important macromolecules and complexes; Molecular basis of disease; RNA processing, structure and functions of non-coding RNAs, transcription; Sorting, spatiotemporal organization, trafficking; Structural biology; Synthetic biology; Translation, protein folding, chaperones, protein degradation and quality control.