Transcriptome analysis of HeLa cells upon deprivation of methionine and cysteine (Met/Cys). Transcriptome analysis of HeLa cells upon deprivation of methionine and cysteine (Met/Cys)

We have previously shown that deprivation of essential amino acids, namely methionine/cysteine or tyrosine, leads to the transcriptional reactivation of integrated silenced transgenes, and latent HIV-1 provirus. In an effort to understand the underlying mechanisms, here we investigate the overall transcriptional profile of HeLa cells upon Met/Cys starvation for different time points, including the expression of repeated and transposable elements. HeLa cells carrying a stably integrated and silenced plasmid expressing the OA1/GPR143 gene (pcDNA3.1-OA1) were cultured in regular DMEM medium for 6-30-120 hours, or in absence of Met/Cys for 6-15-30-72-120 hours, and the changes in the expression of genes and repeated elements was evaluated by RNAseq