Chromatin remodeling by antisense Pol II primes efficient Pol III transcription

The packaging of the genetic material into chromatin imposes the remodeling of this barrier to allow efficient transcription. RNA polymerase II activity is associated with several histone modification complexes that enforce remodeling. How RNA polymerase III (Pol III) counteracts the inhibitory effect of chromatin is unknown. We report here that antisense RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) transcription is critical to prime and maintain nucleosome depletion at Pol III loci and allow efficient Pol III recruitment upon re-initiation of growth from stationary phase. Antisense Pol II is recruited by the Pcr1 transcription factor, which affects local histone occupancy through the associated SAGA complex and a Pol II phospho-S2 CTD / Mst2 pathway. These data expand the central role of Pol II in gene expression beyond mRNA synthesis. Overall design: Gene expression and Pol III (Rpc1-TAP) occupancy in wild-type and Rpb1 CTD S2A mutant.