RNA-seq analysis of apoptotic HCT116 cells shows widespread mRNA decay and limited noncoding RNA decay.

Rapid and widespread mRNA decay is a previously unappreciated feature of apoptosis. Previous work showed that apoptotic mRNA decay depends on mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) and the RNA-processing enzymes, TUT4, TUT7, and DIS3L2. Which RNAs are decayed, however, was not known. Here we present RNA-seq data of TRAIL-induced apoptosis in HCT116 cells showing global decay of mRNAs as well as polyadenylated noncoding RNAs, beginning at the 3’-end. HCT116 cells were treated or untreated with 100ng/ml TRAIL for 2 hrs. Total RNA was then isolated and depleted for rRNA with Ribo-Zero.