Regulation of rRNA genes

Transcription of…

rRNA genes is a highly regulated event that responds to multiple signals including cellular stress, nutrient availability, growth factors among others. In growing cells rRNA transcription represents ~ 60-70% of total cellular transcription. Thus, transcription of rRNA genes directly correlates with the cell capacity to grow. Multiple transcription factors orchestrate the recruitment and recycling of DNA polymerase I , among them, the Transcription Termination factor I (TTFI) is critical in both initiation and termination of transcription. Projects in our lab aimed at understanding the molecular mechanisms of TTF-I and its homolog Reb1 in the epigenetic regulation of rRNA genes.