A CSB-PAF1C axis restores processive transcription elongation after DNA damage repair

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21520-w
• Publication Date: 2021-02-26T11:03:35Z
• Authors: Diana van den Heuvel; Cornelia G. Spruijt; Román González-Pr...; Angela Kragten; Michelle T. Paulsen; Di Zhou; Haoyu Wu; Katja Apelt; Yana van der Weegen; Kevin Yang; Madelon Dijk; Lucia Daxinger; Jurgen A. Marteijn; Alfred C. O. Vert...; Mats Ljungman; Michiel Vermeulen; Martijn S. Luijst...
• Keywords: Transcription; RNA polymerase II; Processivity

Abstract Bulky DNA lesions in transcribed strands block RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) elongation and induce a genome-wide transcriptional arrest. The transcription-coupled repair (TCR) pathway efficiently removes transcription-blocking lesions, but how transcription is restored the genome following remains unresolved. Here, we find that TCR-specific CSB protein loads PAF1 complex (PAF1C) onto RNAPII promoter-proximal regions response to damage. Although dispensable for TCR-mediated repair, PAF1C essential recovery after UV irradiation. We promotes pause release subsequently acts as processivity factor stimulates throughout genes. Our findings expose molecular basis non-canonical PAF1C-dependent restores human genotoxic stress.