ATR inhibition affects RNA Polymerase II transcription during S-phase

Concurrently, conflicts between the two processes increase genome instability levels. Evidence in the literature indicate that transcription and replication can however coexist, suggesting the requirement for cellular mechanisms to avoid reciprocal interference.

To identify factors important in this regulatory process, we performed a screening of known DNA damage response proteins. Among the factors assessed, we found that specifically inhibition of ATR affected cells’ ability to replicate long transcribed genes, impacting also on cells’ ability to transcribe these genes. However, ATR activity was also required later during S-phase the control transcription activity on all genes.