Transcriptional activation of candidate paused genes after partial hepatectomy.

ABSTRACT

Partial hepatectomy is a model of acute liver injury that is known to induce a strong reprogrammation of gene expression. Transcriptional induction of Immediate Early Genes is extremely fast and this would be due to the release of RNA Polymerase II poised for elongation at 'paused' genes. Using bioinformatic analysis, we identified 23 genes sharing features of paused genes before hepatectomy, and with predicted quick and strong expression induction after. This transcriptional dynamic, confirmed by RT-qPCR for Jun , Fos , Btg2, is very precocious. RNA Pol II CTD Ser2 hyperphosphorylation indicates a switch to productive elongation and release from transcriptional pause.