Poised RNA Polymerase II Changes over Developmental Time and Prepares Genes for Future Expression

SummaryPoised RNA polymerase II (Pol II) is predominantly found at developmental control genes and is thought to allow their rapid and synchronous induction in response to extracellular signals. How the recruitment of poised RNA Pol II is regulated during development is not known. By isolating muscle tissue from Drosophila embryos at five stages of differentiation, we show that the recruitment of poised Pol II occurs at many genes de novo and this makes them permissive for future gene expression. A comparison with other tissues shows that these changes are stage specific and not tissue specific. In contrast, Polycomb group repression is tissue specific, and in combination with Pol II (the balanced state) marks genes with highly dynamic expression. This suggests that poised Pol II is temporally regulated and is held in check in a tissue-specific fashion. We compare our data with findings in mammalian embryonic stem cells and discuss a framework for predicting developmental programs on the basis of the chromatin state.

Graphical AbstractFigure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Recruitment of poised Pol II is regulated during Drosophila embryogenesis
► Poised Pol II precedes stage-specific gene expression
► The balanced state marks highly dynamic genes
► The role of poised Pol II and the balanced state is conserved in mammalian development