Alternative polyadenylation regulates mitochondrial sod2 during yeast quiescence transitions
Researchers mapped dynamic changes in transcript untranslated regions during quiescence in fission yeast, identifying an RNA-processing pathway that controls mitochondrial maintenance.
bioRxiv · Deng X et al. · Paper published 28 Sep 2026
In a new preprint, researchers mapped alternative polyadenylation dynamics across 15 time points of quiescence transitions in fission yeast. Using 3'-end RNA sequencing, the team tracked post-transcriptional remodeling as cells entered, maintained, and exited quiescence. They observed global 3' untranslated region lengthening during early entry, shortening upon quiescence establishment, and a return to baseline lengths during quiescence exit. By pairing these dynamics with expression analysis, they found that the mitochondrial superoxide dismutase gene sod2 autoregulates its mRNA and protein levels through alternative polyadenylation. Disrupting the proximal polyadenylation site of sod2 in a mitophagy-deficient background worsened mitochondrial dysfunction and quiescence maintenance defects. The authors further identified Pabp as an upstream regulator driving this sod2 control axis.
Why it matters
Mitochondrial integrity and the ability to maintain cellular quiescence are critical components of cellular survival and tissue longevity. Defining how post-transcriptional mechanisms protect non-dividing cells clarifies how biological systems preserve function over prolonged dormant periods.
Caveats
This work was performed exclusively in fission yeast and has not yet undergone peer review. Whether a similar alternative polyadenylation mechanism regulates mitochondrial protection during quiescence in multicellular organisms remains to be shown.
Written from the paper’s abstract, and every claim checked against it before publishing. Read the paper for the full methods and data.
The paper
Unraveling APA dynamics during quiescence transitions reveals Pabp modulation of sod2 expression via APA to regulate cellular quiescence
Deng X, Zhang L, Du Z et al.
bioRxiv · 28 Sep 2026 · Preprint, not yet peer-reviewed
- Relevance
- Relevant
- News value
- Notable
- Evidence
- Model organisms
- Status
- Preprint
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