Cell-cycle dynamics of nascent transcription and mature RNA accumulation are concordant in normal fibroblasts

Abstract

Cell-cycle dynamics of gene expression are fundamental to life, yet their origin remains unclear. A prevailing model, derived from cancer cells, posits that transcription occurs in one cell cycle phase, while mature RNA accumulates in subsequent phases, suggesting temporal segregation of transcriptional regulation and RNA abundance. Whether this paradigm applies to normal human cells is unclear. Here, we co-profiled nascent transcription and mature RNAs in cycling human fibroblasts. The two dynamics were strongly concordant, with no evidence of a lag extending cell-cycle phases. Our data suggest a widespread transcription-to-maturation lag is not a general feature of human cells.