Abstract
Linear unconstrained DNA cannot harbor supercoils since these supercoils can diffuse and be eliminated by free rotation of the DNA strands at the end of the molecule. Mammalian telomeres, despite constituting the ends of linear chromosomes, can hold supercoils and be subjected to topological stress. While negative supercoiling was previously observed, thus proving the existence of telomeric topological constraints, positive supercoils were never probed due to the lack of an appropriate tool. Indeed, the few tools available currently could only investigate unwound (Trioxsalen) or overwound (GapR) DNA topology (variations in twist) but not the variations in writhe (supercoils and plectonemes). To address this question, we have designed innovative tools aimed at analyzing both positive and negative DNA writhe in cells. Using them, we could observe the build-up of positive supercoils following replication stress and inhibition of Topoisomerase 2 on telomeres. TRF2 depletion caused both telomere relaxation and an increase in positive supercoils while the inhibition of Histone Deacetylase I and II by TSA only caused telomere relaxation. Moving outside telomeres, we also observed a build-up of positive supercoils on the FRA3B fragile site following replication stress, suggesting a topological model of DNA fragility for this site.