scholarly journals The relationship between the activity of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase I and the rate of synthesis of rRNA in hepatoma cells in culture

1981 ◽  
Vol 194 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
E A Thompson ◽  
R H Keith ◽  
A H Cavanaugh ◽  
K M Wood

Cell culture lines were established from the transplantable mouse hepatomas H6 and H129. Both cell lines had a doubling time about 30 h when maintained in medium containing 5% foetal bovine serum. H6 cells contained about 3-4 times more DNA-dependent RNA polymerase I (Pol I; ribonucleoside triphosphate–RNA nucleotidyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.6) than did H129 cells. Moreover, the H6-cell enzyme was more heat-labile than that from H129 cells. Steady-state contents of 28S rRNA were measured in both cell lines. Exponentially growing cultures of H6 cells contained about 6.5pg of 28S rRNA/cell, and similar cultures of H129 cells contained about 5.8pg/cell. Stationary cultures of both cell lines contained about 2pg of 28S rRNA/cell. By two different techniques, the half-time for turnover of 28S rRNA was estimated to be 16-17h for both H6 and H129 cells. Knowing the turnover rate and the steady-state concentration, one may calculate that both H6 and H129 cells synthesize 28S rRNA at a rate of about 0.25 pg/h per cell. The amount of template-bound Pol I activity was similar in nuclei isolated from H6 and H129 cell cultures. These data indicate that, although H6 cells contained 3-4 times more Pol I than did H129 cells, both cell lines synthesized rRNA at about the same rate.

1998 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 665-675 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsiu-Jung Lo ◽  
Han-Kuei Huang ◽  
Thomas F. Donahue

ABSTRACT The HIS4 gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiaewas put under the transcriptional control of RNA polymerase I to determine the in vivo consequences on mRNA processing and gene expression. This gene, referred to as rhis4, was substituted for the normal HIS4 gene on chromosome III. Therhis4 gene transcribes two mRNAs, of which each initiates at the polymerase (pol) I transcription initiation site. One transcript, rhis4s, is similar in size to the wild-typeHIS4 mRNA. Its 3′ end maps to the HIS4 3′ noncoding region, and it is polyadenylated. The second transcript,rhis4l, is bicistronic. It encodes the HIS4coding region and a second open reading frame, YCL184, that is located downstream of the HIS4 gene and is predicted to be transcribed in the same direction as HIS4 on chromosome III. The 3′ end of rhis4l maps to the predicted 3′ end of the YCL184 gene and is also polyadenylated. Based on in vivo labeling experiments, the rhis4 gene appears to be more actively transcribed than the wild-type HIS4 gene despite the near equivalence of the steady-state levels of mRNAs produced from each gene. This finding indicated that rhis4mRNAs are rapidly degraded, presumably due to the lack of a cap structure at the 5′ end of the mRNA. Consistent with this interpretation, a mutant form of XRN1, which encodes a 5′-3′ exonuclease, was identified as an extragenic suppressor that increases the half-life of rhis4 mRNA, leading to a 10-fold increase in steady-state mRNA levels compared to the wild-typeHIS4 mRNA level. This increase is dependent on pol I transcription. Immunoprecipitation by anticap antiserum suggests that the majority of rhis4 mRNA produced is capless. In addition, we quantitated the level of His4 protein in a rhis4 xrn1Δ genetic background. This analysis indicates that capless mRNA is translated at less than 10% of the level of translation of capped HIS4 mRNA. Our data indicate that polyadenylation of mRNA in yeast occurs despite HIS4 being transcribed by RNA polymerase I, and the 5′ cap confers stability to mRNA and affords the ability of mRNA to be translated efficiently in vivo.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 1917-1927
Author(s):  
Bruce A. Knutson ◽  
Rachel McNamar ◽  
Lawrence I. Rothblum

RNA polymerase I (Pol I) is the most specialized eukaryotic Pol. It is only responsible for the synthesis of pre-ribosomal RNA (rRNA), the precursor of 18S, 5.8S and 28S rRNA, the most abundant cellular RNA types. Aberrant Pol I transcription is observed in a wide variety of cancers and its down-regulation is associated with several genetic disorders. The regulation and mechanism of Pol I transcription is increasing in clarity given the numerous high-resolution Pol I structures that have helped bridge seminal genetic and biochemical findings in the field. Here, we review the multifunctional roles of an important TFIIF- and TFIIE-like subcomplex composed of the Pol I subunits A34.5 and A49 in yeast, and PAF49 and PAF53 in mammals. Recent analyses have revealed a dynamic interplay between this subcomplex at nearly every step of the Pol I transcription cycle in addition to new roles in chromatin traversal and the existence of a new helix-turn-helix (HTH) within the A49/PAF53 linker domain that expands its dynamic functions during the Pol I transcription process.


2006 ◽  
Vol 26 (14) ◽  
pp. 5436-5448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kostya I. Panov ◽  
Tatiana B. Panova ◽  
Olivier Gadal ◽  
Kaori Nishiyama ◽  
Takashi Saito ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Eukaryotic RNA polymerases are large complexes, 12 subunits of which are structurally or functionally homologous across the three polymerase classes. Each class has a set of specific subunits, likely targets of their cognate transcription factors. We have identified and characterized a human RNA polymerase I (Pol I)-specific subunit, previously identified as ASE-1 (antisense of ERCC1) and as CD3ε-associated signal transducer (CAST), and here termed CAST or human Pol I-associated factor of 49 kDa (hPAF49), after mouse orthologue PAF49. We provide evidence for growth-regulated Tyr phosphorylation of CAST/hPAF49, specifically in initiation-competent Pol Iβ complexes in HeLa cells, at a conserved residue also known to be important for signaling during T-cell activation. CAST/hPAF49 can interact with activator upstream binding factor (UBF) and, weakly, with selectivity factor 1 (SL1) at the rDNA (ribosomal DNA repeat sequence encoding the 18S, 5.8S, and 28S rRNA genes) promoter. CAST/hPAF49-specific antibodies and excess CAST/hPAF49 protein, which have no effect on basal Pol I transcription, inhibit UBF-activated transcription following functional SL1-Pol I-rDNA complex assembly and disrupt the interaction of UBF with CAST/hPAF49, suggesting that interaction of this Pol I-specific subunit with UBF is crucial for activation. Drawing on parallels between mammalian and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pol I transcription machineries, we advance one model for CAST/hPAF49 function in which the network of interactions of Pol I-specific subunits with UBF facilitates conformational changes of the polymerase, leading to stabilization of the Pol I-template complex and, thereby, activation of transcription.


2010 ◽  
Vol 84 (11) ◽  
pp. 5824-5835 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takahiro Masaki ◽  
Ryosuke Suzuki ◽  
Mohsan Saeed ◽  
Ken-ichi Mori ◽  
Mami Matsuda ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT In this study, we used an RNA polymerase I (Pol I) transcription system for development of a reverse genetics protocol to produce hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is an uncapped positive-strand RNA virus. Transfection with a plasmid harboring HCV JFH-1 full-length cDNA flanked by a Pol I promoter and Pol I terminator yielded an unspliced RNA with no additional sequences at either end, resulting in efficient RNA replication within the cytoplasm and subsequent production of infectious virions. Using this technology, we developed a simple replicon trans-packaging system, in which transient transfection of two plasmids enables examination of viral genome replication and virion assembly as two separate steps. In addition, we established a stable cell line that constitutively produces HCV with a low mutation frequency of the viral genome. The effects of inhibitors of N-linked glycosylation on HCV production were evaluated using this cell line, and the results suggest that certain step(s), such as virion assembly, intracellular trafficking, and secretion, are potentially up- and downregulated according to modifications of HCV envelope protein glycans. This Pol I-based HCV expression system will be beneficial for a high-throughput antiviral screening and vaccine discovery programs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 295 (15) ◽  
pp. 4782-4795 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philipp E. Merkl ◽  
Michael Pilsl ◽  
Tobias Fremter ◽  
Katrin Schwank ◽  
Christoph Engel ◽  
...  

RNA polymerase I (Pol I) is a highly efficient enzyme specialized in synthesizing most ribosomal RNAs. After nucleosome deposition at each round of rDNA replication, the Pol I transcription machinery has to deal with nucleosomal barriers. It has been suggested that Pol I–associated factors facilitate chromatin transcription, but it is unknown whether Pol I has an intrinsic capacity to transcribe through nucleosomes. Here, we used in vitro transcription assays to study purified WT and mutant Pol I variants from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and compare their abilities to pass a nucleosomal barrier with those of yeast Pol II and Pol III. Under identical conditions, purified Pol I and Pol III, but not Pol II, could transcribe nucleosomal templates. Pol I mutants lacking either the heterodimeric subunit Rpa34.5/Rpa49 or the C-terminal part of the specific subunit Rpa12.2 showed a lower processivity on naked DNA templates, which was even more reduced in the presence of a nucleosome. Our findings suggest that the lobe-binding subunits Rpa34.5/Rpa49 and Rpa12.2 facilitate passage through nucleosomes, suggesting possible cooperation among these subunits. We discuss the contribution of Pol I–specific subunit domains to efficient Pol I passage through nucleosomes in the context of transcription rate and processivity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (13) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce A. Knutson ◽  
Marissa L. Smith ◽  
Alana E. Belkevich ◽  
Aula M. Fakhouri

ABSTRACT Upstream activation factor (UAF) is a multifunctional transcription factor in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that plays dual roles in activating RNA polymerase I (Pol I) transcription and repression of Pol II. For Pol I, UAF binds to a specific upstream element in the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) promoter and interacts with two other Pol I initiation factors, the TATA-binding protein (TBP) and core factor (CF). We used an integrated combination of chemical cross-linking mass spectrometry (CXMS), molecular genetics, protein biochemistry, and structural modeling to understand the topological framework responsible for UAF complex formation. Here, we report the molecular topology of the UAF complex, describe new structural and functional domains that play roles in UAF complex integrity, assembly, and biological function, and provide roles for previously identified UAF domains that include the Rrn5 SANT and histone fold domains. We highlight the role of new domains in Uaf30 that include an N-terminal winged helix domain and a disordered tethering domain as well as a BORCS6-like domain found in Rrn9. Together, our results reveal a unique network of topological features that coalesce around a histone tetramer-like core to form the dual-function UAF complex.


2001 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 2292-2297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imran Siddiqi ◽  
John Keener ◽  
Loan Vu ◽  
Masayasu Nomura

ABSTRACT Initiation of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) transcription by RNA polymerase I (Pol I) in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae involves upstream activation factor (UAF), core factor, the TATA binding protein (TBP), and Rrn3p in addition to Pol I. We found previously that yeast strains carrying deletions in the UAF component RRN9switch completely to the use of Pol II for rRNA transcription, with no residual Pol I transcription. These polymerase-switched strains initially grow very slowly, but subsequent expansion in the number of rDNA repeats on chromosome XII leads to better growth. Recently, it was reported that TBP overexpression could bypass the requirement of UAF for Pol I transcription in vivo, producing nearly wild-type levels of growth in UAF mutant strains (P. Aprikian, B. Moorefield, and R. H. Reeder, Mol. Cell. Biol. 20:5269–5275, 2000). Here, we demonstrate that deletions in the UAF component RRN5,RRN9, or RRN10 lead to Pol II transcription of rDNA. TBP overexpression does not suppress UAF mutation, and these strains continue to use Pol II for rRNA transcription. We do not find evidence for even low levels of Pol I transcription in UAF mutant strains carrying overexpressed TBP. In diploid strains lacking both copies of the UAF componentRRN9, Pol II transcription of rDNA is more strongly repressed than in haploid strains but TBP overexpression still fails to activate Pol I. These results emphasize that UAF plays an essential role in activation of Pol I transcription and silencing of Pol II transcription of rDNA and that TBP functions to recruit the Pol I machinery in a manner completely dependent on UAF.


2006 ◽  
Vol 73 ◽  
pp. 203-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jackie Russell ◽  
Joost C.B.M. Zomerdijk

The rRNAs constitute the catalytic and structural components of the ribosome, the protein synthesis machinery of cells. The level of rRNA synthesis, mediated by Pol I (RNA polymerase I), therefore has a major impact on the life and destiny of a cell. In order to elucidate how cells achieve the stringent control of Pol I transcription, matching the supply of rRNA to demand under different cellular growth conditions, it is essential to understand the components and mechanics of the Pol I transcription machinery. In this review, we discuss: (i) the molecular composition and functions of the Pol I enzyme complex and the two main Pol I transcription factors, SL1 (selectivity factor 1) and UBF (upstream binding factor); (ii) the interplay between these factors during pre-initiation complex formation at the rDNA promoter in mammalian cells; and (iii) the cellular control of the Pol I transcription machinery.


2005 ◽  
Vol 86 (8) ◽  
pp. 2315-2322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajeev Banerjee ◽  
Mary K. Weidman ◽  
Sonia Navarro ◽  
Lucio Comai ◽  
Asim Dasgupta

Soon after infection, poliovirus (PV) shuts off host-cell transcription, which is catalysed by all three cellular RNA polymerases. rRNA constitutes more than 50 % of all cellular RNA and is transcribed from rDNA by RNA polymerase I (pol I). Here, evidence has been provided suggesting that both pol I transcription factors, SL-1 (selectivity factor) and UBF (upstream binding factor), are modified and inactivated in PV-infected cells. The viral protease 3Cpro appeared to cleave the TATA-binding protein-associated factor 110 (TAF110), a subunit of the SL-1 complex, into four fragments in vitro. In vitro protease-cleavage assays using various mutants of TAF110 and purified 3Cpro indicated that the Q265G266 and Q805G806 sites were cleaved by 3Cpro. Both SL-1 and UBF were depleted in PV-infected cells and their disappearance correlated with pol I transcription inhibition. rRNA synthesis from a template containing a human pol I promoter demonstrated that both SL-1 and UBF were necessary to restore pol I transcription fully in PV-infected cell extracts. These results suggested that both SL-1 and UBF are transcriptionally inactivated in PV-infected HeLa cells.


1999 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 796-806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annie-Claude Albert ◽  
Michael Denton ◽  
Milko Kermekchiev ◽  
Craig S. Pikaard

ABSTRACT Mounting evidence suggests that eukaryotic RNA polymerases preassociate with multiple transcription factors in the absence of DNA, forming RNA polymerase holoenzyme complexes. We have purified an apparent RNA polymerase I (Pol I) holoenzyme from Xenopus laevis cells by sequential chromatography on five columns: DEAE-Sepharose, Biorex 70, Sephacryl S300, Mono Q, and DNA-cellulose. Single fractions from every column programmed accurate promoter-dependent transcription. Upon gel filtration chromatography, the Pol I holoenzyme elutes at a position overlapping the peak of Blue Dextran, suggesting a molecular mass in the range of ∼2 MDa. Consistent with its large mass, Coomassie blue-stained sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels reveal approximately 55 proteins in fractions purified to near homogeneity. Western blotting shows that TATA-binding protein precisely copurifies with holoenzyme activity, whereas the abundant Pol I transactivator upstream binding factor does not. Also copurifying with the holoenzyme are casein kinase II and a histone acetyltransferase activity with a substrate preference for histone H3. These results extend to Pol I the suggestion that signal transduction and chromatin-modifying activities are associated with eukaryotic RNA polymerases.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document