A role for upstream binding factor in organizing ribosomal gene chromatin

2006 ◽  
Vol 73 ◽  
pp. 77-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane E. Wright ◽  
Christine Mais ◽  
José-Luis Prieto ◽  
Brian McStay

Human ribosomal genes are located in NORs (nucleolar organizer regions) on the short arms of acrocentric chromosomes. During metaphase, previously active NORs appear as prominent chromosomal features termed secondary constrictions, which are achromatic in chromosome banding and positive in silver staining. The architectural RNA polymerase I transcription factor UBF (upstream binding factor) binds extensively across the ribosomal gene repeat throughout the cell cycle. Evidence that UBF underpins NOR structure is provided by an examination of cell lines in which large arrays of a heterologous UBF binding sequences are integrated at ectopic sites on human chromosomes. These arrays efficiently recruit UBF even to sites outside the nucleolus, and during metaphase form novel silver-stainable secondary constrictions, termed pseudo-NORs, that are morphologically similar to NORs.

2000 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2705-2717 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thibaut Dousset ◽  
Chen Wang ◽  
Céline Verheggen ◽  
Danyang Chen ◽  
Danièle Hernandez-Verdun ◽  
...  

This report examines the distribution of an RNA polymerase I transcription factor (upstream binding factor; UBF), pre-rRNA processing factors (nucleolin and fibrillarin), and pre-rRNAs throughout mitosis and postmitotic nucleologenesis in HeLa cells. The results demonstrate that nucleolin, fibrillarin, and pre-rRNAs synthesized at G2/M phase of the previous cell cycle are directly recruited to UBF-associated nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) early in telophase before chromosome decondensation. Unlike the fusion of prenucleolar bodies to the nucleoli, this early recruitment of processing factors and pre-rRNAs is independent of RNA polymerase I transcription. In the absence of polymerase I transcription, the initial localization of nucleolin, fibrillarin, and pre-rRNAs to UBF-associated NORs generates segregated mininucleoli that are similar to the larger ones observed in interphase cells grown under the same conditions. Pre-rRNAs are juxtaposed to UBF-nucleolin-fibrillarin caps that may represent the segregated nucleoli observed by electron microscopy. These findings lead to a revised model of nucleologenesis. We propose that nucleolar formation at the end of mitosis results from direct recruitment of processing factors and pre-rRNAs to UBF-associated NORs before or at the onset of rDNA transcription. This is followed by fusion of prepackaged prenucleolar bodies into the nucleolus. Pre-ribosomal ribonucleoproteins synthesized in the previous cell cycle may contribute to postmitotic nucleologenesis.


1997 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 2199-2216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurent Heliot ◽  
Hervé Kaplan ◽  
Laurent Lucas ◽  
Christophe Klein ◽  
Adrien Beorchia ◽  
...  

Metaphase nucleolar organizer regions (NORs), one of four types of chromosome bands, are located on human acrocentric chromosomes. They contain r-chromatin, i.e., ribosomal genes complexed with proteins such as upstream binding factor and RNA polymerase I, which are argyrophilic NOR proteins. Immunocytochemical and cytochemical labelings of these proteins were used to reveal r-chromatin in situ and to investigate its spatial organization within NORs by confocal microscopy and by electron tomography. For each labeling, confocal microscopy revealed small and large double-spotted NORs and crescent-shaped NORs. Their internal three-dimensional (3D) organization was studied by using electron tomography on specifically silver-stained NORs. The 3D reconstructions allow us to conclude that the argyrophilic NOR proteins are grouped as a fiber of 60–80 nm in diameter that constitutes either one part of a turn or two or three turns of a helix within small and large double-spotted NORs, respectively. Within crescent-shaped NORs, virtual slices reveal that the fiber constitutes several longitudinally twisted loops, grouped as two helical 250- to 300-nm coils, each centered on a nonargyrophilic axis of condensed chromatin. We propose a model of the 3D organization of r-chromatin within elongated NORs, in which loops are twisted and bent to constitute one basic chromatid coil.


1993 ◽  
Vol 104 (2) ◽  
pp. 327-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Roussel ◽  
C. Andre ◽  
C. Masson ◽  
G. Geraud ◽  
D. Hernandez-Verdun

Autoantibodies directed against nucleoli that recognized a doublet of 97–94 kDa in HeLa nuclear protein extracts were identified. The two polypeptides bound equal amounts of antibody, and each was recognized by antibodies affinity purified using the other polypeptide. These antigens were localized in the secondary constriction of PtK1 cells, i.e. the nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) where ribosomal genes accumulate. They were observed in human cells in the same sites as the NOR-silver-stained proteins. The molecular mass of the antigens, their characteristics in Western blotting and their localization in nucleoli and NORs during mitosis are consistent with them being RNA polymerase I transcriptional factor, UBF. This identification was confirmed on Western blotted proteins by their identical labelling patterns, using these autoantibodies and an anti-mUBF antibody that had been previously described. We obtained definitive evidence that these autoantibodies recognize UBF by the strong positive labelling of purified hUBF (1 to 4 ng). During interphase, these autoantibodies directed against UBF labelled in a folded filament pattern as small beads that may correspond to individual transcriptional units. In electron microscopy, the antibodies were observed in the dense fibrillar component (DFC) of the nucleoli and at the periphery of the fibrillar centers (FCs). At the end of G2 phase, transcription inactivation was concomitant with the gathering of UBF at mitotic NORs. UBF was not equally distributed between NORs in human cells: some NORs scored negative (2 to 4) and the intensity of labelling of positive NORs (6 to 8) differed. In confocal microscopy, 3-dimensional analysis of mitosis indicated that UBF remained associated with NORs during all mitotic stages and that there was equal partition of UBF between the daughter cells. The relationship between proteins associated with the NORs and ribosomal gene transcription is discussed.


2007 ◽  
Vol 27 (13) ◽  
pp. 4938-4952 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelley E. Brown ◽  
Moshe Szyf

ABSTRACT Within the human genome there are hundreds of copies of the rRNA gene, but only a fraction of these genes are active. Silencing through epigenetics has been extensively studied; however, it is essential to understand how active rRNA genes are maintained. Here, we propose a role for the methyl-CpG binding domain protein MBD3 in epigenetically maintaining active rRNA promoters. We show that MBD3 is localized to the nucleolus, colocalizes with upstream binding factor, and binds to unmethylated rRNA promoters. Knockdown of MBD3 by small interfering RNA results in increased methylation of the rRNA promoter coupled with a decrease in RNA polymerase I binding and pre-rRNA transcription. Conversely, overexpression of MBD3 results in decreased methylation of the rRNA promoter. Additionally, overexpression of MBD3 induces demethylation of nonreplicating plasmids containing the rRNA promoter. We demonstrate that this demethylation occurs following the overexpression of MBD3 and its increased interaction with the methylated rRNA promoter. This is the first demonstration that MBD3 is involved in inducing and maintaining the demethylated state of a specific promoter.


1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. 5572-5578 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Bodeker ◽  
C Cairns ◽  
B McStay

Initiation of RNA polymerase I transcription in Xenopus laevis requires Rib 1 and upstream binding factor (UBF). UBF and Rib 1 combine to form a stable transcription complex on the Xenopus ribosomal gene promoter. Here we show that Rib 1 comprises TATA-binding protein (TBP) and TBP-associated factor components. Thus, Rib 1 is the Xenopus equivalent of mammalian SL 1. In contrast to SL 1, Rib 1 is an unstable complex that readily dissociates into TBP and associated components. We identify a novel function for UBF in stabilizing Rib 1 by multiple protein interactions. This stabilization occurs in solution in a DNA-independent manner. These results may partially explain the difference in UBF requirement between Xenopus and mammalian systems.


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.


2005 ◽  
Vol 280 (33) ◽  
pp. 29551-29558 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Karsten Friedrich ◽  
Kostya I. Panov ◽  
Pavel Cabart ◽  
Jackie Russell ◽  
Joost C. B. M. Zomerdijk

1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 557-563 ◽  
Author(s):  
W M Hempel ◽  
A H Cavanaugh ◽  
R D Hannan ◽  
L Taylor ◽  
L I Rothblum

Transcription of the 45S rRNA genes is carried out by RNA polymerase I and at least two trans-acting factors, upstream binding factor (UBF) and SL-1. We have examined the hypothesis that SL-1 and UBF interact. Coimmunoprecipitation studies using an antibody to UBF demonstrated that TATA-binding protein, a subunit of SL-1, associates with UBF in the absence of DNA. Inclusion of the detergents sodium dodecyl sulfate and deoxycholate disrupted this interaction. In addition, partially purified UBF from rat cell nuclear extracts and partially purified SL-1 from human cells coimmunoprecipitated with the anti-UBF antibody after mixing, indicating that the UBF-SL-1 complex can re-form. Treatment of UBF-depleted extracts with the anti-UBF antibody depleted the extracts of SL-1 activity only if UBF was added to the extract prior to the immunodepletion reaction. Furthermore, SL-1 activity could be recovered in the immunoprecipitate. Interestingly, these immunoprecipitates did not contain RNA polymerase I, as a monospecific antibody to the 194-kDa subunit of RNA polymerase I failed to detect that subunit in the immunoprecipitates. Treatment of N1S1 cell extracts with the anti-UBF antibody depleted the extracts of SL-1 activity but not TFIIIB activity, suggesting that the binding of UBF to SL-1 is specific and not solely mediated by an interaction between UBF and TATA-binding protein, which is also a component of TFIIIB. These data provide evidence that UBF and SL-1 interact.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (19) ◽  
pp. 10357-10372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keiichi Izumikawa ◽  
Hideaki Ishikawa ◽  
Harunori Yoshikawa ◽  
Sally Fujiyama ◽  
Akira Watanabe ◽  
...  

Abstract Activation of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) synthesis is pivotal during cell growth and proliferation, but its aberrant upregulation may promote tumorigenesis. Here, we demonstrate that the candidate oncoprotein, LYAR, enhances ribosomal DNA (rDNA) transcription. Our data reveal that LYAR binds the histone-associated protein BRD2 without involvement of acetyl-lysine–binding bromodomains and recruits BRD2 to the rDNA promoter and transcribed regions via association with upstream binding factor. We show that BRD2 is required for the recruitment of the MYST-type acetyltransferase KAT7 to rDNA loci, resulting in enhanced local acetylation of histone H4. In addition, LYAR binds a complex of BRD4 and KAT7, which is then recruited to rDNA independently of the BRD2-KAT7 complex to accelerate the local acetylation of both H4 and H3. BRD2 also helps recruit BRD4 to rDNA. By contrast, LYAR has no effect on rDNA methylation or the binding of RNA polymerase I subunits to rDNA. These data suggest that LYAR promotes the association of the BRD2-KAT7 and BRD4-KAT7 complexes with transcription-competent rDNA loci but not to transcriptionally silent rDNA loci, thereby increasing rRNA synthesis by altering the local acetylation status of histone H3 and H4.


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