Role of the C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II in expression of small nuclear RNA genes

2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 537-539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvain Egloff ◽  
Shona Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Rna Processing ◽  
Repeat Unit ◽  
Small Nuclear Rna ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Covalent Modifications

Pol II (RNA polymerase II) transcribes the genes encoding proteins and non-coding snRNAs (small nuclear RNAs). The largest subunit of Pol II contains a distinctive CTD (C-terminal domain) comprising a repetitive heptad amino acid sequence, Tyr1-Ser2-Pro3-Thr4-Ser5-Pro6-Ser7. This domain is now known to play a major role in the processes of transcription and co-transcriptional RNA processing in expression of both snRNA and protein-coding genes. The heptapeptide repeat unit can be extensively modified in vivo and covalent modifications of the CTD during the transcription cycle result in the ordered recruitment of RNA-processing factors. The most studied modifications are the phosphorylation of the serine residues in position 2 and 5 (Ser2 and Ser5), which play an important role in the co-transcriptional processing of both mRNA and snRNA. An additional, recently identified CTD modification, phosphorylation of the serine residue in position 7 (Ser7) of the heptapeptide, is however specifically required for expression of snRNA genes. These findings provide interesting insights into the control of gene-specific Pol II function.

scholarly journals RNA Polymerase II Carboxy-Terminal Domain Phosphorylation Is Required for Cotranscriptional Pre-mRNA Splicing and 3′-End Formation

2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (20) ◽  
pp. 8963-8969 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory Bird ◽  
Diego A. R. Zorio ◽  
David L. Bentley
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Mrna Splicing ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Carboxy Terminal Domain ◽  
Carboxy Terminal ◽  
Ctd Phosphorylation

ABSTRACT We investigated the role of RNA polymerase II (pol II) carboxy-terminal domain (CTD) phosphorylation in pre-mRNA processing coupled and uncoupled from transcription in Xenopus oocytes. Inhibition of CTD phosphorylation by the kinase inhibitors 5,6-dichloro-1β-d-ribofuranosyl-benzimidazole and H8 blocked transcription-coupled splicing and poly(A) site cleavage. These experiments suggest that pol II CTD phosphorylation is required for efficient pre-mRNA splicing and 3′-end formation in vivo. In contrast, processing of injected pre-mRNA was unaffected by either kinase inhibitors or α-amanitin-induced depletion of pol II. pol II therefore does not appear to participate directly in posttranscriptional processing, at least in frog oocytes. Together these experiments show that the influence of the phosphorylated CTD on pre-mRNA splicing and 3′-end processing is mediated by transcriptional coupling.

scholarly journals TFIIH-Associated Cdk7 Kinase Functions in Phosphorylation of C-Terminal Domain Ser7 Residues, Promoter-Proximal Pausing, and Termination by RNA Polymerase II

2009 ◽  
Vol 29 (20) ◽  
pp. 5455-5464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kira Glover-Cutter ◽  
Stéphane Larochelle ◽  
Benjamin Erickson ◽  
Chao Zhang ◽  
Kevan Shokat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Histone H4 ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Histone H4 Acetylation ◽  
Flanking Regions

ABSTRACT The function of human TFIIH-associated Cdk7 in RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcription and C-terminal domain (CTD) phosphorylation was investigated in analogue-sensitive Cdk7 as/as mutant cells where the kinase can be inhibited without disrupting TFIIH. We show that both Cdk7 and Cdk9/PTEFb contribute to phosphorylation of Pol II CTD Ser5 residues on transcribed genes. Cdk7 is also a major kinase of CTD Ser7 on Pol II at the c-fos and U snRNA genes. Furthermore, TFIIH and recombinant Cdk7-CycH-Mat1 as well as recombinant Cdk9-CycT1 phosphorylated CTD Ser7 and Ser5 residues in vitro. Inhibition of Cdk7 in vivo suppressed the amount of Pol II accumulated at 5′ ends on several genes including c-myc, p21, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase genes, indicating reduced promoter-proximal pausing or polymerase “leaking” into the gene. Consistent with a 5′ pausing defect, Cdk7 inhibition reduced recruitment of the negative elongation factor NELF at start sites. A role of Cdk7 in regulating elongation is further suggested by enhanced histone H4 acetylation and diminished histone H4 trimethylation on lysine 36—two marks of elongation—within genes when the kinase was inhibited. Consistent with a new role for TFIIH at 3′ ends, it was detected within genes and 3′-flanking regions, and Cdk7 inhibition delayed pausing and transcription termination.

scholarly journals Two Distinct Domains in Staf To Selectively Activate Small Nuclear RNA-Type and mRNA Promoters

1998 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2650-2658 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Schuster ◽  
Alain Krol ◽  
Philippe Carbon
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Repeat Unit ◽  
Transcriptional Activator ◽  
Small Nuclear Rna ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
Activation Domains ◽  
Transcription Complexes ◽  
Pol Iii

ABSTRACT Staf is a transcriptional activator of prime importance for enhanced transcription of small nuclear (snRNA) and snRNA-type genes transcribed by RNA polymerases II and III (Pol II and III). In addition to this activity, it also possesses the capacity to stimulate expression from an RNA polymerase II mRNA promoter. This promiscuous activator thus provides a useful model system for studying the mechanism by which one single transcription factor can activate a large variety of promoters. Here, we report the use of in vivo assays to identify the Staf activation domains involved in promoter selectivity. Analysis of Staf mutants reveals the existence of two physically and functionally distinct regions, outside of the DNA binding domain, responsible for mediating selective transcriptional activation. While a 93-amino-acid domain, with the striking presence of four repeated units, is specialized for transcriptional activation of an mRNA promoter, a segment of only 18 amino acids, with a critical Leu-213 residue, acts specifically on Pol II and Pol III snRNA and snRNA-type promoters. In addition, this study disclosed the fundamental importance of invariant leucine and aspartic acid residues located in each repeat unit of the mRNA activation domain. Staf is therefore the first transcriptional activator described so far to harbor two physically and functionally distinct activator domains. This finding suggests that the same activator can contact different, specialized transcription complexes formed on different types of basal promoters through promoter-specific transactivation pathways.

scholarly journals Role of the Mammalian RNA Polymerase II C-Terminal Domain (CTD) Nonconsensus Repeats in CTD Stability and Cell Proliferation

2005 ◽  
Vol 25 (17) ◽  
pp. 7665-7674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rob D. Chapman ◽  
Marcus Conrad ◽  
Dirk Eick
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Consensus Sequence ◽  
Normal Growth ◽  
Mrna Processing ◽  
Functional Importance ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
Terminal Domain

ABSTRACT The C-terminal domain (CTD) of mammalian RNA polymerase II (Pol II) consists of 52 repeats of the consensus heptapeptide YSPTSPS and links transcription to the processing of pre-mRNA. The length of the CTD and the number of repeats diverging from the consensus sequence have increased through evolution, but their functional importance remains unknown. Here, we show that the deletion of repeats 1 to 3 or 52 leads to cleavage and degradation of the CTD from Pol II in vivo. Including these repeats, however, allowed the construction of stable, synthetic CTDs. To our surprise, polymerases consisting of just consensus repeats could support normal growth and viability of cells. We conclude that all other nonconsensus CTD repeats are dispensable for the transcription and pre-mRNA processing of genes essential for proliferation.

scholarly journals Formation of a Carboxy-Terminal Domain Phosphatase (Fcp1)/TFIIF/RNA Polymerase II (pol II) Complex in Schizosaccharomyces pombe Involves Direct Interaction between Fcp1 and the Rpb4 Subunit of pol II

2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 1577-1588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Makoto Kimura ◽  
Hisako Suzuki ◽  
Akira Ishihama
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Schizosaccharomyces Pombe ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Ctd Phosphatase

ABSTRACT In transcriptional regulation, RNA polymerase II (pol II) interacts and forms complexes with a number of protein factors. To isolate and identify the pol II-associated proteins, we constructed a Schizosaccharomyces pombe strain carrying a FLAG tag sequence fused to the rpb3 gene encoding the pol II subunit Rpb3. By immunoaffinity purification with anti-FLAG antibody-resin, a pol II complex containing the Rpb1 subunit with a nonphosphorylated carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD) was isolated. In addition to the pol II subunits, the complex was found to contain three subunits of a transcription factor TFIIF (TFIIFα, TFIIFβ, and Tfg3) and TFIIF-interacting CTD-phosphatase Fcp1. The same type of pol II complex could also be purified from an Fcp1-tagged strain. The isolated Fcp1 showed CTD-phosphatase activity in vitro. The fcp1 gene is essential for cell viability. Fcp1 and pol II interacted directly in vitro. Furthermore, by chemical cross-linking, glutathione S-transferase pulldown, and affinity chromatography, the Fcp1-interacting subunit of pol II was identified as Rpb4, which plays regulatory roles in transcription. We also constructed an S. pombe thiamine-dependent rpb4 shut-off system. On repression of rpb4 expression, the cell produced more of the nonphosphorylated form of Rpb1, but the pol II complex isolated with the anti-FLAG antibody contained less Fcp1 and more of the phosphorylated form of Rpb1 with a concomitant reduction in Rpb4. This result indicates the importance of Fcp1-Rpb4 interaction for formation of the Fcp1/TFIIF/pol II complex in vivo.

scholarly journals hnRNP U Inhibits Carboxy-Terminal Domain Phosphorylation by TFIIH and Represses RNA Polymerase II Elongation

1999 ◽  
Vol 19 (10) ◽  
pp. 6833-6844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myung K. Kim ◽  
Vera M. Nikodem
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Carboxy Terminal Domain ◽  
Hnrnp U ◽  
Carboxy Terminal ◽  
Ctd Phosphorylation

ABSTRACT This study describes a potential new function of hnRNP U as an RNA polymerase (Pol II) elongation inhibitor. We demonstrated that a subfraction of human hnRNP U is associated with the Pol II holoenzyme in vivo and as such recruited to the promoter as part of the preinitiation complex. hnRNP U, however, appears to dissociate from the Pol II complex at the early stage of transcription and is therefore absent from the elongating Pol II complex. When tested in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 transcription system, hnRNP U inhibits elongation rather than initiation of transcription by Pol II. This inhibition requires the carboxy-terminal domain (CTD) of Pol II. We showed that hnRNP U can bind TFIIH in vivo under certain conditions and inhibit TFIIH-mediated CTD phosphorylation in vitro. We find that the middle domain of hnRNP U is sufficient to mediate its Pol II association and its inhibition of TFIIH-mediated phosphorylation and Pol II elongation. The abilities of hnRNP U to inhibit TFIIH-mediated CTD phosphorylation and its Pol II association are necessary for hnRNP U to mediate the repression of Pol II elongation. Based on these observations, we suggest that a subfraction of hnRNP U, as a component of the Pol II holoenzyme, may downregulate TFIIH-mediated CTD phosphorylation in the basal transcription machinery and repress Pol II elongation. With such functions, hnRNP U might provide one of the mechanisms by which the CTD is maintained in an unphosphorylated state in the Pol II holoenzyme.

scholarly journals P-TEFb Is Critical for the Maturation of RNA Polymerase II into Productive Elongation In Vivo

2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 1161-1170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhuoyu Ni ◽  
Abbie Saunders ◽  
Nicholas J. Fuda ◽  
Jie Yao ◽  
Jose-Ramon Suarez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Rna Processing ◽  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
Initiation Site ◽  
The Body ◽  
Elongation Complex ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
Productive Elongation

ABSTRACT Positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) is the major metazoan RNA polymerase II (Pol II) carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD) Ser2 kinase, and its activity is believed to promote productive elongation and coupled RNA processing. Here, we demonstrate that P-TEFb is critical for the transition of Pol II into a mature transcription elongation complex in vivo. Within 3 min following P-TEFb inhibition, most polymerases were restricted to within 150 bp of the transcription initiation site of the active Drosophila melanogaster Hsp70 gene, and live-cell imaging demonstrated that these polymerases were stably associated. Polymerases already productively elongating at the time of P-TEFb inhibition, however, proceeded with elongation in the absence of active P-TEFb and cleared from the Hsp70 gene. Strikingly, all transcription factors tested (P-TEFb, Spt5, Spt6, and TFIIS) and RNA-processing factor CstF50 exited the body of the gene with kinetics indistinguishable from that of Pol II. An analysis of the phosphorylation state of Pol II upon the inhibition of P-TEFb also revealed no detectable CTD Ser2 phosphatase activity upstream of the Hsp70 polyadenylation site. In the continued presence of P-TEFb inhibitor, Pol II levels across the gene eventually recovered.

scholarly journals Direct Interaction between the Subunit RAP30 of Transcription Factor IIF (TFIIF) and RNA Polymerase Subunit 5, Which Contributes to the Association between TFIIF and RNA Polymerase II

2001 ◽  
Vol 276 (15) ◽  
pp. 12266-12273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenxiang Wei ◽  
Dorjbal Dorjsuren ◽  
Yong Lin ◽  
Weiping Qin ◽  
Takahiro Nomura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Middle Part ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Binding Region ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
Transcription Factor Iif ◽  
B Virus

The general transcription factor IIF (TFIIF) assembled in the initiation complex, and RAP30 of TFIIF, have been shown to associate with RNA polymerase II (pol II), although it remains unclear which pol II subunit is responsible for the interaction. We examined whether TFIIF interacts with RNA polymerase II subunit 5 (RPB5), the exposed domain of which binds transcriptional regulatory factors such as hepatitis B virus X protein and a novel regulatory protein, RPB5-mediating protein. The results demonstrated that RPB5 directly binds RAP30in vitrousing purified recombinant proteins andin vivoin COS1 cells transiently expressing recombinant RAP30 and RPB5. The RAP30-binding region was mapped to the central region (amino acids (aa) 47–120) of RPB5, which partly overlaps the hepatitis B virus X protein-binding region. Although the middle part (aa 101–170) and the N-terminus (aa 1–100) of RAP30 independently bound RPB5, the latter was not involved in the RPB5 binding when RAP30 was present in TFIIF complex. Scanning of the middle part of RAP30 by clustered alanine substitutions and then point alanine substitutions pinpointed two residues critical for the RPB5 binding inin vitroandin vivoassays. Wild type but not mutants Y124A and Q131A of RAP30 coexpressed with FLAG-RAP74 efficiently recovered endogenous RPB5 to the FLAG-RAP74-bound anti-FLAG M2 resin. The recovered endogenous RPB5 is assembled in pol II as demonstrated immunologically. Interestingly, coexpression of the central region of RPB5 and wild type RAP30 inhibited recovery of endogenous pol II to the FLAG-RAP74-bound M2 resin, strongly suggesting that the RAP30-binding region of RPB5 inhibited the association of TFIIF and pol II. The exposed domain of RPB5 interacts with RAP30 of TFIIF and is important for the association between pol II and TFIIF.

scholarly journals CTCF Interacts with and Recruits the Largest Subunit of RNA Polymerase II to CTCF Target Sites Genome-Wide

2007 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 1631-1648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor Chernukhin ◽  
Shaharum Shamsuddin ◽  
Sung Yun Kang ◽  
Rosita Bergström ◽  
Yoo-Wook Kwon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Gene Activation ◽  
Ctcf Binding ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Target Sites ◽  
On Chip

ABSTRACT CTCF is a transcription factor with highly versatile functions ranging from gene activation and repression to the regulation of insulator function and imprinting. Although many of these functions rely on CTCF-DNA interactions, it is an emerging realization that CTCF-dependent molecular processes involve CTCF interactions with other proteins. In this study, we report the association of a subpopulation of CTCF with the RNA polymerase II (Pol II) protein complex. We identified the largest subunit of Pol II (LS Pol II) as a protein significantly colocalizing with CTCF in the nucleus and specifically interacting with CTCF in vivo and in vitro. The role of CTCF as a link between DNA and LS Pol II has been reinforced by the observation that the association of LS Pol II with CTCF target sites in vivo depends on intact CTCF binding sequences. “Serial” chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis revealed that both CTCF and LS Pol II were present at the β-globin insulator in proliferating HD3 cells but not in differentiated globin synthesizing HD3 cells. Further, a single wild-type CTCF target site (N-Myc-CTCF), but not the mutant site deficient for CTCF binding, was sufficient to activate the transcription from the promoterless reporter gene in stably transfected cells. Finally, a ChIP-on-ChIP hybridization assay using microarrays of a library of CTCF target sites revealed that many intergenic CTCF target sequences interacted with both CTCF and LS Pol II. We discuss the possible implications of our observations with respect to plausible mechanisms of transcriptional regulation via a CTCF-mediated direct link of LS Pol II to the DNA.

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