scholarly journals A conserved genetic interaction between Spt6 and Set2 regulates H3K36 methylation

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajaraman Gopalakrishnan ◽  
Fred Winston
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Schizosaccharomyces Pombe ◽  
Genetic Relationship ◽  
Genetic Interaction ◽  
Transcription Elongation ◽  
Elongation Factor ◽  
H3k36 Methylation ◽  
Autoinhibitory Domain ◽  
Transcription Elongation Factor ◽  
Multiple Interactions

The transcription elongation factor Spt6 and the H3K36 methyltransferase Set2 are both required for H3K36 methylation and transcriptional fidelity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. By selecting for suppressors of a transcriptional defect in an spt6 mutant, we have isolated dominant SET2 mutations (SET2sup mutations) in a region encoding a proposed autoinhibitory domain. The SET2sup mutations suppress the H3K36 methylation defect in the spt6 mutant, as well as in other mutants that impair H3K36 methylation. ChIP-seq studies demonstrate that the H3K36 methylation defect in the spt6 mutant, as well as its suppression by a SET2sup mutation, occur at a step following the recruitment of Set2 to chromatin. Other experiments show that a similar genetic relationship between Spt6 and Set2 exists in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Taken together, our results suggest a conserved mechanism by which the Set2 autoinhibitory domain requires multiple interactions to ensure that H3K36 methylation occurs specifically on actively transcribed chromatin.

Synthetic Lethal Interactions Suggest a Role for the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rtf1 Protein in Transcription Elongation

Genetics ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 156 (2) ◽  
pp. 535-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick J Costa ◽  
Karen M Arndt
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Transcription Elongation ◽  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Regulation Of Transcription ◽  
Gene Products ◽  
Synthetic Lethal ◽  
Transcription Elongation Factor ◽  
Synthetic Lethal Interactions ◽  
Ctd Phosphatase

Abstract Strong evidence indicates that transcription elongation by RNA polymerase II (pol II) is a highly regulated process. Here we present genetic results that indicate a role for the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rtf1 protein in transcription elongation. A screen for synthetic lethal mutations was carried out with an rtf1 deletion mutation to identify factors that interact with Rtf1 or regulate the same process as Rtf1. The screen uncovered mutations in SRB5, CTK1, FCP1, and POB3. These genes encode an Srb/mediator component, a CTD kinase, a CTD phosphatase, and a protein involved in the regulation of transcription by chromatin structure, respectively. All of these gene products have been directly or indirectly implicated in transcription elongation, indicating that Rtf1 may also regulate this process. In support of this view, we show that RTF1 functionally interacts with genes that encode known elongation factors, including SPT4, SPT5, SPT16, and PPR2. We also show that a deletion of RTF1 causes sensitivity to 6-azauracil and mycophenolic acid, phenotypes correlated with a transcription elongation defect. Collectively, our results suggest that Rtf1 may function as a novel transcription elongation factor in yeast.

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