scholarly journals Structure and function of ribosomal RNA gene chromatin

2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 619-624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna L. Birch ◽  
Joost C.B.M. Zomerdijk
Keyword(s):  
Ribosomal Rna ◽  
Ribosome Biogenesis ◽  
Rna Polymerase I ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Pol I ◽  
And Function ◽  
Polymerase I ◽  
Cell Growth And Proliferation ◽  
Cellular Control

Transcription of the major ribosomal RNAs by Pol I (RNA polymerase I) is a key determinant of ribosome biogenesis, driving cell growth and proliferation in eukaryotes. Hundreds of copies of rRNA genes are present in each cell, and there is evidence that the cellular control of Pol I transcription involves adjustments to the number of rRNA genes actively engaged in transcription, as well as to the rate of transcription from each active gene. Chromatin structure is inextricably linked to rRNA gene activity, and the present review highlights recent advances in this area.

scholarly journals Regulation of Ribosomal RNA Production by RNA Polymerase I: Does Elongation Come First?

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Albert ◽  
Jorge Perez-Fernandez ◽  
Isabelle Léger-Silvestre ◽  
Olivier Gadal
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Ribosomal Rna ◽  
Chromatin Structure ◽  
Rna Polymerase I ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Elongation Factors ◽  
Pol I ◽  
Polymerase I

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) production represents the most active transcription in the cell. Synthesis of the large rRNA precursors (35–47S) can be achieved by up to 150 RNA polymerase I (Pol I) enzymes simultaneously transcribing each rRNA gene. In this paper, we present recent advances made in understanding the regulatory mechanisms that control elongation. Built-in Pol I elongation factors, such as Rpa34/Rpa49 in budding yeast and PAF53/CAST in humans, are instrumental to the extremely high rate of rRNA production per gene. rRNA elongation mechanisms are intrinsically linked to chromatin structure and to the higher-order organization of the rRNA genes (rDNA). Factors such as Hmo1 in yeast and UBF1 in humans are key players in rDNA chromatin structure in vivo. Finally, elongation factors known to regulate messengers RNA production by RNA polymerase II are also involved in rRNA production and work cooperatively with Rpa49 in vivo.

Regulation of RNA Polymerase I Transcription in Development, Disease, and Aging

2018 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samim Sharifi ◽  
Holger Bierhoff
Keyword(s):  
Ribosome Biogenesis ◽  
Rna Polymerase I ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Environmental Signals ◽  
Pol I ◽  
Nuclear Rna ◽  
Multicopy Genes ◽  
Polymerase I ◽  
Precursor Transcript

Ribosome biogenesis is a complex and highly energy-demanding process that requires the concerted action of all three nuclear RNA polymerases (Pol I–III) in eukaryotes. The three largest ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) originate from a precursor transcript (pre-rRNA) that is encoded by multicopy genes located in the nucleolus. Transcription of these rRNA genes (rDNA) by Pol I is the key regulation step in ribosome production and is tightly controlled by an intricate network of signaling pathways and epigenetic mechanisms. In this article, we give an overview of the composition of the basal Pol I machinery and rDNA chromatin. We discuss rRNA gene regulation in response to environmental signals and developmental cues and focus on perturbations occurring in diseases linked to either excessive or limited rRNA levels. Finally, we discuss the emerging view that rDNA integrity and activity may be involved in the aging process.

scholarly journals Che-1/AATF binds to RNA polymerase I machinery and sustains ribosomal RNA gene transcription

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (11) ◽  
pp. 5891-5906 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Sorino ◽  
Valeria Catena ◽  
Tiziana Bruno ◽  
Francesca De Nicola ◽  
Stefano Scalera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Ribosomal Rna ◽  
Ribosome Biogenesis ◽  
Cellular Proliferation ◽  
Rna Polymerase I ◽  
Rrna Synthesis ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Response To Stress ◽  
Polymerase I

Abstract Originally identified as an RNA polymerase II interactor, Che-1/AATF (Che-1) has now been recognized as a multifunctional protein involved in cell-cycle regulation and cancer progression, as well as apoptosis inhibition and response to stress. This protein displays a peculiar nucleolar localization and it has recently been implicated in pre-rRNA processing and ribosome biogenesis. Here, we report the identification of a novel function of Che-1 in the regulation of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) synthesis, in both cancer and normal cells. We demonstrate that Che-1 interacts with RNA polymerase I and nucleolar upstream binding factor (UBF) and promotes RNA polymerase I-dependent transcription. Furthermore, this protein binds to the rRNA gene (rDNA) promoter and modulates its epigenetic state by contrasting the recruitment of HDAC1. Che-1 downregulation affects RNA polymerase I and UBF recruitment on rDNA and leads to reducing rDNA promoter activity and 47S pre-rRNA production. Interestingly, Che-1 depletion induces abnormal nucleolar morphology associated with re-distribution of nucleolar proteins. Finally, we show that upon DNA damage Che-1 re-localizes from rDNA to TP53 gene promoter to induce cell-cycle arrest. This previously uncharacterized function of Che-1 confirms the important role of this protein in the regulation of ribosome biogenesis, cellular proliferation and response to stress.

scholarly journals Epigenetic Programming of the rRNA Promoter by MBD3

2007 ◽  
Vol 27 (13) ◽  
pp. 4938-4952 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelley E. Brown ◽  
Moshe Szyf
Keyword(s):  
Small Interfering Rna ◽  
Rna Polymerase I ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Rrna Transcription ◽  
Epigenetic Programming ◽  
Binding Factor ◽  
Upstream Binding Factor ◽  
Polymerase I ◽  
Interfering Rna

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.

scholarly journals Dichotomous Impact of Myc on rRNA Gene Activation and Silencing in B Cell Lymphomagenesis

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 3009
Author(s):  
Gaurav Joshi ◽  
Alexander Otto Eberhardt ◽  
Lisa Lange ◽  
René Winkler ◽  
Steve Hoffmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cell ◽  
Gene Activation ◽  
Cpg Methylation ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Rdna Transcription ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Pol I ◽  
Polymerase I ◽  
Transcriptional Output

A major transcriptional output of cells is ribosomal RNA (rRNA), synthesized by RNA polymerase I (Pol I) from multicopy rRNA genes (rDNA). Constitutive silencing of an rDNA fraction by promoter CpG methylation contributes to the stabilization of these otherwise highly active loci. In cancers driven by the oncoprotein Myc, excessive Myc directly stimulates rDNA transcription. However, it is not clear when during carcinogenesis this mechanism emerges, and how Myc-driven rDNA activation affects epigenetic silencing. Here, we have used the Eµ-Myc mouse model to investigate rDNA transcription and epigenetic regulation in Myc-driven B cell lymphomagenesis. We have developed a refined cytometric strategy to isolate B cells from the tumor initiation, promotion, and progression phases, and found a substantial increase of both Myc and rRNA gene expression only in established lymphoma. Surprisingly, promoter CpG methylation and the machinery for rDNA silencing were also strongly up-regulated in the tumor progression state. The data indicate a dichotomous role of oncogenic Myc in rDNA regulation, boosting transcription as well as reinforcing repression of silent repeats, which may provide a novel angle on perturbing Myc function in cancer cells.

scholarly journals Drug-induced dispersal of transcribed rRNA genes and transcriptional products: immunolocalization and silver staining of different nucleolar components in rat cells treated with 5,6-dichloro-beta-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole.

1984 ◽  
Vol 99 (2) ◽  
pp. 672-679 ◽  
Author(s):  
U Scheer ◽  
B Hügle ◽  
R Hazan ◽  
K M Rose
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Organizer Region ◽  
Nucleolar Organizer Region ◽  
Ribosomal Subunit ◽  
Rna Polymerase I ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Linear Distribution ◽  
Nucleolar Material ◽  
Polymerase I

Upon incubation of cultured rat cells with the adenosine analogue 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole (DRB), nucleoli reversibly dissociate into their substructures, disperse throughout the nuclear interior, and form nucleolar "necklaces". We have used this experimental system, which does not inhibit transcription of the rRNA genes, to study by immunocytochemistry the distribution of active rRNA genes and their transcriptional products during nucleolar dispersal and recovery to normal morphology. Antibodies to RNA polymerase I allow detection of template-engaged polymerase, and monoclonal antibodies to a ribosomal protein (S1) of the small ribosomal subunit permit localization of nucleolar preribosomal particles. The results show that, under the action of DRB transcribed rRNA, genes spread throughout the nucleoplasm and finally appear in the form of several rows, each containing several (up to 30) granules positive for RNA polymerase I and argyrophilic proteins. Nucleolar material containing preribosomal particles also appears in granular structures spread over the nucleoplasm but its distribution is distinct from that of rRNA gene-containing granules. We conclude that, although transcriptional units and preribosomal particles are both redistributed in response to DRB, these entities retain their individuality as functionally defined subunits. We further propose that each RNA polymerase-positive granular unit represents a single transcription unit and that each continuous array of granules ("string of nucleolar beads") reflects the linear distribution of rRNA genes along a nucleolar organizer region. Based on the total number of polymerase I-positive granules we estimate that a minimum of 60 rRNA genes are active during interphase of DRB-treated rat cells.

An alternative RNA polymerase I structure reveals a dimer hinge

2015 ◽  
Vol 71 (9) ◽  
pp. 1850-1855 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk Kostrewa ◽  
Claus-D. Kuhn ◽  
Christoph Engel ◽  
Patrick Cramer
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Ribosomal Rna ◽  
Crystal Form ◽  
Relative Orientation ◽  
Rna Polymerase I ◽  
Molecular Replacement ◽  
Active Centre ◽  
Pol I ◽  
Polymerase I ◽  
Alternative Structure

RNA polymerase I (Pol I) is the central, 14-subunit enzyme that synthesizes the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) precursor in eukaryotic cells. The recent crystal structure of Pol I at 2.8 Å resolution revealed two novel elements: the `expander' in the active-centre cleft and the `connector' that mediates Pol I dimerization [Engelet al.(2013),Nature (London),502, 650–655]. Here, a Pol I structure in an alternative crystal form that was solved by molecular replacement using the original atomic Pol I structure is reported. The resulting alternative structure lacks the expander but still shows an expanded active-centre cleft. The neighbouring Pol I monomers form a homodimer with a relative orientation distinct from that observed previously, establishing the connector as a hinge between Pol I monomers.

Dynamics of the RNA polymerase I TFIIF/TFIIE-like subcomplex: a mini-review

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 1917-1927
Author(s):  
Bruce A. Knutson ◽  
Rachel McNamar ◽  
Lawrence I. Rothblum
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Ribosomal Rna ◽  
Genetic Disorders ◽  
Rna Polymerase I ◽  
28S Rrna ◽  
Pol I ◽  
Transcription Process ◽  
Polymerase I ◽  
Linker Domain ◽  
Dynamic Interplay

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.

lncRNA SLERT controls phase separation of FC/DFCs to facilitate Pol I transcription

Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 373 (6554) ◽  
pp. 547-555
Author(s):  
Man Wu ◽  
Guang Xu ◽  
Chong Han ◽  
Peng-Fei Luan ◽  
Yu-Hang Xing ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ribosomal Rna ◽  
Noncoding Rna ◽  
Rna Polymerase I ◽  
Dense Fibrillar Component ◽  
Biophysical Properties ◽  
Fibrillar Center ◽  
Dead Box ◽  
Pol I ◽  
Fibrillar Component ◽  
Polymerase I

RNA polymerase I (Pol I) transcription takes place at the border of the fibrillar center (FC) and the dense fibrillar component (DFC) in the nucleolus. Here, we report that individual spherical FC/DFC units are coated by the DEAD-box RNA helicase DDX21 in human cells. The long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) SLERT binds to DDX21 RecA domains to promote DDX21 to adopt a closed conformation at a substoichiometric ratio through a molecular chaperone–like mechanism resulting in the formation of hypomultimerized and loose DDX21 clusters that coat DFCs, which is required for proper FC/DFC liquidity and Pol I processivity. Our results suggest that SLERT is an RNA regulator that controls the biophysical properties of FC/DFCs and thus ribosomal RNA production.

scholarly journals RNA polymerase I–specific subunits promote polymerase clustering to enhance the rRNA gene transcription cycle

2011 ◽  
Vol 192 (2) ◽  
pp. 277-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Albert ◽  
Isabelle Léger-Silvestre ◽  
Christophe Normand ◽  
Martin K. Ostermaier ◽  
Jorge Pérez-Fernández ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Loading Rate ◽  
Gene Copy Number ◽  
Ribosomal Gene ◽  
Rna Polymerase I ◽  
Gene Copy ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Pol I ◽  
Pol Iii ◽  
Polymerase I

RNA polymerase I (Pol I) produces large ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs). In this study, we show that the Rpa49 and Rpa34 Pol I subunits, which do not have counterparts in Pol II and Pol III complexes, are functionally conserved using heterospecific complementation of the human and Schizosaccharomyces pombe orthologues in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Deletion of RPA49 leads to the disappearance of nucleolar structure, but nucleolar assembly can be restored by decreasing ribosomal gene copy number from 190 to 25. Statistical analysis of Miller spreads in the absence of Rpa49 demonstrates a fourfold decrease in Pol I loading rate per gene and decreased contact between adjacent Pol I complexes. Therefore, the Rpa34 and Rpa49 Pol I–specific subunits are essential for nucleolar assembly and for the high polymerase loading rate associated with frequent contact between adjacent enzymes. Together our data suggest that localized rRNA production results in spatially constrained rRNA production, which is instrumental for nucleolar assembly.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document