scholarly journals Ancient Transcription Factors in the News

mBio ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina Artsimovitch ◽  
Stefan H. Knauer
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Nucleic Acids ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Processing ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Mechanistic Studies ◽  
Elongation Complex ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Domains Of Life

ABSTRACTIn every cell from bacteria to mammals, NusG-like proteins bind transcribing RNA polymerase to modulate the rate of nascent RNA synthesis and to coordinate it with numerous cotranscriptional processes that ultimately determine the transcript fate. Housekeeping NusG factors regulate expression of the bulk of the genome, whereas their highly specialized paralogs control just a few targets. InEscherichiacoli, NusG stimulates silencing of horizontally acquired genes, while its paralog RfaH counters NusG action by activating a subset of these genes. Acting alone or as part of regulatory complexes, NusG factors can promote uninterrupted RNA synthesis, bring about transcription pausing or premature termination, modulate RNA processing, and facilitate translation. Recent structural and mechanistic studies of NusG homologs from all domains of life reveal molecular details of multifaceted interactions that underpin their unexpectedly diverse regulatory roles. NusG proteins share conserved binding sites on RNA polymerase and many effects on the transcription elongation complex but differ in their mechanisms of recruitment, interactions with nucleic acids and secondary partners, and regulatory outcomes. Strikingly, some can alternate between autoinhibited and activated states that possess dramatically different secondary structures to achieve exquisite target specificity.

NTP-driven translocation and regulation of downstream template opening by multi-subunit RNA polymerases

2005 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. 486-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary F Burton ◽  
Michael Feig ◽  
Xue Q Gong ◽  
Chunfen Zhang ◽  
Yuri A Nedialkov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Active Site ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Rna Polymerases ◽  
Phosphoryl Transfer ◽  
Elongation Complex ◽  
Detailed Model ◽  
Loop 2

Multi-subunit RNA polymerases bind nucleotide triphosphate (NTP) substrates in the pretranslocated state and carry the dNMP–NTP base pair into the active site for phosphoryl transfer. NTP-driven translocation requires that NTP substrates enter the main-enzyme channel before loading into the active site. Based on this model, a new view of fidelity and efficiency of RNA synthesis is proposed. The model predicts that, during processive elongation, NTP-driven translocation is coupled to a protein conformational change that allows pyrophosphate release: coupling the end of one bond-addition cycle to substrate loading and translocation for the next. We present a detailed model of the RNA polymerase II elongation complex based on 2 low-affinity NTP binding sites located in the main-enzyme channel. This model posits that NTP substrates, elongation factors, and the conserved Rpb2 subunit fork loop 2 cooperate to regulate opening of the downstream transcription bubble.Key words: RNA polymerase, NTP-driven translocation, transcriptional fidelity, transcriptional efficiency, α-amanitin.

scholarly journals Origins and Molecular Evolution of the NusG Paralog RfaH

mBio ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bing Wang ◽  
Vadim M. Gumerov ◽  
Ekaterina P. Andrianova ◽  
Igor B. Zhulin ◽  
Irina Artsimovitch
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Molecular Evolution ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Housekeeping Genes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bacterial Phyla ◽  
Evolutionary Origins ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Domains Of Life ◽  
Polymerase Binding

ABSTRACT The only universally conserved family of transcription factors comprises housekeeping regulators and their specialized paralogs, represented by well-studied NusG and RfaH. Despite their ubiquity, little information is available on the evolutionary origins, functions, and gene targets of the NusG family members. We built a hidden Markov model profile of RfaH and identified its homologs in sequenced genomes. While NusG is widespread among bacterial phyla and coresides with genes encoding RNA polymerase and ribosome in all except extremely reduced genomes, RfaH is mostly limited to Proteobacteria and lacks common gene neighbors. RfaH activates only a few xenogeneic operons that are otherwise silenced by NusG and Rho. Phylogenetic reconstructions reveal extensive duplications and horizontal transfer of rfaH genes, including those borne by plasmids, and the molecular evolution pathway of RfaH, from “early” exclusion of the Rho terminator and tightened RNA polymerase binding to “late” interactions with the ops DNA element and autoinhibition, which together define the RfaH regulon. Remarkably, NusG is not only ubiquitous in Bacteria but also common in plants, where it likely modulates the transcription of plastid genes. IMPORTANCE In all domains of life, NusG-like proteins make contacts similar to those of RNA polymerase and promote pause-free transcription yet may play different roles, defined by their divergent interactions with nucleic acids and accessory proteins, in the same cell. This duality is illustrated by Escherichia coli NusG and RfaH, which silence and activate xenogenes, respectively. We combined sequence analysis and recent functional and structural insights to envision the evolutionary transformation of NusG, a core regulator that we show is present in all cells using bacterial RNA polymerase, into a virulence factor, RfaH. Our results suggest a stepwise conversion of a NusG duplicate copy into a sequence-specific regulator which excludes NusG from its targets but does not compromise the regulation of housekeeping genes. We find that gene duplication and lateral transfer give rise to a surprising diversity within the only ubiquitous family of transcription factors.

scholarly journals Mycobacterial HelD is a nucleic acids-clearing factor for RNA polymerase

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomáš Kouba ◽  
Tomáš Koval’ ◽  
Petra Sudzinová ◽  
Jiří Pospíšil ◽  
Barbora Brezovská ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nucleic Acids ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Active Site ◽  
Mycobacterium Smegmatis ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Transcription Elongation ◽  
Specific Interactions ◽  
Inactive State ◽  
Transcription Machinery

AbstractRNA synthesis is central to life, and RNA polymerase (RNAP) depends on accessory factors for recovery from stalled states and adaptation to environmental changes. Here, we investigated the mechanism by which a helicase-like factor HelD recycles RNAP. We report a cryo-EM structure of a complex between the Mycobacterium smegmatis RNAP and HelD. The crescent-shaped HelD simultaneously penetrates deep into two RNAP channels that are responsible for nucleic acids binding and substrate delivery to the active site, thereby locking RNAP in an inactive state. We show that HelD prevents non-specific interactions between RNAP and DNA and dissociates stalled transcription elongation complexes. The liberated RNAP can either stay dormant, sequestered by HelD, or upon HelD release, restart transcription. Our results provide insights into the architecture and regulation of the highly medically-relevant mycobacterial transcription machinery and define HelD as a clearing factor that releases RNAP from nonfunctional complexes with nucleic acids.

Promoter islandsas a platform for interaction with nucleoid proteins and transcription factors

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (02) ◽  
pp. 1441006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuri A. Purtov ◽  
Olga A. Glazunova ◽  
Sergey S. Antipov ◽  
Viktoria O. Pokusaeva ◽  
Eugeny E. Fesenko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Computer Search ◽  
Biologically Relevant ◽  
Bacterial Nucleoid ◽  
Foreign Genes ◽  
Transcriptional Output

Seventy-eight promoter islands with an extraordinarily high density of potential promoters have been recently found in the genome of Escherichia coli. It has been shown that RNA polymerase binds internal promoters of these islands and produces short oligonucleotides, while the synthesis of normal mRNAs is suppressed. This quenching may be biologically relevant, as most islands are associated with foreign genes, which expression may deplete cellular resources. However, a molecular mechanism of silencing with the participation of these promoter-rich regions remains obscure. It has been demonstrated that all islands interact with histone-like protein H-NS — a specific sentinel of foreign genes. In this study, we demonstrated the inhibitory effect of H-NS using Δhns mutant of Escherichia coli and showed that deletion of dps, encoding another protein of bacterial nucleoid, tended to decrease rather than increase the amount of island-specific transcripts. This observation precluded consideration of promoter islands as sites for targeted heterochromatization only and a computer search for the binding sites of 53 transcription factors (TFs) revealed six proteins, which may specifically regulate their transcriptional output.

scholarly journals Role of the mammalian transcription factors IIF, IIS, and IIX during elongation by RNA polymerase II.

1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 1195-1206 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Bengal ◽  
O Flores ◽  
A Krauskopf ◽  
D Reinberg ◽  
Y Aloni
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Late Promoter ◽  
Elongation Complex ◽  
Cell Extracts ◽  
Adenovirus Major Late Promoter ◽  
Major Late Promoter ◽  
Transcription Complexes

We have used a recently developed system that allows the isolation of complexes competent for RNA polymerase II elongation (E. Bengal, A. Goldring, and Y. Aloni, J. Biol. Chem. 264:18926-18932, 1989). Pulse-labeled transcription complexes were formed at the adenovirus major late promoter with use of HeLa cell extracts. Elongation-competent complexes were purified from most of the proteins present in the extract, as well as from loosely bound elongation factors, by high-salt gel filtration chromatography. We found that under these conditions the nascent RNA was displaced from the DNA during elongation. These column-purified complexes were used to analyze the activities of different transcription factors during elongation by RNA polymerase II. We found that transcription factor IIS (TFIIS), TFIIF, and TFIIX affected the efficiency of elongation through the adenovirus major late promoter attenuation site and a synthetic attenuation site composed of eight T residues. These factors have distinct activities that depend on whether they are added before RNA polymerase has reached the attenuation site or at the time when the polymerase is pausing at the attenuation site. TFIIS was found to have antiattenuation activity, while TFIIF and TFIIX stimulated the rate of elongation. In comparison with TFIIF, TFIIS is loosely bound to the elongation complex. We also found that the activities of the factors are dependent on the nature of the attenuator. These results indicate that at least three factors play a major role during elongation by RNA polymerase II.

scholarly journals The Escherichia coli major exoribonuclease RNase II is a component of the RNA degradosome

2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Lu ◽  
Aziz Taghbalout
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Rna Processing ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Rna Degradation ◽  
The Other ◽  
Polynucleotide Phosphorylase ◽  
Cell Extracts ◽  
Domains Of Life ◽  
Rna Degradosome ◽  
Rnase Ii

Multiprotein complexes that carry out RNA degradation and processing functions are found in cells from all domains of life. In Escherichia coli, the RNA degradosome, a four-protein complex, is required for normal RNA degradation and processing. In addition to the degradosome complex, the cell contains other ribonucleases that also play important roles in RNA processing and/or degradation. Whether the other ribonucleases are associated with the degradosome or function independently is not known. In the present work, IP (immunoprecipitation) studies from cell extracts showed that the major hydrolytic exoribonuclease RNase II is associated with the known degradosome components RNaseE (endoribonuclease E), RhlB (RNA helicase B), PNPase (polynucleotide phosphorylase) and Eno (enolase). Further evidence for the RNase II-degradosome association came from the binding of RNase II to purified RNaseE in far western affinity blot experiments. Formation of the RNase II–degradosome complex required the degradosomal proteins RhlB and PNPase as well as a C-terminal domain of RNaseE that contains binding sites for the other degradosomal proteins. This shows that the RNase II is a component of the RNA degradosome complex, a previously unrecognized association that is likely to play a role in coupling and coordinating the multiple elements of the RNA degradation pathways.

scholarly journals A Mutation in the Bacillus subtilis rsbU Gene That Limits RNA Synthesis during Sporulation

2017 ◽  
Vol 199 (14) ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Rothstein ◽  
David Lazinski ◽  
Marcia S. Osburne ◽  
Abraham L. Sonenshein
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Sigma Factor ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Ethanol Stress ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Promoter Recognition ◽  
Bacillis Subtilis

ABSTRACT Mutants of Bacillis subtilis that are temperature sensitive for RNA synthesis during sporulation were isolated after selection with a 32P suicide agent. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that two of the mutants carried an identical lesion in the rsbU gene, which encodes a phosphatase that indirectly activates SigB, the stress-responsive RNA polymerase sigma factor. The mutation appeared to cause RsbU to be hyperactive, because the mutants were more resistant than the parent strain to ethanol stress. In support of this hypothesis, pseudorevertants that regained wild-type levels of sporulation at high temperature had secondary mutations that prevented expression of the mutant rsbU gene. The properties of these RsbU mutants support the idea that activation of SigB diminishes the bacterium's ability to sporulate. IMPORTANCE Most bacterial species encode multiple RNA polymerase promoter recognition subunits (sigma factors). Each sigma factor directs RNA polymerase to different sets of genes; each gene set typically encodes proteins important for responses to specific environmental conditions, such as changes in temperature, salt concentration, and nutrient availability. A selection for mutants of Bacillus subtilis that are temperature sensitive for RNA synthesis during sporulation unexpectedly yielded strains with a point mutation in rsbU, a gene that encodes a protein that normally activates sigma factor B (SigB) under conditions of salt stress. The mutation appears to cause RsbU, and therefore SigB, to be active inappropriately, thereby inhibiting, directly or indirectly, the ability of the cells to transcribe sporulation genes.

scholarly journals Identification and Characterization of the Binding Site of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus Phosphoprotein to RNA-Free Nucleoprotein

2015 ◽  
Vol 89 (7) ◽  
pp. 3484-3496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Galloux ◽  
Gaëlle Gabiane ◽  
Julien Sourimant ◽  
Charles-Adrien Richard ◽  
Patrick England ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Polymerase Activity ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Free Form ◽  
Mutant Form ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
Syncytial Virus

ABSTRACTThe RNA genome of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is constitutively encapsidated by the viral nucleoprotein N, thus forming a helical nucleocapsid. Polymerization of N along the genomic and antigenomic RNAs is concomitant to replication and requires the preservation of an unassembled monomeric nucleoprotein pool. To this end, and by analogy withParamyxoviridaeandRhabdoviridae, it is expected that the viral phosphoprotein P acts as a chaperone protein, forming a soluble complex with the RNA-free form of N (N0-P complex). Here, we have engineered a mutant form of N that is monomeric, is unable to bind RNA, still interacts with P, and could thus mimic the N0monomer. We used this N mutant, designated Nmono, as a substitute for N0in order to characterize the P regions involved in the N0-P complex formation. Using a series of P fragments, we determined by glutathioneS-transferase (GST) pulldown assays that the N and C termini of P are able to interact with Nmono. We analyzed the functional role of amino-terminal residues of P by site-directed mutagenesis, using an RSV polymerase activity assay based on a human RSV minireplicon, and found that several residues were critical for viral RNA synthesis. Using GST pulldown and surface plasmon resonance assays, we showed that these critical residues are involved in the interaction between P[1-40] peptide and Nmonoin vitro. Finally, we showed that overexpression of the peptide P[1-29] can inhibit the polymerase activity in the context of the RSV minireplicon, thus demonstrating that targeting the N0-P interaction could constitute a potential antiviral strategy.IMPORTANCERespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract illness in infants. Since no vaccine or efficient antiviral treatment is available against RSV, it is essential to better understand how the viral machinery functions in order to develop new antiviral strategies. RSV phosphoprotein P, the main RNA polymerase cofactor, is believed to function as a chaperon protein, maintaining N as a nonassembled, RNA-free protein (N0) competent for RNA encapsidation. In this paper, we provide the first evidence, to our knowledge, that the N terminus of P contains a domain that binds specifically to this RNA-free form of N. We further show that overexpression of a small peptide spanning this region of P can inhibit viral RNA synthesis. These findings extend our understanding of the function of RSV RNA polymerase and point to a new target for the development of drugs against this virus.

scholarly journals Regulation of Chlamydia Gene Expression by Tandem Promoters with Different Temporal Patterns

2015 ◽  
Vol 198 (2) ◽  
pp. 363-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Rosario ◽  
Ming Tan
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Transcriptional Regulation ◽  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Dna Supercoiling ◽  
Early Gene ◽  
Developmental Cycle ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Intracellular Infection

ABSTRACTChlamydiais a genus of pathogenic bacteria with an unusual intracellular developmental cycle marked by temporal waves of gene expression. The three main temporal groups of chlamydial genes are proposed to be controlled by separate mechanisms of transcriptional regulation. However, we have noted genes with discrepancies, such as the early genednaKand the midcycle genesbioYandpgk, which have promoters controlled by the late transcriptional regulators EUO and σ28. To resolve this issue, we analyzed the promoters of these three genesin vitroand inChlamydia trachomatisbacteria grown in cell culture. Transcripts from the σ28-dependent promoter of each gene were detected only at late times in the intracellular infection, bolstering the role of σ28RNA polymerase in late gene expression. In each case, however, expression prior to late times was due to a second promoter that was transcribed by σ66RNA polymerase, which is the major form of chlamydial polymerase. These results demonstrate that chlamydial genes can be transcribed from tandem promoters with different temporal profiles, leading to a composite expression pattern that differs from the expression profile of a single promoter. In addition, tandem promoters allow a gene to be regulated by multiple mechanisms of transcriptional regulation, such as DNA supercoiling or late regulation by EUO and σ28. We discuss how tandem promoters broaden the repertoire of temporal gene expression patterns in the chlamydial developmental cycle and can be used to fine-tune the expression of specific genes.IMPORTANCEChlamydiais a pathogenic bacterium that is responsible for the majority of infectious disease cases reported to the CDC each year. It causes an intracellular infection that is characterized by coordinated expression of chlamydial genes in temporal waves. Chlamydial transcription has been shown to be regulated by DNA supercoiling, alternative forms of RNA polymerase, and transcription factors, but the number of transcription factors found inChlamydiais far fewer than the number found in most bacteria. This report describes the use of tandem promoters that allow the temporal expression of a gene or operon to be controlled by more than one regulatory mechanism. This combinatorial strategy expands the range of expression patterns that are available to regulate chlamydial genes.

scholarly journals Mycobacterial HelD is a nucleic acids-clearing factor for RNA polymerase

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomáš Kouba ◽  
Tomáš Koval’ ◽  
Petra Sudzinová ◽  
Jiří Pospíšil ◽  
Barbora Brezovská ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Binding ◽  
Nucleic Acids ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Active Site ◽  
Mycobacterium Smegmatis ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Specific Interactions ◽  
Σ Factor ◽  
Polymerase Binding

SUMMARYRNA synthesis is central to life, and RNA polymerase depends on accessory factors for recovery from stalled states and adaption to environmental changes. Here we investigated the mechanism by which a helicase-like factor HelD recycles RNA polymerase. We report a cryo-EM structure of an unprecedented complex between the Mycobacterium smegmatis RNA polymerase and HelD. The crescent-shaped HelD simultaneously penetrates deep into two RNA polymerase channels that are responsible for DNA binding and substrate delivery to the active site, thereby locking RNA polymerase in an inactive state. We show that HelD prevents non-specific interactions between RNA polymerase and DNA and dissociates transcription elongation complexes, but does not inhibit RNA polymerase binding to the initiation σ factor. The liberated RNA polymerase can either stay dormant, sequestered by HelD, or upon HelD release, restart transcription. Our results provide insights into the architecture and regulation of the highly medically-relevant mycobacterial transcription machinery and define HelD as a clearing factor that removes undesirable nucleic acids from RNA polymerase.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document