scholarly journals Pause Sites Promote Transcriptional Termination of Mammalian RNA Polymerase II

2006 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 3986-3996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Gromak ◽  
Steven West ◽  
Nick J. Proudfoot
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Rna Cleavage ◽  
Actin Gene ◽  
General Role ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
Transcriptional Termination ◽  
A Site ◽  
Pause Site

ABSTRACT Polymerase II (Pol II) transcriptional termination depends on two independent genetic elements: poly(A) signals and downstream terminator sequences. The latter may either promote cotranscriptional RNA cleavage or pause elongating Pol II. We demonstrate that the previously characterized MAZ4 pause element promotes Pol II termination downstream of a poly(A) signal, dependent on both the proximity of the pause site and poly(A) signal and the strength of the poly(A) signal. The 5′→3′ exonuclease Xrn2 facilitates this pause-dependent termination by degrading the 3′ product of poly(A) site cleavage. The human β-actin gene also possesses poly(A) site proximal pause sequences, which like MAZ4 are G rich and promote transcriptional termination. Xrn2 depletion causes an increase in both steady-state RNA and Pol II levels downstream of the β-actin poly(A) site. Taken together, we provide new insights into the mechanism of pause site-mediated termination and establish a general role for the 5′→3′ exonuclease Xrn2 in Pol II termination.

scholarly journals An RNA Polymerase Pause Site Is Associated with the Immunoglobulin μs Poly(A) Site

2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 5606-5615 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martha L. Peterson ◽  
Shannon Bertolino ◽  
Frankie Davis
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Rna Processing ◽  
Immunoglobulin A ◽  
Expression Ratio ◽  
B Cell Maturation ◽  
Mrna Ratio ◽  
Site Use ◽  
A Site ◽  
Pause Site

ABSTRACT Immunoglobulin μ alternative RNA processing is regulated during B-cell maturation and requires balanced efficiencies of the competing splice (μm) and cleavage-polyadenylation (μs) reactions. When we deleted sequences 50 to 200 nucleotides beyond the μs poly(A) site, the μs/μm mRNA ratio decreased three- to eightfold in B, plasma, and nonlymphoid cells. The activity could not be localized to a smaller fragment but did function in heterologous contexts. Our data suggest that this region contains an RNA polymerase II pause site that enhances the use of the μs poly(A) site. First, known pause sites replaced the activity of the deleted fragment. Second, the μ fragment, when placed between tandem poly(A) sites, enhanced the use of the upstream poly(A) site. Finally, nuclear run-ons detected an increase in RNA polymerase loading just downstream from the μs poly(A) site, even when the poly(A) site was inactivated. When this μ fragment and another pause site were inserted 1 kb downstream from the μs poly(A) site, they no longer affected the mRNA expression ratio, suggesting that pause sites affect poly(A) site use over a limited distance. Fragments from the immunoglobulin A gene were also found to have RNA polymerase pause site activity.

scholarly journals A Nonconserved Surface of the TFIIB Zinc Ribbon Domain Plays a Direct Role in RNA Polymerase II Recruitment

2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (7) ◽  
pp. 2863-2874 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas C. Tubon ◽  
William P. Tansey ◽  
Winship Herr
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
Terminal Region ◽  
General Role ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
Zinc Ribbon

ABSTRACT The general transcription factor TFIIB is a highly conserved and essential component of the eukaryotic RNA polymerase II (pol II) transcription initiation machinery. It consists of a single polypeptide with two conserved structural domains: an amino-terminal zinc ribbon structure (TFIIBZR) and a carboxy-terminal core (TFIIBCORE). We have analyzed the role of the amino-terminal region of human TFIIB in transcription in vivo and in vitro. We identified a small nonconserved surface of the TFIIBZR that is required for pol II transcription in vivo and for different types of basal pol II transcription in vitro. Consistent with a general role in transcription, this TFIIBZR surface is directly involved in the recruitment of pol II to a TATA box-containing promoter. Curiously, although the amino-terminal human TFIIBZR domain can recruit both human pol II and yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) pol II, the yeast TFIIB amino-terminal region recruits yeast pol II but not human pol II. Thus, a critical process in transcription from many different promoters—pol II recruitment—has changed in sequence specificity during eukaryotic evolution.

Termination and pausing of RNA polymerase II downstream of yeast polyadenylation sites

1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 5159-5167
Author(s):  
L E Hyman ◽  
C L Moore
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Transcription Termination ◽  
In Vitro Synthesis ◽  
Polyadenylation Sites ◽  
Polymerase Pausing ◽  
A Site ◽  
Pause Site

Little is known about the transcriptional events which occur downstream of polyadenylation sites. Although the polyadenylation site of a gene can be easily identified, it has been difficult to determine the site of transcription termination in vivo because of the rapid processing of pre-mRNAs. Using an in vitro approach, we have shown that sequences from the 3' ends of two different Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes, ADH2 and GAL7, direct transcription termination and/or polymerase pausing in yeast nuclear extracts. In the case of the ADH2 sequence, the RNA synthesized in vitro ends approximately 50 to 150 nucleotides downstream of the poly(A) site. This RNA is not polyadenylated and may represent the primary transcript. A similarly sized nonpolyadenylated [poly(A)-] transcript can be detected in vivo from the same transcriptional template. A GAL7 template also directs the in vitro synthesis of an RNA which extends a short distance past the poly(A) site. However, a significant amount of the GAL7 RNA is polyadenylated at or close to the in vivo poly(A) site. Mutations of GAL7 or ADH2 poly(A) signals prevent polyadenylation but do not affect the in vitro synthesis of the extended poly(A)- transcript. Since transcription of the mutant template continues through this region in vivo, it is likely that a strong RNA polymerase II pause site lies within the 3'-end sequences. Our data support the hypothesis that the coupling of this pause site to a functional polyadenylation signal results in transcription termination.

scholarly journals Heat Shock Causes a Reversible Increase in RNA Polymerase II Occupancy Downstream of mRNA Genes, Consistent with a Global Loss in Transcriptional Termination

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph F. Cardiello ◽  
James A. Goodrich ◽  
Jennifer F. Kugel
Keyword(s):  
Heat Shock ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Transcriptional Repression ◽  
Normal Growth ◽  
Global Changes ◽  
Transcriptional Initiation ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
Transcriptional Termination ◽  
Number Of Genes

ABSTRACT Cellular transcriptional programs are tightly controlled but can profoundly change in response to environmental challenges or stress. Here we describe global changes in mammalian RNA polymerase II (Pol II) occupancy at mRNA genes in response to heat shock and after recovery from the stress. After a short heat shock, Pol II occupancy across thousands of genes decreased, consistent with widespread transcriptional repression, whereas Pol II occupancy increased at a small number of genes in a manner consistent with activation. Most striking, however, was loss of the Pol II peak near the 3′ ends of mRNA genes, coupled to a gain in polymerase occupancy extending tens of kilobases downstream of 3′ ends. Typical patterns of 3′ end occupancy were largely restored 60 min after cells returned to normal growth temperatures. These changes in polymerase occupancy revealed a heat shock-induced loss of normal termination, which was potent, global, and reversible. The occupancy of the termination factor CPSF73 at the 3′ ends of representative genes was reduced after heat shock, suggesting a mechanism for impaired termination. The data support a model in which heat shock induces widespread repression of transcriptional initiation and loss of transcription termination, which reverses as cells return to homeostasis.

scholarly journals Termination and pausing of RNA polymerase II downstream of yeast polyadenylation sites.

1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 5159-5167 ◽  
Author(s):  
L E Hyman ◽  
C L Moore
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Transcription Termination ◽  
In Vitro Synthesis ◽  
Polyadenylation Sites ◽  
Polymerase Pausing ◽  
A Site ◽  
Pause Site

Little is known about the transcriptional events which occur downstream of polyadenylation sites. Although the polyadenylation site of a gene can be easily identified, it has been difficult to determine the site of transcription termination in vivo because of the rapid processing of pre-mRNAs. Using an in vitro approach, we have shown that sequences from the 3' ends of two different Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes, ADH2 and GAL7, direct transcription termination and/or polymerase pausing in yeast nuclear extracts. In the case of the ADH2 sequence, the RNA synthesized in vitro ends approximately 50 to 150 nucleotides downstream of the poly(A) site. This RNA is not polyadenylated and may represent the primary transcript. A similarly sized nonpolyadenylated [poly(A)-] transcript can be detected in vivo from the same transcriptional template. A GAL7 template also directs the in vitro synthesis of an RNA which extends a short distance past the poly(A) site. However, a significant amount of the GAL7 RNA is polyadenylated at or close to the in vivo poly(A) site. Mutations of GAL7 or ADH2 poly(A) signals prevent polyadenylation but do not affect the in vitro synthesis of the extended poly(A)- transcript. Since transcription of the mutant template continues through this region in vivo, it is likely that a strong RNA polymerase II pause site lies within the 3'-end sequences. Our data support the hypothesis that the coupling of this pause site to a functional polyadenylation signal results in transcription termination.

scholarly journals Structure of the p53/RNA polymerase II assembly

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shu-Hao Liou ◽  
Sameer K. Singh ◽  
Robert H. Singer ◽  
Robert A. Coleman ◽  
Wei-Li Liu
Keyword(s):  
Dna Binding ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
P53 Protein ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Transactivation Domain ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
Dna Binding Activity ◽  
Regulated Gene Expression

AbstractThe tumor suppressor p53 protein activates expression of a vast gene network in response to stress stimuli for cellular integrity. The molecular mechanism underlying how p53 targets RNA polymerase II (Pol II) to regulate transcription remains unclear. To elucidate the p53/Pol II interaction, we have determined a 4.6 Å resolution structure of the human p53/Pol II assembly via single particle cryo-electron microscopy. Our structure reveals that p53’s DNA binding domain targets the upstream DNA binding site within Pol II. This association introduces conformational changes of the Pol II clamp into a further-closed state. A cavity was identified between p53 and Pol II that could possibly host DNA. The transactivation domain of p53 binds the surface of Pol II’s jaw that contacts downstream DNA. These findings suggest that p53’s functional domains directly regulate DNA binding activity of Pol II to mediate transcription, thereby providing insights into p53-regulated gene expression.

scholarly journals Underproduction of the Largest Subunit of RNA Polymerase II Causes Temperature Sensitivity, Slow Growth, and Inositol Auxotrophy in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Genetics ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 142 (3) ◽  
pp. 737-747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques Archambault ◽  
David B Jansma ◽  
James D Friesen
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Steady State ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Reporter Gene ◽  
Growth Medium ◽  
Temperature Sensitivity ◽  
Slow Growth ◽  
Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Genes Encoding

Abstract In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, mutations in genes encoding subunits of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) often give rise to a set of pleiotropic phenotypes that includes temperature sensitivity, slow growth and inositol auxotrophy. In this study, we show that these phenotypes can be brought about by a reduction in the intracellular concentration of RNAPII. Underproduction of RNAPII was achieved by expressing the gene (RPO21), encoding the largest subunit of the enzyme, from the LEU2 promoter or a weaker derivative of it, two promoters that can be repressed by the addition of leucine to the growth medium. We found that cells that underproduced RPO21 were unable to derepress fully the expression of a reporter gene under the control of the INO1 UAS. Our results indicate that temperature sensitivity, slow growth and inositol auxotrophy is a set of phenotypes that can be caused by lowering the steady-state amount of RNAPII; these results also lead to the prediction that some of the previously identified RNAPII mutations that confer this same set of phenotypes affect the assembly/stability of the enzyme. We propose a model to explain the hypersensitivity of INO1 transcription to mutations that affect components of the RNAPII transcriptional machinery.

scholarly journals RecQL5 Promotes Genome Stabilization through Two Parallel Mechanisms—Interacting with RNA Polymerase II and Acting as a Helicase

2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (10) ◽  
pp. 2460-2472 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Nurul Islam ◽  
David Fox ◽  
Rong Guo ◽  
Takemi Enomoto ◽  
Weidong Wang
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Transcriptional Regulators ◽  
Helicase Activity ◽  
Parallel Mechanisms ◽  
Recq Helicase ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
Kix Domain ◽  
Genome Stabilization

ABSTRACT The RecQL5 helicase is essential for maintaining genome stability and reducing cancer risk. To elucidate its mechanism of action, we purified a RecQL5-associated complex and identified its major component as RNA polymerase II (Pol II). Bioinformatics and structural modeling-guided mutagenesis revealed two conserved regions in RecQL5 as KIX and SRI domains, already known in transcriptional regulators for Pol II. The RecQL5-KIX domain binds both initiation (Pol IIa) and elongation (Pol IIo) forms of the polymerase, whereas the RecQL5-SRI domain interacts only with the elongation form. Fully functional RecQL5 requires both helicase activity and associations with the initiation polymerase, because mutants lacking either activity are partially defective in the suppression of sister chromatid exchange and resistance to camptothecin-induced DNA damage, and mutants lacking both activities are completely defective. We propose that RecQL5 promotes genome stabilization through two parallel mechanisms: by participation in homologous recombination-dependent DNA repair as a RecQ helicase and by regulating the initiation of Pol II to reduce transcription-associated replication impairment and recombination.

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.

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