scholarly journals Cyclin-Dependent Kinases and CTD Phosphatases in Cell Cycle Transcriptional Control: Conservation across Eukaryotic Kingdoms and Uniqueness to Plants

Cells ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 279
Author(s):  
Zhi-Liang Zheng

Cell cycle control is vital for cell proliferation in all eukaryotic organisms. The entire cell cycle can be conceptually separated into four distinct phases, Gap 1 (G1), DNA synthesis (S), G2, and mitosis (M), which progress sequentially. The precise control of transcription, in particular, at the G1 to S and G2 to M transitions, is crucial for the synthesis of many phase-specific proteins, to ensure orderly progression throughout the cell cycle. This mini-review highlights highly conserved transcriptional regulators that are shared in budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), Arabidopsis thaliana model plant, and humans, which have been separated for more than a billion years of evolution. These include structurally and/or functionally conserved regulators cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), RNA polymerase II C-terminal domain (CTD) phosphatases, and the classical versus shortcut models of Pol II transcriptional control. A few of CDKs and CTD phosphatases counteract to control the Pol II CTD Ser phosphorylation codes and are considered critical regulators of Pol II transcriptional process from initiation to elongation and termination. The functions of plant-unique CDKs and CTD phosphatases in relation to cell division are also briefly summarized. Future studies towards testing a cooperative transcriptional mechanism, which is proposed here and involves sequence-specific transcription factors and the shortcut model of Pol II CTD code modulation, across the three eukaryotic kingdoms will reveal how individual organisms achieve the most productive, large-scale transcription of phase-specific genes required for orderly progression throughout the entire cell cycle.

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 3161-3161
Author(s):  
Vicky Lock ◽  
Laurence Cooke ◽  
Murray Yule ◽  
Neil T Thompson ◽  
K. Della Croce ◽  
...  

Abstract Cyclin Dependent Kinases (CDKs) play a central role in the eukaryotic cell cycle. The activation of these kinases is modulated by the expression and binding of their regulatory cyclin partners. Their key role in cell cycle progression, coupled to evidence that pathways leading to their activation are deregulated in a number of human cancers makes them attractive therapeutic targets. More recently the role of CDKs 7, 8 and 9 in the regulation of transcription has been explored. CDK9 has been shown to play a role in the regulation of transcription via phosphorylation of RNA polymerase II (RNA pol II). The outcome of transcriptional inhibition via CDK9 exhibits significant variation between cell lines. B-Cell lymphoproliferative disorders, including CLL, rely on the expression of transcripts with a short half-life such as Mcl-1, Bcl-2 and XIAP for survival. In vitro studies have demonstrated that compounds with transcriptional inhibitory effects are effective pro-apoptotic agents in models of this disease. AT7519 is a potent inhibitor of cyclin dependent kinases 1, 2 and 9 and is currently in early phase clinical development. These studies profile the mechanism of action of AT7519 on CLL cells isolated from patients. Primary cell samples were isolated from a total of 15 patients with CLL with various stages of disease (8 Stage 0, 0/I or II and 7 Stage IV) and who were either treatment naïve or had received a variety of prior therapies. Patient samples were characterised for cytogenetic abnormalities (11q, 17p and 13q deletion or trisomy 12) as well IgVH mutation and ZAP70 expression. AT7519 was shown to induce apoptosis (by MTS, morphology and PARP cleavage) in these samples at concentrations of 100–700nM. AT7519 appears equally effective at inhibiting the survival of CLL cells harbouring a variety of mutations including those representative of patients that fall within poorer prognosis treatment groups. The amount of AT7519 required to induce cell death in 50% of the CLL cell population increased as exposure time was decreased but significant cell death was obtained at doses approximating to 1uM following 4–6h of treatment. These doses are equivalent to exposures achieved in ongoing AT7519 clinical studies indicating that cytotoxic doses can be achieved in patients on well tolerated schedules. The mechanism of AT7519 cytotoxic effects was investigated by western blotting for a variety of cell cycle and apoptotic markers following incubation with compound. Short term treatments (4–6h) resulted in inhibition of phosphorylation of the transcriptional marker RNA pol II and the downregulation of the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1. Additional antiapoptotic proteins including XIAP and Bcl-2 remained unchanged. The reduction in Mcl-1 protein levels was associated with an increase in the apoptotic marker cleaved PARP. No inhibition of cell cycle markers such as phospho-retinoblastoma protein was observed in the same samples suggesting that the cytotoxic effects of AT7519 in CLL patient samples is due to its transcriptional activity alone. Together the data suggest AT7519 offers a promising treatment strategy for patients with advanced B-cell leukemia and lymphoma.


2018 ◽  
Vol 218 (1) ◽  
pp. 171-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle D. Moran ◽  
Hui Kang ◽  
Ana V. Araujo ◽  
Trevin R. Zyla ◽  
Koji Saito ◽  
...  

In many cells, morphogenetic events are coordinated with the cell cycle by cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). For example, many mammalian cells display extended morphologies during interphase but round up into more spherical shapes during mitosis (high CDK activity) and constrict a furrow during cytokinesis (low CDK activity). In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, bud formation reproducibly initiates near the G1/S transition and requires activation of CDKs at a point called “start” in G1. Previous work suggested that CDKs acted by controlling the ability of cells to polarize Cdc42, a conserved Rho-family GTPase that regulates cell polarity and the actin cytoskeleton in many systems. However, we report that yeast daughter cells can polarize Cdc42 before CDK activation at start. This polarization operates via a positive feedback loop mediated by the Cdc42 effector Ste20. We further identify a major and novel locus of CDK action downstream of Cdc42 polarization, affecting the ability of several other Cdc42 effectors to localize to the polarity site.


eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine E Cucinotta ◽  
Rachel H Dell ◽  
Keean CA Braceros ◽  
Toshio Tsukiyama

Quiescence is a reversible G0 state essential for differentiation, regeneration, stem cell renewal, and immune cell activation. Necessary for long-term survival, quiescent chromatin is compact, hypoacetylated, and transcriptionally inactive. How transcription activates upon cell-cycle re-entry is undefined. Here we report robust, widespread transcription within the first minutes of quiescence exit. During quiescence, the chromatin-remodeling enzyme RSC was already bound to the genes induced upon quiescence exit. RSC depletion caused severe quiescence exit defects: a global decrease in RNA polymerase II (Pol II) loading, Pol II accumulation at transcription start sites, initiation from ectopic upstream loci, and aberrant antisense transcription. These phenomena were due to a combination of highly robust Pol II transcription and severe chromatin defects in the promoter regions and gene bodies. Together, these results uncovered multiple mechanisms by which RSC facilitates initiation and maintenance of large-scale, rapid gene expression despite a globally repressive chromatin state.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine E. Cucinotta ◽  
Rachel H. Dell ◽  
Keean C.A. Braceros ◽  
Toshio Tsukiyama

AbstractQuiescence is a reversible G0 state essential for differentiation, regeneration, stem cell renewal, and immune cell activation. Necessary for long-term survival, quiescent chromatin is compact, hypoacetylated, and transcriptionally inactive. How transcription activates upon cell-cycle re-entry is undefined. Here we report robust, widespread transcription within the first minutes of quiescence exit. During quiescence, the chromatin-remodeling enzyme RSC was already bound to the genes induced upon quiescence exit. RSC depletion caused severe quiescence exit defects: a global decrease in RNA polymerase II (Pol II) loading, Pol II accumulation at transcription start sites, initiation from ectopic upstream loci, and aberrant antisense transcription. These phenomena were due to a combination of highly robust Pol II transcription and severe chromatin defects in the promoter regions and gene bodies. Together, these results uncovered multiple mechanisms by which RSC facilitates initiation and maintenance of large-scale, rapid gene expression despite a globally repressive chromatin state.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yujing Huang ◽  
Jing Zhang ◽  
Xin Guo ◽  
Qing Wang ◽  
Zhongyang Liu ◽  
...  

AbstractHuman cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a ubiquitous pathogen belongs to the beta herpesvirus family. RNA2.7 is a viral long non-coding RNA accounting for more than 20% of total viral transcripts at early time of infection. By construction of RNA2.7 deleted mutant and genome transcriptomic analysis, RNA2.7 is demonstrated to repress host cellular RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-dependent transcription through inhibiting the phosphorylation of RNA polymerase II (Pol II). Co-immunoprecipitation, RNA immunoprecipitation and RNA electrophoretic mobility shift assay are followed to investigate its mechnism. A 145nt-in-length fragment in RNA2.7 is identified to bind to Pol II and block the interaction between Pol II and phosphorylated cyckin-dependent kinase 9 (phospho-CDK9). By inhibiting Pol II phosphorylation, RNA2.7 decreases the transcription and expression levels of chromatin licensing and DNA replication factor 1 (Cdt1) and cell division cycle gene 6 (Cdc6). Through above way, RNA2.7 prevents the entry of cells into S phase and facilitates viral DNA replication. Our results discover the functions of HCMV RNA2.7 in regulation of Pol II phosphorylation and cell cycle control during infection.Author summaryHuman cytomegalovirus (HCMV) RNA2.7 is a viral lncRNA that is most abundant during infection. Here we show that a 145nt-in-length fragment in RNA2.7 binds to RNA polymerase II (Pol II) and blocks the interaction between Pol II and phosphorylated cyckin-dependent kinase 9 (phospho-CDK9). By inhibiting Pol II phosphorylation, RNA2.7 decreases the transcription and expression levels of chromatin licensing and DNA replication factor 1 (Cdt1) and cell division cycle gene 6 (Cdc6), and blocks host cells entering into S phase. RNA2.7 is confirmed to facilitate viral DNA replication through decreasing Cdt1 and Cdc6. Therefore, our results discover the functions of HCMV RNA2.7 in regulation of Pol II phosphorylation and cell cycle control during infection.


2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (37) ◽  
pp. 22849-22857 ◽  
Author(s):  
Basil J. Greber ◽  
Juan M. Perez-Bertoldi ◽  
Kif Lim ◽  
Anthony T. Iavarone ◽  
Daniel B. Toso ◽  
...  

The human CDK-activating kinase (CAK), a complex composed of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 7, cyclin H, and MAT1, is a critical regulator of transcription initiation and the cell cycle. It acts by phosphorylating the C-terminal heptapeptide repeat domain of the RNA polymerase II (Pol II) subunit RPB1, which is an important regulatory event in transcription initiation by Pol II, and it phosphorylates the regulatory T-loop of CDKs that control cell cycle progression. Here, we have determined the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the catalytic module of human CAK, revealing the structural basis of its assembly and providing insight into CDK7 activation in this context. The unique third component of the complex, MAT1, substantially extends the interaction interface between CDK7 and cyclin H, explaining its role as a CAK assembly factor, and it forms interactions with the CDK7 T-loop, which may contribute to enhancing CAK activity. We have also determined the structure of the CAK in complex with the covalently bound inhibitor THZ1 in order to provide insight into the binding of inhibitors at the CDK7 active site and to aid in the rational design of therapeutic compounds.


1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 3308-3316 ◽  
Author(s):  
B R Cairns ◽  
N L Henry ◽  
R D Kornberg

The SWI1/ADR6, SWI2/SNF2, SWI3, SNF5, and SNF6 gene products are all required for proper transcriptional control of many genes in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Genetic studies indicated that these gene products might form a multiprotein SWI/SNF complex important for chromatin transitions preceding transcription from RNA polymerase II promoters. Biochemical studies identified a SWI/SNF complex containing these and at least six additional polypeptides. Here we show that the 29-kDa component of the SWI/SNF complex is identical to TFG3/TAF30/ANC1. Thus, a component of the SWI/SNF complex is also a member of the TFIIF and TFIID transcription complexes. TFG3 interacted with the SNF5 component of the SWI/SNF complex in protein interaction blots. TFG3 is significantly similar to ENL and AF-9, two proteins implicated in human acute leukemia. These results suggest that ENL and AF-9 proteins interact with the SNF5 component of the human SWI/SNF complex and raise the possibility that the SWI/SNF complex is involved in acute leukemia.


1994 ◽  
Vol 127 (2) ◽  
pp. 467-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
J P Tassan ◽  
S J Schultz ◽  
J Bartek ◽  
E A Nigg

The activity of cyclin-dependent kinases (cdks) depends on the phosphorylation of a residue corresponding to threonine 161 in human p34cdc2. One enzyme responsible for phosphorylating this critical residue has recently been purified from Xenopus and starfish. It was termed CAK (for cdk-activating kinase), and it was shown to contain p40MO15 as its catalytic subunit. In view of the cardinal role of cdks in cell cycle control, it is important to learn if and how CAK activity is regulated during the somatic cell cycle. Here, we report a molecular characterization of a human p40MO15 homologue and its associated CAK activity. We have cloned and sequenced a cDNA coding for human p40MO15, and raised specific polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against the corresponding protein expressed in Escherichia coli. These tools were then used to demonstrate that p40MO15 protein expression and CAK activity are constant throughout the somatic cell cycle. Gel filtration suggests that active CAK is a multiprotein complex, and immunoprecipitation experiments identify two polypeptides of 34 and 32 kD as likely complex partners of p40MO15. The association of the three proteins is near stoichiometric and invariant throughout the cell cycle. Immunocytochemistry and biochemical enucleation experiments both demonstrate that p40MO15 is nuclear at all stages of the cell cycle (except for mitosis, when the protein redistributes throughout the cell), although the p34cdc2/cyclin B complex, one of the major purported substrates of CAK, occurs in the cytoplasm until shortly before mitosis. The absence of obvious changes in CAK activity in exponentially growing cells constitutes a surprise. It suggests that the phosphorylation state of threonine 161 in p34cdc2 (and the corresponding residue in other cdks) may be regulated primarily by the availability of the cdk/cyclin substrates, and by phosphatase(s).


Science ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 262 (5142) ◽  
pp. 2050-2054 ◽  
Author(s):  
S van den Heuvel ◽  
E Harlow

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