Nano positioning system reveals the course of upstream and nontemplate DNA within the RNA polymerase II elongation complex

Negative supercoiling creates single-stranded patches of DNA that are substrates for AID-mediated mutagenesis

Antibody diversification necessitates targeted mutation of regions within the immunoglobulin locus by activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID). While AID is known to act on single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), the source, structure, and distribution of these substrates in vivo remain unclear. Using the technique of in situ bisulfite treatment, we characterized these substrates—which we found to be unique to actively transcribed genes—as short ssDNA regions, that are equally distributed on both DNA strands. We found that the frequencies of these ssDNA patches act as accurate predictors of AID activity at reporter genes in hypermutating and class switching B cells as well as in Escherichia coli. Importantly, these ssDNA patches rely on transcription, and we report that transcription-induced negative supercoiling enhances both ssDNA tract formation and AID mutagenesis. In addition, RNaseH1 expression does not impact the formation of these ssDNA tracts indicating that these structures are distinct from R-loops. These data emphasize the notion that these transcription-generated ssDNA tracts are one of many in vivo substrates for AID.

Creating an effective antibody-mediated immune response relies on processes that create antibodies of high affinity and of different functions in order to clear pathogens. Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) is an essential B cell–specific factor that is known to initiate these processes by deaminating dC on single-stranded DNA of actively transcribed genes. AID has also been implicated in deaminating dC at non-antibody genes, resulting in the disregulation of genes that may lead to B cell–related cancers. Until now, it has remained unknown what the source, structure, and distribution of the single-stranded DNA is that AID acts upon. By using a novel assay that allows direct detection of single-stranded DNA within intact cell nuclei, we observed patches of single-stranded DNA that are strongly correlated to the preferred activity of AID. Furthermore, we find that the activity of AID and single-stranded DNA patch formation can be enhanced by negative supercoiling of the DNA, which is a typical consequence of transcription. These findings allow us to better understand how AID is recruited to and mutates antibody genes as well as other genes implicated in cancers of B cell origin.

A nexus for gene expression-molecular mechanisms of Spt5 and NusG in the three domains of life

Evolutionary related multisubunit RNA polymerases (RNAPs) transcribe the genomes of all living organisms. Whereas the core subunits of RNAPs are universally conserved in all three domains of life—indicative of a common evolutionary descent—this only applies to one RNAP-associated transcription factor—Spt5, also known as NusG in bacteria. All other factors that aid RNAP during the transcription cycle are specific for the individual domain or only conserved between archaea and eukaryotes. Spt5 and its bacterial homologue NusG regulate gene expression in several ways by (i) modulating transcription processivity and promoter proximal pausing, (ii) coupling transcription and RNA processing or translation, and (iii) recruiting termination factors and thereby silencing laterally transferred DNA and protecting the genome against double-stranded DNA breaks. This review discusses recent discoveries that identify Spt5-like factors as evolutionary conserved nexus for the regulation and coordination of the machineries responsible for information processing in the cell.

T7 RNA polymerases backed up by covalently trapped proteins catalyze highly error prone transcription

RNA polymerases (RNAPs) transcribe genes through the barrier of nucleoproteins and site-specific DNA-binding proteins on their own or with the aid of accessory factors. Proteins are often covalently trapped on DNA by DNA damaging agents, forming DNA-protein cross-links (DPCs). However, little is known about how immobilized proteins affect transcription. To elucidate the effect of DPCs on transcription, we constructed DNA templates containing site-specific DPCs and performed in vitro transcription reactions using phage T7 RNAP. We show here that DPCs constitute strong but not absolute blocks to in vitro transcription catalyzed by T7 RNAP. More importantly, sequence analysis of transcripts shows that RNAPs roadblocked not only by DPCs but also by the stalled leading RNAP become highly error prone and generate mutations in the upstream intact template regions. This contrasts with the transcriptional mutations induced by conventional DNA lesions, which are delivered to the active site or its proximal position in RNAPs and cause direct misincorporation. Our data also indicate that the trailing RNAP stimulates forward translocation of the stalled leading RNAP, promoting the translesion bypass of DPCs. The present results provide new insights into the transcriptional fidelity and mutual interactions of RNAPs that encounter persistent roadblocks.

The initiation factor TFE and the elongation factor Spt4/5 compete for the RNAP clamp during transcription initiation and elongation

TFIIE and the archaeal homolog TFE enhance DNA strand separation of eukaryotic RNAPII and the archaeal RNAP during transcription initiation by an unknown mechanism. We have developed a fluorescently labeled recombinant M. jannaschii RNAP system to probe the archaeal transcription initiation complex, consisting of promoter DNA, TBP, TFB, TFE, and RNAP. We have localized the position of the TFE winged helix (WH) and Zinc ribbon (ZR) domains on the RNAP using single-molecule FRET. The interaction sites of the TFE WH domain and the transcription elongation factor Spt4/5 overlap, and both factors compete for RNAP binding. Binding of Spt4/5 to RNAP represses promoter-directed transcription in the absence of TFE, which alleviates this effect by displacing Spt4/5 from RNAP. During elongation, Spt4/5 can displace TFE from the RNAP elongation complex and stimulate processivity. Our results identify the RNAP “clamp” region as a regulatory hot spot for both transcription initiation and transcription elongation.

Sub1 and RPA associate with RNA polymerase II at different stages of transcription

Single-stranded DNA-binding proteins play many roles in nucleic acid metabolism, but their importance during transcription remains unclear. Quantitative proteomic analysis of RNA polymerase II (RNApII) preinitiation complexes (PICs) identified Sub1 and the replication protein A complex (RPA), both of which bind single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). Sub1, homolog of mammalian coactivator PC4, exhibits strong genetic interactions with factors necessary for promoter melting. Sub1 localizes near the transcription bubble in vitro and binds to promoters in vivo dependent upon PIC assembly. In contrast, RPA localizes to transcribed regions of active genes, strongly correlated with transcribing RNApII but independently of replication. RFA1 interacts genetically with transcription elongation factor genes. Interestingly, RPA levels increase at active promoters in cells carrying a Sub1 deletion or ssDNA-binding mutant, suggesting competition for a common binding site. We propose that Sub1 and RPA interact with the nontemplate strand of RNApII complexes during initiation and elongation, respectively.

Structural basis of initial RNA polymerase II transcription

Several RNA polymerase II–nucleic acid crystal structures reveal the transition of the initiating polymerase from the open complex (OC) state to the initially transcribing complex (ITC) containing several RNA nucleotides.

During transcription initiation by RNA polymerase (Pol) II, a transient open promoter complex (OC) is converted to an initially transcribing complex (ITC) containing short RNAs, and to a stable elongation complex (EC). We report structures of a Pol II–DNA complex mimicking part of the OC, and of complexes representing minimal ITCs with 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 nucleotide (nt) RNAs, with and without a non-hydrolyzable nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) in the insertion site +1. The partial OC structure reveals that Pol II positions the melted template strand opposite the active site. The ITC-mimicking structures show that two invariant lysine residues anchor the 3′-proximal phosphate of short RNAs. Short DNA–RNA hybrids adopt a tilted conformation that excludes the +1 template nt from the active site. NTP binding induces complete DNA translocation and the standard hybrid conformation. Conserved NTP contacts indicate a universal mechanism of NTP selection. The essential residue Q1078 in the closed trigger loop binds the NTP 2′-OH group, explaining how the trigger loop couples catalysis to NTP selection, suppressing dNTP binding and DNA synthesis.

Bacterial transcription terminators: the RNA 3'-end chronicles

The process of transcription termination is essential to proper expression of bacterial genes and, in many cases, to the regulation of bacterial gene expression. Two types of bacterial transcriptional terminators are known to control gene expression. Intrinsic terminators dissociate transcription complexes without the assistance of auxiliary factors. Rho-dependent terminators are sites of dissociation mediated by an RNA helicase called Rho. Despite decades of study, the molecular mechanisms of both intrinsic and Rho-dependent termination remain uncertain in key details. Most knowledge is based on the study of a small number of model terminators. The extent of sequence diversity among functional terminators and the extent of mechanistic variation as a function of sequence diversity are largely unknown. In this review, we consider the current state of knowledge about bacterial termination mechanisms and the relationship between terminator sequence and steps in the termination mechanism.

Application of the nano-positioning system to the analysis of fluorescence resonance energy transfer networks

Single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (sm-FRET) has been recently applied to distance and position estimation in macromolecular complexes. Here, we generalize the previously published Nano-Positioning System (NPS), a probabilistic method to analyze data obtained in such experiments, which accounts for effects of restricted rotational freedom of fluorescent dyes, as well as for limited knowledge of the exact dye positions due to attachment via flexible linkers. In particular we show that global data analysis of complete FRET networks is beneficial and that the measurement of FRET anisotropies in addition to FRET efficiencies can be used to determine accurately both position and orientation of the dyes. This measurement scheme improves localization accuracy substantially, and we can show that the improvement is a consequence of the more precise information about the transition dipole moment orientation of the dyes obtained by FRET anisotropy measurements. We discuss also rigid body docking of different macromolecules by means of NPS, which can be used to study the structure of macromolecular complexes. Finally, we combine our approach with common FRET analysis methods to determine the number of states of a macromolecule.

Interaction of RNA polymerase II fork loop 2 with downstream non-template DNA regulates transcription elongation

Fork loop 2 is a small semiconservative segment of the larger fork domain in the second largest Rpb2 subunit of RNA polymerase II (Pol II). This flexible loop, juxtaposed at the leading edge of transcription bubble, has been proposed to participate in DNA strand separation, translocation along DNA, and NTP loading to Pol II during elongation. Here we show that the Rpb2 mutant carrying a deletion of the flexible part of the loop is not lethal in yeast. The mutation exhibits no defects in DNA melting and translocation in vitro but confers a moderate decrease of the catalytic activity of the enzyme caused by the impaired sequestration of the NTP substrate in the active center prior to catalysis. In the structural model of the Pol II elongation complex, fork loop 2 directly interacts with an unpaired DNA residue in the non-template DNA strand one nucleotide ahead from the active center (the i+2 position). We showed that elimination of this putative interaction by replacement of the i+2 residue with an abasic site inhibits Pol II activity to the same degree as the deletion of fork loop 2. This replacement has no detectable effect on the activity of the mutant enzyme. We provide direct evidence that interaction of fork loop 2 with the non-template DNA strand facilitates NTP sequestration through interaction with the adjacent segment of the fork domain involved in the active center of Pol II.

DNA slip-outs cause RNA polymerase II arrest in vitro: potential implications for genetic instability

The abnormal number of repeats found in triplet repeat diseases arises from 'repeat instability', in which the repetitive section of DNA is subject to a change in copy number. Recent studies implicate transcription in a mechanism for repeat instability proposed to involve RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) arrest caused by a CTG slip-out, triggering transcription-coupled repair (TCR), futile cycles of which may lead to repeat expansion or contraction. In the present study, we use defined DNA constructs to directly test whether the structures formed by CAG and CTG repeat slip-outs can cause transcription arrest in vitro. We found that a slip-out of (CAG)(20) or (CTG)(20) repeats on either strand causes RNAPII arrest in HeLa cell nuclear extracts. Perfect hairpins and loops on either strand also cause RNAPII arrest. These findings are consistent with a transcription-induced repeat instability model in which transcription arrest in mammalian cells may initiate a 'gratuitous' TCR event leading to a change in repeat copy number. An understanding of the underlying mechanism of repeat instability could lead to intervention to slow down expansion and delay the onset of many neurodegenerative diseases in which triplet repeat expansion is implicated.

Repair and biochemical effects of DNA-protein crosslinks

Genomic DNA is associated with various structural, regulatory, and transaction proteins. The dynamic and reversible association between proteins and DNA ensures the accurate expression and propagation of genetic information. However, various endogenous, environmental, and chemotherapeutic agents induce DNA-protein crosslinks (DPCs), and hence covalently trap proteins on DNA. Since DPCs are extremely large compared to conventional DNA lesions, they probably impair many aspects of DNA transactions such as replication, transcription, and repair due to steric hindrance. Recent genetic and biochemical studies have shed light on the elaborate molecular mechanism by which cells repair or tolerate DPCs. This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the repair and biochemical effects of the most ubiquitous form of DPCs, which are associated with no flanked DNA strand breaks. In bacteria small DPCs are eliminated by nucleotide excision repair (NER), whereas oversized DPCs are processed by RecBCD-dependent homologous recombination (HR). NER does not participate in the repair of DPCs in mammalian cells, since the upper size limit of DPCs amenable to mammalian NER is smaller than that of bacterial NER. Thus, DPCs are processed exclusively by HR. The reactivation of the stalled replication fork at DPCs by HR seems to involve fork breakage in mammalian cells but not in bacterial cells. In addition, recent proteomic studies have identified the numbers of proteins in DPCs induced by environmental and chemotherapeutic agents. However, it remains largely elusive how DPCs affect replication and transcription at the molecular level. Considering the extremely large nature of DPCs, it is possible that they impede the progression of replication and transcription machineries by mechanisms different from those for conventional DNA lesions. This might also be true for the DNA damage response and signaling mechanism.

Single-molecule studies of RNA polymerase: one singular sensation, every little step it takes

Transcription is the first of many biochemical steps that turn the genetic information found in DNA into the proteins responsible for driving cellular processes. In this review, we highlight certain advantages of single-molecule techniques in the study of prokaryotic and eukaryotic transcription, and the specific ways in which these techniques complement conventional, ensemble-based biochemistry. We focus on recent literature, highlighting examples where single-molecule methods have provided fresh insights into mechanism. We also present recent technological advances and outline future directions in the field.

Architecture of the RNA polymerase-Spt4/5 complex and basis of universal transcription processivity

Spt5 and NusG play a conserved role in stimulating RNA polymerase II transcription elongation and processivity. Here, the crystal structure of Spt4/5 bound to the RNA polymerase clamp domain reveals that the factor binds above DNA and RNA in the active centre cleft preventing premature dissociation of the polymerase.

Related RNA polymerases (RNAPs) carry out cellular gene transcription in all three kingdoms of life. The universal conservation of the transcription machinery extends to a single RNAP-associated factor, Spt5 (or NusG in bacteria), which renders RNAP processive and may have arisen early to permit evolution of long genes. Spt5 associates with Spt4 to form the Spt4/5 heterodimer. Here, we present the crystal structure of archaeal Spt4/5 bound to the RNAP clamp domain, which forms one side of the RNAP active centre cleft. The structure revealed a conserved Spt5–RNAP interface and enabled modelling of complexes of Spt4/5 counterparts with RNAPs from all kingdoms of life, and of the complete yeast RNAP II elongation complex with bound Spt4/5. The N-terminal NGN domain of Spt5/NusG closes the RNAP active centre cleft to lock nucleic acids and render the elongation complex stable and processive. The C-terminal KOW1 domain is mobile, but its location is restricted to a region between the RNAP clamp and wall above the RNA exit tunnel, where it may interact with RNA and/or other factors.

Single-molecule studies of transcription: from one RNA polymerase at a time to the gene expression profile of a cell

Single-molecule techniques have emerged as powerful tools for deciphering mechanistic details of transcription and have yielded discoveries that would otherwise have been impossible to make through the use of more traditional biochemical and/or biophysical techniques. Here, we provide a brief overview of single-molecule techniques most commonly used for studying RNA polymerase and transcription. We then present specific examples of single-molecule studies that have contributed to our understanding of key mechanistic details for each different stage of the transcription cycle. Finally, we discuss emerging single-molecule approaches and future directions, including efforts to study transcription at the single-molecule level in living cells.

FRET (fluorescence resonance energy transfer) sheds light on transcription

The complex organization of the transcription machinery has been revealed mainly by biochemical and crystallographic studies. X-ray structures describe RNA polymerases and transcription complexes on an atomic level, but fail to portray their dynamic nature. The use of fluorescence techniques has made it possible to add a new layer of information to our understanding of transcription by providing details about the structural rearrangement of mobile elements and the network of interactions within transcription complexes in solution and in real-time.

Towards molecular systems biology of gene transcription and regulation

Ten years after the determination of the RNA polymerase II structure, the basic mechanism of mRNA synthesis during gene transcription is known. In the future, the initiation and regulation of transcription must be studied with a combination of structural biology, biochemistry, functional genomics, and computational methods. In this article, the efforts of our laboratory to move from an integrated structural biology of gene transcription towards molecular systems biology of gene regulation are reviewed.

RNA polymerase and transcription elongation factor Spt4/5 complex structure

Spt4/5 in archaea and eukaryote and its bacterial homolog NusG is the only elongation factor conserved in all three domains of life and plays many key roles in cotranscriptional regulation and in recruiting other factors to the elongating RNA polymerase. Here, we present the crystal structure of Spt4/5 as well as the structure of RNA polymerase-Spt4/5 complex using cryoelectron microscopy reconstruction and single particle analysis. The Spt4/5 binds in the middle of RNA polymerase claw and encloses the DNA, reminiscent of the DNA polymerase clamp and ring helicases. The transcription elongation complex model reveals that the Spt4/5 is an upstream DNA holder and contacts the nontemplate DNA in the transcription bubble. These structures reveal that the cellular RNA polymerases also use a strategy of encircling DNA to enhance its processivity as commonly observed for many nucleic acid processing enzymes including DNA polymerases and helicases.

Cycling through transcription with the RNA polymerase F/E (RPB4/7) complex: structure, function and evolution of archaeal RNA polymerase

RNA polymerases (RNAPs) from the three domains of life, Bacteria, Archaea and Eukarya, are evolutionarily related and thus have common structural and functional features. Despite the radically different morphology of Archaea and Eukarya, their RNAP subunit composition and utilisation of basal transcription factors are almost identical. This review focuses on the multiple functions of the most prominent feature that differentiates these enzymes from the bacterial RNAP--a stalk-like protrusion, which consists of the heterodimeric F/E subcomplex. F/E is highly versatile, it facilitates DNA strand-separation during transcription initiation, increases processivity during the elongation phase of transcription and ensures efficient transcription termination.

Hold on!: RNA polymerase interactions with the nascent RNA modulate transcription elongation and termination

Evolutionary related multisubunit RNA polymerases from all three domains of life, Eukarya, Archaea and Bacteria, have common structural and functional properties. We have recently shown that two RNAP subunits, F/E (RPB4/7)-which are conserved between eukaryotes and Archaea but have no bacterial homologues-interact with the nascent RNA chain and thereby profoundly modulate RNAP activity. Overall F/E increases transcription processivity, but it also stimulates transcription termination in a sequence-dependent manner. In addition to RNA-binding, these two apparently opposed processes are likely to involve an allosteric mechanism of the RNAP clamp. Spt4/5 is the only known RNAP-associated transcription factor that is conserved in all three domains of life, and it stimulates elongation similar to RNAP subunits F/E. Spt4/5 enhances processivity in a fashion that is independent of the nontemplate DNA strand, by interacting with the RNAP clamp. Whereas the molecular mechanism of Spt4/5 is universally conserved in evolution, the added functionality of F/E-like complexes has emerged after the split of the bacterial and archaeoeukaryotic lineages. Interestingly, bacteriophage-encoded antiterminator proteins could, in theory, fulfil an analogous function in the bacterial RNAP.

Spt4/5 stimulates transcription elongation through the RNA polymerase clamp coiled-coil motif

Spt5 is the only known RNA polymerase-associated factor that is conserved in all three domains of life. We have solved the structure of the Methanococcus jannaschii Spt4/5 complex by X-ray crystallography, and characterized its function and interaction with the archaeal RNAP in a wholly recombinant in vitro transcription system. Archaeal Spt4 and Spt5 form a stable complex that associates with RNAP independently of the DNA–RNA scaffold of the elongation complex. The association of Spt4/5 with RNAP results in a stimulation of transcription processivity, both in the absence and the presence of the non-template strand. A domain deletion analysis reveals the molecular anatomy of Spt4/5—the Spt5 Nus-G N-terminal (NGN) domain is the effector domain of the complex that both mediates the interaction with RNAP and is essential for its elongation activity. Using a mutagenesis approach, we have identified a hydrophobic pocket on the Spt5 NGN domain as binding site for RNAP, and reciprocally the RNAP clamp coiled-coil motif as binding site for Spt4/5.

RNA polymerase II-TFIIB structure and mechanism of transcription initiation

To initiate gene transcription, RNA polymerase II (Pol II) requires the transcription factor IIB (B). Here we present the crystal structure of the complete Pol II-B complex at 4.3 A resolution, and complementary functional data. The results indicate the mechanism of transcription initiation, including the transition to RNA elongation. Promoter DNA is positioned over the Pol II active centre cleft with the 'B-core' domain that binds the wall at the end of the cleft. DNA is then opened with the help of the 'B-linker' that binds the Pol II rudder and clamp coiled-coil at the edge of the cleft. The DNA template strand slips into the cleft and is scanned for the transcription start site with the help of the 'B-reader' that approaches the active site. Synthesis of the RNA chain and rewinding of upstream DNA displace the B-reader and B-linker, respectively, to trigger B release and elongation complex formation.