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Abstract
Transcription and splicing are fundamental steps in gene expression. These processes have been studied intensively over the past four decades, and very recent findings are challenging some of the formerly established ideas. In particular, splicing was shown to occur much faster than previously thought, with the first spliced products observed as soon as splice junctions emerge from RNA polymerase II (Pol II). Splicing was also found coupled to a specific phosphorylation pattern of Pol II carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD), suggesting a new layer of complexity in the CTD code. Moreover, phosphorylation of the CTD may be scarcer than expected, and other post-translational modifications of the CTD are emerging with unanticipated roles in gene expression regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noélia Custódio
- a Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa , Lisboa , Portugal
| | - Maria Carmo-Fonseca
- a Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa , Lisboa , Portugal
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52
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Phosphatase Rtr1 Regulates Global Levels of Serine 5 RNA Polymerase II C-Terminal Domain Phosphorylation and Cotranscriptional Histone Methylation. Mol Cell Biol 2016; 36:2236-45. [PMID: 27247267 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00870-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2015] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In eukaryotes, the C-terminal domain (CTD) of Rpb1 contains a heptapeptide repeat sequence of (Y1S2P3T4S5P6S7)n that undergoes reversible phosphorylation through the opposing action of kinases and phosphatases. Rtr1 is a conserved protein that colocalizes with RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) and has been shown to be important for the transition from elongation to termination during transcription by removing RNAPII CTD serine 5 phosphorylation (Ser5-P) at a selection of target genes. In this study, we show that Rtr1 is a global regulator of the CTD code with deletion of RTR1 causing genome-wide changes in Ser5-P CTD phosphorylation and cotranscriptional histone H3 lysine 36 trimethylation (H3K36me3). Using chromatin immunoprecipitation and high-resolution microarrays, we show that RTR1 deletion results in global changes in RNAPII Ser5-P levels on genes with different lengths and transcription rates consistent with its role as a CTD phosphatase. Although Ser5-P levels increase, the overall occupancy of RNAPII either decreases or stays the same in the absence of RTR1 Additionally, the loss of Rtr1 in vivo leads to increases in H3K36me3 levels genome-wide, while total histone H3 levels remain relatively constant within coding regions. Overall, these findings suggest that Rtr1 regulates H3K36me3 levels through changes in the number of binding sites for the histone methyltransferase Set2, thereby influencing both the CTD and histone codes.
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53
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Hollander D, Naftelberg S, Lev-Maor G, Kornblihtt AR, Ast G. How Are Short Exons Flanked by Long Introns Defined and Committed to Splicing? Trends Genet 2016; 32:596-606. [PMID: 27507607 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2016.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2016] [Revised: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The splice sites (SSs) delimiting an intron are brought together in the earliest step of spliceosome assembly yet it remains obscure how SS pairing occurs, especially when introns are thousands of nucleotides long. Splicing occurs in vivo in mammals within minutes regardless of intron length, implying that SS pairing can instantly follow transcription. Also, factors required for SS pairing, such as the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) and U2AF65, associate with RNA polymerase II (RNAPII), while nucleosomes preferentially bind exonic sequences and associate with U2 snRNP. Based on recent publications, we assume that the 5' SS-bound U1 snRNP can remain tethered to RNAPII until complete synthesis of the downstream intron and exon. An additional U1 snRNP then binds the downstream 5' SS, whereas the RNAPII-associated U2AF65 binds the upstream 3' SS to facilitate SS pairing along with exon definition. Next, the nucleosome-associated U2 snRNP binds the branch site to advance splicing complex assembly. This may explain how RNAPII and chromatin are involved in spliceosome assembly and how introns lengthened during evolution with a relatively minimal compromise in splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dror Hollander
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Shiran Naftelberg
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Galit Lev-Maor
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Alberto R Kornblihtt
- IFIBYNE-UBA-CONICET and Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón II, C1428EHA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gil Ast
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv 69978, Israel.
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54
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Ahn JH, Rechsteiner A, Strome S, Kelly WG. A Conserved Nuclear Cyclophilin Is Required for Both RNA Polymerase II Elongation and Co-transcriptional Splicing in Caenorhabditis elegans. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1006227. [PMID: 27541139 PMCID: PMC4991786 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The elongation phase of transcription by RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) involves numerous events that are tightly coordinated, including RNA processing, histone modification, and chromatin remodeling. RNA splicing factors are associated with elongating Pol II, and the interdependent coupling of splicing and elongation has been documented in several systems. Here we identify a conserved, multi-domain cyclophilin family member, SIG-7, as an essential factor for both normal transcription elongation and co-transcriptional splicing. In embryos depleted for SIG-7, RNA levels for over a thousand zygotically expressed genes are substantially reduced, Pol II becomes significantly reduced at the 3' end of genes, marks of transcription elongation are reduced, and unspliced mRNAs accumulate. Our findings suggest that SIG-7 plays a central role in both Pol II elongation and co-transcriptional splicing and may provide an important link for their coordination and regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong H. Ahn
- Biology Department, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Andreas Rechsteiner
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California
| | - Susan Strome
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California
| | - William G. Kelly
- Biology Department, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
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55
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Inada M, Nichols RJ, Parsa JY, Homer CM, Benn RA, Hoxie RS, Madhani HD, Shuman S, Schwer B, Pleiss JA. Phospho-site mutants of the RNA Polymerase II C-terminal domain alter subtelomeric gene expression and chromatin modification state in fission yeast. Nucleic Acids Res 2016; 44:9180-9189. [PMID: 27402158 PMCID: PMC5100562 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic gene expression requires that RNA Polymerase II (RNAP II) gain access to DNA in the context of chromatin. The C-terminal domain (CTD) of RNAP II recruits chromatin modifying enzymes to promoters, allowing for transcription initiation or repression. Specific CTD phosphorylation marks facilitate recruitment of chromatin modifiers, transcriptional regulators, and RNA processing factors during the transcription cycle. However, the readable code for recruiting such factors is still not fully defined and how CTD modifications affect related families of genes or regional gene expression is not well understood. Here, we examine the effects of manipulating the Y1S2P3T4S5P6S7 heptapeptide repeat of the CTD of RNAP II in Schizosaccharomyces pombe by substituting non-phosphorylatable alanines for Ser2 and/or Ser7 and the phosphomimetic glutamic acid for Ser7. Global gene expression analyses were conducted using splicing-sensitive microarrays and validated via RT-qPCR. The CTD mutations did not affect pre-mRNA splicing or snRNA levels. Rather, the data revealed upregulation of subtelomeric genes and alteration of the repressive histone H3 lysine 9 methylation (H3K9me) landscape. The data further indicate that H3K9me and expression status are not fully correlated, suggestive of CTD-dependent subtelomeric repression mechansims that act independently of H3K9me levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maki Inada
- Biology Department, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | | | - Jahan-Yar Parsa
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Christina M Homer
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Ruby A Benn
- Biology Department, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Reyal S Hoxie
- Biology Department, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Hiten D Madhani
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Stewart Shuman
- Molecular Biology Program, Sloan-Kettering Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Beate Schwer
- Department of Microbiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Pleiss
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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56
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Garrido-Lecca A, Saldi T, Blumenthal T. Localization of RNAPII and 3' end formation factor CstF subunits on C. elegans genes and operons. Transcription 2016; 7:96-110. [PMID: 27124504 DOI: 10.1080/21541264.2016.1168509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription termination is mechanistically coupled to pre-mRNA 3' end formation to prevent transcription much beyond the gene 3' end. C. elegans, however, engages in polycistronic transcription of operons in which 3' end formation between genes is not accompanied by termination. We have performed RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) and CstF ChIP-seq experiments to investigate at a genome-wide level how RNAPII can transcribe through multiple poly-A signals without causing termination. Our data shows that transcription proceeds in some ways as if operons were composed of multiple adjacent single genes. Total RNAPII shows a small peak at the promoter of the gene cluster and a much larger peak at 3' ends. These 3' peaks coincide with maximal phosphorylation of Ser2 within the C-terminal domain (CTD) of RNAPII and maximal localization of the 3' end formation factor CstF. This pattern occurs at all 3' ends including those at internal sites in operons where termination does not occur. Thus the normal mechanism of 3' end formation does not always result in transcription termination. Furthermore, reduction of CstF50 by RNAi did not substantially alter the pattern of CstF64, total RNAPII, or Ser2 phosphorylation at either internal or terminal 3' ends. However, CstF50 RNAi did result in a subtle reduction of CstF64 binding upstream of the site of 3' cleavage, suggesting that the CstF50/CTD interaction may facilitate bringing the 3' end machinery to the transcription complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Garrido-Lecca
- a Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology , University of Colorado , Boulder , CO , USA
| | - Tassa Saldi
- a Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology , University of Colorado , Boulder , CO , USA
| | - Thomas Blumenthal
- a Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology , University of Colorado , Boulder , CO , USA
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57
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Saldi T, Cortazar MA, Sheridan RM, Bentley DL. Coupling of RNA Polymerase II Transcription Elongation with Pre-mRNA Splicing. J Mol Biol 2016; 428:2623-2635. [PMID: 27107644 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2016.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Revised: 03/27/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Pre-mRNA maturation frequently occurs at the same time and place as transcription by RNA polymerase II. The co-transcriptionality of mRNA processing has permitted the evolution of mechanisms that functionally couple transcription elongation with diverse events that occur on the nascent RNA. This review summarizes the current understanding of the relationship between transcriptional elongation through a chromatin template and co-transcriptional splicing including alternative splicing decisions that affect the expression of most human genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tassa Saldi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, P.O. Box 6511, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Michael A Cortazar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, P.O. Box 6511, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Ryan M Sheridan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, P.O. Box 6511, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - David L Bentley
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, P.O. Box 6511, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
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58
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Shutoff of Host Gene Expression in Influenza A Virus and Herpesviruses: Similar Mechanisms and Common Themes. Viruses 2016; 8:102. [PMID: 27092522 PMCID: PMC4848596 DOI: 10.3390/v8040102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Revised: 04/04/2016] [Accepted: 04/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to shut off host gene expression is a shared feature of many viral infections, and it is thought to promote viral replication by freeing host cell machinery and blocking immune responses. Despite the molecular differences between viruses, an emerging theme in the study of host shutoff is that divergent viruses use similar mechanisms to enact host shutoff. Moreover, even viruses that encode few proteins often have multiple mechanisms to affect host gene expression, and we are only starting to understand how these mechanisms are integrated. In this review we discuss the multiplicity of host shutoff mechanisms used by the orthomyxovirus influenza A virus and members of the alpha- and gamma-herpesvirus subfamilies. We highlight the surprising similarities in their mechanisms of host shutoff and discuss how the different mechanisms they use may play a coordinated role in gene regulation.
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59
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Dias JD, Rito T, Torlai Triglia E, Kukalev A, Ferrai C, Chotalia M, Brookes E, Kimura H, Pombo A. Methylation of RNA polymerase II non-consensus Lysine residues marks early transcription in mammalian cells. eLife 2015; 4. [PMID: 26687004 PMCID: PMC4758952 DOI: 10.7554/elife.11215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Dynamic post-translational modification of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) coordinates the co-transcriptional recruitment of enzymatic complexes that regulate chromatin states and processing of nascent RNA. Extensive phosphorylation of serine residues at the largest RNAPII subunit occurs at its structurally-disordered C-terminal domain (CTD), which is composed of multiple heptapeptide repeats with consensus sequence Y1-S2-P3-T4-S5-P6-S7. Serine-5 and Serine-7 phosphorylation mark transcription initiation, whereas Serine-2 phosphorylation coincides with productive elongation. In vertebrates, the CTD has eight non-canonical substitutions of Serine-7 into Lysine-7, which can be acetylated (K7ac). Here, we describe mono- and di-methylation of CTD Lysine-7 residues (K7me1 and K7me2). K7me1 and K7me2 are observed during the earliest transcription stages and precede or accompany Serine-5 and Serine-7 phosphorylation. In contrast, K7ac is associated with RNAPII elongation, Serine-2 phosphorylation and mRNA expression. We identify an unexpected balance between RNAPII K7 methylation and acetylation at gene promoters, which fine-tunes gene expression levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- João D Dias
- Epigenetic Regulation and Chromatin Architecture Group, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max-Delbrück Centre for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.,Genome Function Group, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,Graduate Program in Areas of Basic and Applied Biology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Tiago Rito
- Epigenetic Regulation and Chromatin Architecture Group, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max-Delbrück Centre for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elena Torlai Triglia
- Epigenetic Regulation and Chromatin Architecture Group, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max-Delbrück Centre for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexander Kukalev
- Epigenetic Regulation and Chromatin Architecture Group, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max-Delbrück Centre for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carmelo Ferrai
- Epigenetic Regulation and Chromatin Architecture Group, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max-Delbrück Centre for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.,Genome Function Group, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mita Chotalia
- Genome Function Group, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emily Brookes
- Genome Function Group, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hiroshi Kimura
- Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Ana Pombo
- Epigenetic Regulation and Chromatin Architecture Group, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max-Delbrück Centre for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.,Genome Function Group, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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60
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Occupancy of RNA Polymerase II Phosphorylated on Serine 5 (RNAP S5P) and RNAP S2P on Varicella-Zoster Virus Genes 9, 51, and 66 Is Independent of Transcript Abundance and Polymerase Location within the Gene. J Virol 2015; 90:1231-43. [PMID: 26559844 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02617-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 11/05/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Regulation of gene transcription in varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a ubiquitous human neurotropic alphaherpesvirus, requires coordinated binding of multiple host and virus proteins onto specific regions of the virus genome. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) is widely used to determine the location of specific proteins along a genomic region. Since the size range of sheared virus DNA fragments governs the limit of accurate protein localization, particularly for compact herpesvirus genomes, we used a quantitative PCR (qPCR)-based assay to determine the efficiency of VZV DNA shearing before ChIP, after which the assay was used to determine the relationship between transcript abundance and the occupancy of phosphorylated RNA polymerase II (RNAP) on the gene promoter, body, and terminus of VZV genes 9, 51, and 66. The abundance of VZV gene 9, 51, and 66 transcripts in VZV-infected human fetal lung fibroblasts was determined by reverse transcription-linked quantitative PCR. Our results showed that the C-terminal domain of RNAP is hyperphosphorylated at serine 5 (S5(P)) on VZV genes 9, 51, and 66 independently of transcript abundance and the location within the virus gene at both 1 and 3 days postinfection (dpi). In contrast, phosphorylated serine 2 (S2(P))-modified RNAP was not detected at any virus gene location at 3 dpi and was detected at levels only slightly above background levels at 1 dpi. IMPORTANCE Regulation of herpesvirus gene transcription is an elaborate choreography between proteins and DNA that is revealed by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). We used a quantitative PCR-based assay to determine fragment size after DNA shearing, a critical parameter in ChIP assays, and exposed a basic difference in the mechanism of transcription between mammalian cells and VZV. We found that hyperphosphorylation at serine 5 of the C-terminal domain of RNAP along the lengths of VZV genes (the promoter, body, and transcription termination site) was independent of mRNA abundance. In contrast, little to no enrichment of serine 3 phosphorylation of RNAP was detected at these virus gene regions. This is distinct from the findings for RNAP at highly regulated host genes, where RNAP S5(P) occupancy decreased and S2(P) levels increased as the polymerase transited through the gene. Overall, these results suggest that RNAP associates with human and virus transcriptional units through different mechanisms.
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61
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Wei H, Wang Q, DU J, Li X, Zhang N, Cao Y, Ma W. Unique subcellular distribution of RPB1 with a phosphorylated C-terminal domain (CTD) in mouse oocytes during meiotic division and its relationship with chromosome separation. J Reprod Dev 2015; 61:541-8. [PMID: 26346254 PMCID: PMC4685220 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2015-051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Polymerase (RNA) II (DNA directed) polypeptide A (RPB1) is the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II
(RNAPII), and phosphorylation of its C-terminal domain (CTD) is required for transcription initiation,
elongation and RNA processing. Little is known about the CTD phosphorylation pattern and potential function
during cell division when transcription is silenced. In this study, we assessed the protein expression and
subcellular distribution of RPB1 during mouse oocyte meiotic division. Western blot analysis revealed that the
RPB1 CTD was highly phosphorylated on Ser2 (pRPB1Ser2), Ser5 (pRPB1Ser5) and Ser7
(pRPB1Ser7). High and stable expression of pRPB1Ser2 and pRPB1Ser5 was
detected from germinal vesicle (GV) to Metaphase II (MII) stage. In contrast, pRPB1Ser7 only
emerged after germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and gradually increased to its peak level at metaphase I (MI)
and MII. Immunofluorescence demonstrated that pRPB1Ser2, pRPB1Ser5 and
pRPB1Ser7 were pronouncedly aggregated within the nucleus of GV oocytes with a non-surrounded
nucleolus (NSN) but very faintly labeled in oocytes with a surrounded nucleolus (SN). After meiotic
resumption, pRPB1Ser2 was again detected at spindle poles and co-localized with key microtubule
organizing center (MTOC) components, pericentrin and γ-tubulin. pRPB1Ser5 and pRPB1Ser7
were assembled as filamentous aggregates and co-localized with microtubules throughout the spindle structure,
responding to spindle-disturbing drugs, nocodazole or taxol, in pattern strongly similar to microtubules.
pRPB1Ser2 and pRPB1Ser5 were constantly localized on chromosomes, with a relatively
high concentration in centromere areas. Taken together, our data suggest that the CTD is highly phosphorylated
and may be required for accurate chromosome segregation in mouse oocytes during meiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- HaoJie Wei
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
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62
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Mbogning J, Pagé V, Burston J, Schwenger E, Fisher RP, Schwer B, Shuman S, Tanny JC. Functional interaction of Rpb1 and Spt5 C-terminal domains in co-transcriptional histone modification. Nucleic Acids Res 2015; 43:9766-75. [PMID: 26275777 PMCID: PMC4787787 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 08/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) is accompanied by a conserved pattern of histone modifications that plays important roles in regulating gene expression. The establishment of this pattern requires phosphorylation of both Rpb1 (the largest RNAPII subunit) and the elongation factor Spt5 on their respective C-terminal domains (CTDs). Here we interrogated the roles of individual Rpb1 and Spt5 CTD phospho-sites in directing co-transcriptional histone modifications in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Steady-state levels of methylation at histone H3 lysines 4 (H3K4me) and 36 (H3K36me) were sensitive to multiple mutations of the Rpb1 CTD repeat motif (Y1S2P3T4S5P6S7). Ablation of the Spt5 CTD phospho-site Thr1 reduced H3K4me levels but had minimal effects on H3K36me. Nonetheless, Spt5 CTD mutations potentiated the effects of Rpb1 CTD mutations on H3K36me, suggesting overlapping functions. Phosphorylation of Rpb1 Ser2 by the Cdk12 orthologue Lsk1 positively regulated H3K36me but negatively regulated H3K4me. H3K36me and histone H2B monoubiquitylation required Rpb1 Ser5 but were maintained upon inactivation of Mcs6/Cdk7, the major kinase for Rpb1 Ser5 in vivo, implicating another Ser5 kinase in these regulatory pathways. Our results elaborate the CTD ‘code’ for co-transcriptional histone modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Mbogning
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Viviane Pagé
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Jillian Burston
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Emily Schwenger
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Robert P Fisher
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Beate Schwer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Stewart Shuman
- Molecular Biology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jason C Tanny
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1Y6, Canada
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63
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Koga M, Hayashi M, Kaida D. Splicing inhibition decreases phosphorylation level of Ser2 in Pol II CTD. Nucleic Acids Res 2015. [PMID: 26202968 PMCID: PMC4787822 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphorylation of the C-terminal domain of the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (Pol II), especially Ser2 and Ser5 residues, plays important roles in transcription and mRNA processing, including 5′ end capping, splicing and 3′ end processing. These phosphorylation events stimulate mRNA processing, however, it is not clear whether splicing activity affects the phosphorylation status of Pol II. In this study, we found that splicing inhibition by potent splicing inhibitors spliceostatin A (SSA) and pladienolide B or by antisense oligos against snRNAs decreased phospho-Ser2 level, but had little or no effects on phospho-Ser5 level. In contrast, transcription and translation inhibitors did not decrease phospho-Ser2 level, therefore inhibition of not all the gene expression processes cause the decrease of phospho-Ser2. SSA treatment caused early dissociation of Pol II and decrease in phospho-Ser2 level of chromatin-bound Pol II, suggesting that splicing inhibition causes downregulation of phospho-Ser2 through at least these two mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsunori Koga
- Frontier Research Core for Life Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Megumi Hayashi
- Frontier Research Core for Life Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Daisuke Kaida
- Frontier Research Core for Life Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
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64
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Eifler TT, Shao W, Bartholomeeusen K, Fujinaga K, Jäger S, Johnson JR, Luo Z, Krogan NJ, Peterlin BM. Cyclin-dependent kinase 12 increases 3' end processing of growth factor-induced c-FOS transcripts. Mol Cell Biol 2015; 35:468-78. [PMID: 25384976 PMCID: PMC4272423 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.01157-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2014] [Revised: 10/07/2014] [Accepted: 11/01/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) regulate RNA polymerase II initiation and elongation as well as cotranscriptional mRNA processing. In this report, we describe an important role for CDK12 in the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced c-FOS proto-oncogene expression in mammalian cells. This kinase was found in the exon junction complexes (EJC) together with SR proteins and was thus recruited to RNA polymerase II. In cells depleted of CDK12 or eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A3 (eIF4A3) from the EJC, EGF induced fewer c-FOS transcripts. In these cells, phosphorylation of serines at position 2 in the C-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase II, as well as levels of cleavage-stimulating factor 64 (Cstf64) and 73-kDa subunit of cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor (CPSF73), was reduced at the c-FOS gene. These effects impaired 3' end processing of c-FOS transcripts. Mutant CDK12 proteins lacking their Arg-Ser-rich (RS) domain or just the RS domain alone acted as dominant negative proteins. Thus, CDK12 plays an important role in cotranscriptional processing of c-FOS transcripts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristan T Eifler
- Department of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Wei Shao
- Department of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Koen Bartholomeeusen
- Department of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Koh Fujinaga
- Department of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Stefanie Jäger
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, QB3, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jeff R Johnson
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, QB3, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Zeping Luo
- Department of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Nevan J Krogan
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, QB3, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - B Matija Peterlin
- Department of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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65
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Hsu PL, Yang F, Smith-Kinnaman W, Yang W, Song JE, Mosley AL, Varani G. Rtr1 is a dual specificity phosphatase that dephosphorylates Tyr1 and Ser5 on the RNA polymerase II CTD. J Mol Biol 2014; 426:2970-81. [PMID: 24951832 PMCID: PMC4119023 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2014.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2014] [Revised: 06/11/2014] [Accepted: 06/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The phosphorylation state of heptapeptide repeats within the C-terminal domain (CTD) of the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (PolII) controls the transcription cycle and is maintained by the competing action of kinases and phosphatases. Rtr1 was recently proposed to be the enzyme responsible for the transition of PolII into the elongation and termination phases of transcription by removing the phosphate marker on serine 5, but this attribution was questioned by the apparent lack of enzymatic activity. Here we demonstrate that Rtr1 is a phosphatase of new structure that is auto-inhibited by its own C-terminus. The enzymatic activity of the protein in vitro is functionally important in vivo as well: a single amino acid mutation that reduces activity leads to the same phenotype in vivo as deletion of the protein-coding gene from yeast. Surprisingly, Rtr1 dephosphorylates not only serine 5 on the CTD but also the newly described anti-termination tyrosine 1 marker, supporting the hypothesis that Rtr1 and its homologs promote the transition from transcription to termination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter L. Hsu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Whitney Smith-Kinnaman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Wen Yang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jae-Eun Song
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Amber L. Mosley
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Gabriele Varani
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA,Corresponding author. , telephone (206) 543-7113
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66
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Schwartz JC, Podell ER, Han SSW, Berry JD, Eggan KC, Cech TR. FUS is sequestered in nuclear aggregates in ALS patient fibroblasts. Mol Biol Cell 2014; 25:2571-8. [PMID: 25009283 PMCID: PMC4148247 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e14-05-1007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the nuclear RNA-binding protein FUS can cause the neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Study of ALS patient fibroblasts reveals FUS protein aggregated in the nucleus and its regulation of RNA polymerase II disrupted. Thus mutant FUS need not be aggregated in the cytoplasm to have deleterious consequences. Mutations in the RNA-binding protein FUS have been shown to cause the neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We investigate whether mutant FUS protein in ALS patient–derived fibroblasts affects normal FUS functions in the nucleus. We investigated fibroblasts from two ALS patients possessing different FUS mutations and a normal control. Fibroblasts from these patients have their nuclear FUS protein trapped in SDS-resistant aggregates. Genome-wide analysis reveals an inappropriate accumulation of Ser-2 phosphorylation on RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II) near the transcription start sites of 625 genes for ALS patient cells and after small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown of FUS in normal fibroblasts. Furthermore, both the presence of mutant FUS protein and siRNA knockdown of wild-type FUS correlate with altered distribution of RNA Pol II within fibroblast nuclei. A loss of FUS function in orchestrating Ser-2 phosphorylation of the CTD of RNA Pol II is detectable in ALS patient–derived fibroblasts expressing mutant FUS protein, even when the FUS protein remains largely nuclear. A likely explanation for this loss of function is the aggregation of FUS protein in nuclei. Thus our results suggest a specific mechanism by which mutant FUS can have biological consequences other than by the formation of cytoplasmic aggregates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob C Schwartz
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309
| | - Elaine R Podell
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309
| | - Steve S W Han
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114 Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Stem Cell Institute and Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - James D Berry
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Kevin C Eggan
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Stem Cell Institute and Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Thomas R Cech
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309
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67
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Itzen F, Greifenberg AK, Bösken CA, Geyer M. Brd4 activates P-TEFb for RNA polymerase II CTD phosphorylation. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:7577-90. [PMID: 24860166 PMCID: PMC4081074 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The bromodomain protein Brd4 regulates the transcription of signal-inducible genes. This is achieved by recruiting the positive transcription elongation factor P-TEFb to promoters by its P-TEFb interaction domain (PID). Here we show that Brd4 stimulates the kinase activity of P-TEFb for phosphorylation of the C-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase II over basal levels. The CTD phosphorylation saturation levels, the preferences for pre-phosphorylated substrates, and the phosphorylation specificity for Ser5 of the CTD however remain unchanged. Inhibition of P-TEFb by Hexim1 is relieved by Brd4, although no mutual displacement with the Cyclin T-binding domain of Hexim1 was observed. Brd4 PID shows a surprising sequence motif similarity to the trans-activating Tat protein from HIV-1, which includes a core RxL motif, a polybasic cluster known as arginine-rich motif, and a C-terminal leucine motif. Mutation of these motifs to alanine significantly diminished the stimulatory effect of Brd4 and fully abrogated its activation potential in presence of Hexim1. Yet the protein was not found to bind Cyclin T1 as Tat, but only P-TEFb with a dissociation constant of 0.5 μM. Our data suggest a model where Brd4 acts on the kinase subunit of P-TEFb to relieve inhibition and stimulate substrate recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Itzen
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Department of Physical Biochemistry, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Ann Katrin Greifenberg
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Department of Physical Biochemistry, 44227 Dortmund, Germany Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar), Group Physical Biochemistry, 53175 Bonn, Germany
| | - Christian A Bösken
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Department of Physical Biochemistry, 44227 Dortmund, Germany Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar), Group Physical Biochemistry, 53175 Bonn, Germany
| | - Matthias Geyer
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Department of Physical Biochemistry, 44227 Dortmund, Germany Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar), Group Physical Biochemistry, 53175 Bonn, Germany
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68
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Function and control of RNA polymerase II C-terminal domain phosphorylation in vertebrate transcription and RNA processing. Mol Cell Biol 2014; 34:2488-98. [PMID: 24752900 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00181-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The C-terminal domain of the RNA polymerase II largest subunit (the Rpb1 CTD) is composed of tandem heptad repeats of the consensus sequence Y(1)S(2)P(3)T(4)S(5)P(6)S(7). We reported previously that Thr 4 is phosphorylated and functions in histone mRNA 3'-end formation in chicken DT40 cells. Here, we have extended our studies on Thr 4 and to other CTD mutations by using these cells. We found that an Rpb1 derivative containing only the N-terminal half of the CTD, as well as a similar derivative containing all-consensus repeats (26r), conferred full viability, while the C-terminal half, with more-divergent repeats, did not, reflecting a strong and specific defect in snRNA 3'-end formation. Mutation in 26r of all Ser 2 (S2A) or Ser 5 (S5A) residues resulted in lethality, while Ser 7 (S7A) mutants were fully viable. While S2A and S5A cells displayed defects in transcription and RNA processing, S7A cells behaved identically to 26r cells in all respects. Finally, we found that Thr 4 was phosphorylated by cyclin-dependent kinase 9 in cells and dephosphorylated both in vitro and in vivo by the phosphatase Fcp1.
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69
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Jimeno-González S, Schmid M, Malagon F, Haaning LL, Jensen TH. Rat1p maintains RNA polymerase II CTD phosphorylation balance. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2014; 20:551-558. [PMID: 24501251 PMCID: PMC3964916 DOI: 10.1261/rna.041129.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2013] [Accepted: 12/23/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In S. cerevisiae, the 5'-3' exonuclease Rat1p partakes in transcription termination. Although Rat1p-mediated RNA degradation has been suggested to play a role for this activity, the exact mechanisms by which Rat1p helps release RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) from the DNA template are poorly understood. Here we describe a function of Rat1p in regulating phosphorylation levels of the C-terminal domain (CTD) of the largest RNAPII subunit, Rpb1p, during transcription elongation. The rat1-1 mutant exhibits highly elevated levels of CTD phosphorylation as well as RNAPII distribution and transcription termination defects. These phenotypes are all rescued by overexpression of the CTD phosphatase Fcp1p, suggesting a functional relationship between the absence of Rat1p activity, elevated CTD phosphorylation, and transcription defects. We also demonstrate that rat1-1 cells display increased RNAPII transcription kinetics, a feature that may contribute to the cellular phenotypes of the mutant. Consistently, the rat1-1 allele is synthetic lethal with the rpb1-E1103G mutation, causing increased RNAPII speed, and is suppressed by the rpb2-10 mutation, causing slowed transcription. Thus, Rat1p plays more complex roles in controlling transcription than previously thought.
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70
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Napolitano G, Lania L, Majello B. RNA polymerase II CTD modifications: how many tales from a single tail. J Cell Physiol 2014; 229:538-44. [PMID: 24122273 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.24483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2013] [Accepted: 09/30/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Eukaryote's RNA polymerases II (RNAPII) have the feature to contain, at the carbossi-terminal region of their largest subunit Rpb1, a unique CTD domain. Rpb1-CTD is composed of an increasing number of repetitions of the Y1 S2 P3 T4 S5 P6 S7 heptad that goes in parallel with the developmental level of organisms. Because of its composition, the CTD domain has a huge structural plasticity; virtually all the residues can be subjected to post-translational modifications and the two prolines can either be in cis or trans conformations. In light of these features, it is reasonable to think that different specific nuances of CTD modification and interacting factors take place not only on different gene promoters but also during different stages of the transcription cycle and reasonably might have a role even if the polymerase is on or off the DNA template. Rpb1-CTD domain is involved not only in regulating transcriptional rates, but also in all co-transcriptional processes, such as pre-mRNA processing, splicing, cleavage, and export. Moreover, recent studies highlight a role of CTD in DNA replication and in maintenance of genomic stability and specific CTD-modifications have been related to different CTD functions. In this paper, we examine results from the most recent CTD-related literature and give an overview of the general function of Rpb1-CTD in transcription, transcription-related and non transcription-related processes in which it has been recently shown to be involved in.
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71
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Karagiannis J. On the computational ability of the RNA polymerase II carboxy terminal domain. Commun Integr Biol 2014; 7:e28303. [PMID: 25371772 PMCID: PMC4217226 DOI: 10.4161/cib.28303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2014] [Accepted: 02/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The RNA polymerase II carboxy terminal domain has long been known to play an important role in the control of eukaryotic transcription. This role is mediated, at least in part, through complex post-translational modifications that take place on specific residues within the heptad repeats of the domain. In this addendum, a speculative, but formal mathematical conceptualization of this biological phenomenon (in the form of a semi-Thue string rewriting system) is presented. Since the semi-Thue formalism is known to be Turing complete, this raises the possibility that the CTD – in association with the regulatory pathways controlling its post-translational modification – functions as a biological incarnation of a universal computing machine.
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72
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Hu Y, Ericsson I, Doseth B, Liabakk NB, Krokan HE, Kavli B. Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) is localized to subnuclear domains enriched in splicing factors. Exp Cell Res 2014; 322:178-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2014.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2013] [Revised: 01/02/2014] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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73
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Bentley DL. Coupling mRNA processing with transcription in time and space. Nat Rev Genet 2014; 15:163-75. [PMID: 24514444 DOI: 10.1038/nrg3662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 546] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Maturation of mRNA precursors often occurs simultaneously with their synthesis by RNA polymerase II (Pol II). The co-transcriptional nature of mRNA processing has permitted the evolution of coupling mechanisms that coordinate transcription with mRNA capping, splicing, editing and 3' end formation. Recent experiments using sophisticated new methods for analysis of nascent RNA have provided important insights into the relative amount of co-transcriptional and post-transcriptional processing, the relationship between mRNA elongation and processing, and the role of the Pol II carboxy-terminal domain (CTD) in regulating these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David L Bentley
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, MS8101, PO BOX 6511, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
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74
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Davidson L, Muniz L, West S. 3' end formation of pre-mRNA and phosphorylation of Ser2 on the RNA polymerase II CTD are reciprocally coupled in human cells. Genes Dev 2014; 28:342-56. [PMID: 24478330 PMCID: PMC3937513 DOI: 10.1101/gad.231274.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Pre-mRNA 3′ end formation is coupled to transcription via the RNA Pol II C-terminal domain (CTD). However, how transcription and pre-mRNA maturation are coordinated in humans is poorly understood. Here, West and colleagues show that Pol II pausing promotes Ser2p by Cdk12, which recruits CPA factor CstF77 and is required for optimal 3′ end processing. This study delineates a reciprocal relationship between early steps in poly(A) site processing and Pol II Ser2p that ensures efficient pre-mRNA 3′ end formation in human cells. 3′ end formation of pre-mRNAs is coupled to their transcription via the C-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase II (Pol II). Nearly all protein-coding transcripts are matured by cleavage and polyadenylation (CPA), which is frequently misregulated in disease. Understanding how transcription is coordinated with CPA in human cells is therefore very important. We found that the CTD is heavily phosphorylated on Ser2 (Ser2p) at poly(A) (pA) signals coincident with recruitment of the CstF77 CPA factor. Depletion of the Ser2 kinase Cdk12 impairs Ser2p, CstF77 recruitment, and CPA, strongly suggesting that the processes are linked, as they are in budding yeast. Importantly, we additionally show that the high Ser2p signals at the 3′ end depend on pA signal function. Down-regulation of CPA results in the loss of a 3′ Ser2p peak, whereas a new peak is formed when CPA is induced de novo. Finally, high Ser2p signals are generated by Pol II pausing, which is a well-known feature of pA site recognition. Thus, a reciprocal relationship between early steps in pA site processing and Ser2p ensures efficient 3′ end formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee Davidson
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, United Kingdom
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75
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Abstract
The discovery that many intron-containing genes can be cotranscriptionally spliced has led to an increased understanding of how splicing and transcription are intricately intertwined. Cotranscriptional splicing has been demonstrated in a number of different organisms and has been shown to play roles in coordinating both constitutive and alternative splicing. The nature of cotranscriptional splicing suggests that changes in transcription can dramatically affect splicing, and new evidence suggests that splicing can, in turn, influence transcription. In this chapter, we discuss the mechanisms and consequences of cotranscriptional splicing and introduce some of the tools used to measure this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan C Merkhofer
- Molecular Biology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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76
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Ou M, Sandri-Goldin RM. Inhibition of cdk9 during herpes simplex virus 1 infection impedes viral transcription. PLoS One 2013; 8:e79007. [PMID: 24205359 PMCID: PMC3799718 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0079007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2013] [Accepted: 09/26/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
During herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infection there is a loss of the serine-2 phosphorylated form of RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) found in elongation complexes. This occurs in part because RNAP II undergoes ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation during times of highly active viral transcription, which may result from stalled elongating complexes. In addition, a viral protein, ICP22, was reported to trigger a loss of serine-2 RNAP II. These findings have led to some speculation that the serine-2 phosphorylated form of RNAP II may not be required for HSV-1 transcription, although this form is required for cellular transcription elongation and RNA processing. Cellular kinase cdk9 phosphorylates serine-2 in the C-terminal domain (CTD) of RNAP II. To determine if serine-2 phosphorylated RNAP II is required for HSV-1 transcription, we inhibited cdk9 during HSV-1 infection and measured viral gene expression. Inhibition was achieved by adding cdk9 inhibitors 5,6-dichlorobenzimidazone-1-β-D-ribofuranoside (DRB) or flavopiridol (FVP) or by expression of a dominant–negative cdk9 or HEXIM1, which in conjunction with 7SK snRNA inhibits cdk9 in complex with cyclin 1. Here we report that inhibition of cdk9 resulted in decreased viral yields and levels of late proteins, poor formation of viral transcription-replication compartments, reduced levels of poly(A)+ mRNA and decreased RNA synthesis as measured by uptake of 5-bromouridine into nascent RNA. Importantly, a global reduction in viral mRNAs was seen as determined by microarray analysis. We conclude that serine-2 phosphorylation of the CTD of RNAP II is required for HSV-1 transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Ou
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Rozanne M. Sandri-Goldin
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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77
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Jeronimo C, Bataille AR, Robert F. The Writers, Readers, and Functions of the RNA Polymerase II C-Terminal Domain Code. Chem Rev 2013; 113:8491-522. [DOI: 10.1021/cr4001397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Célia Jeronimo
- Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, Québec,
Canada H2W 1R7
| | - Alain R. Bataille
- Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, Québec,
Canada H2W 1R7
| | - François Robert
- Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, Québec,
Canada H2W 1R7
- Département
de Médecine,
Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec,
Canada H3T 1J4
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78
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Zhang Z, Jones A, Joo HY, Zhou D, Cao Y, Chen S, Erdjument-Bromage H, Renfrow M, He H, Tempst P, Townes TM, Giles KE, Ma L, Wang H. USP49 deubiquitinates histone H2B and regulates cotranscriptional pre-mRNA splicing. Genes Dev 2013; 27:1581-95. [PMID: 23824326 DOI: 10.1101/gad.211037.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Post-translational histone modifications play important roles in regulating chromatin structure and function. Histone H2B ubiquitination and deubiquitination have been implicated in transcriptional regulation, but the function of H2B deubiquitination is not well defined, particularly in higher eukaryotes. Here we report the purification of ubiquitin-specific peptidase 49 (USP49) as a histone H2B-specific deubiquitinase and demonstrate that H2B deubiquitination by USP49 is required for efficient cotranscriptional splicing of a large set of exons. USP49 forms a complex with RuvB-like1 (RVB1) and SUG1 and specifically deubiquitinates histone H2B in vitro and in vivo. USP49 knockdown results in small changes in gene expression but affects the abundance of >9000 isoforms. Exons down-regulated in USP49 knockdown cells show both elevated levels of alternative splicing and a general decrease in splicing efficiency. Importantly, USP49 is relatively enriched at this set of exons. USP49 knockdown increased H2B ubiquitination (uH2B) levels at these exons as well as upstream 3' and downstream 5' intronic splicing elements. Change in H2B ubiquitination level, as modulated by USP49, regulates U1A and U2B association with chromatin and binding to nascent pre-mRNA. Although H3 levels are relatively stable after USP49 depletion, H2B levels at these exons are dramatically increased, suggesting that uH2B may enhance nucleosome stability. Therefore, this study identifies USP49 as a histone H2B-specific deubiquitinase and uncovers a critical role for H2B deubiquitination in cotranscriptional pre-mRNA processing events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, USA
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79
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Davidson L, West S. Splicing-coupled 3' end formation requires a terminal splice acceptor site, but not intron excision. Nucleic Acids Res 2013; 41:7101-14. [PMID: 23716637 PMCID: PMC3737548 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkt446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Splicing of human pre-mRNA is reciprocally coupled to 3′ end formation by terminal exon definition, which occurs co-transcriptionally. It is required for the final maturation of most human pre-mRNAs and is therefore important to understand. We have used several strategies to block splicing at specific stages in vivo and studied their effect on 3′ end formation. We demonstrate that a terminal splice acceptor site is essential to establish coupling with the poly(A) signal in a chromosomally integrated β-globin gene. This is in part to alleviate the suppression of 3′ end formation by U1 small nuclear RNA, which is known to bind pre-mRNA at the earliest stage of spliceosome assembly. Interestingly, blocks to splicing that are subsequent to terminal splice acceptor site function, but before catalysis, have little observable effect on 3′ end formation. These data suggest that early stages of spliceosome assembly are sufficient to functionally couple splicing and 3′ end formation, but that on-going intron removal is less critical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee Davidson
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh Michael Swann Building, King's Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, United Kingdom
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80
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Taube R, Peterlin BM. Lost in transcription: molecular mechanisms that control HIV latency. Viruses 2013; 5:902-27. [PMID: 23518577 PMCID: PMC3705304 DOI: 10.3390/v5030902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2013] [Revised: 03/15/2013] [Accepted: 03/18/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has limited the replication and spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, despite treatment, HIV infection persists in latently infected reservoirs, and once therapy is interrupted, viral replication rebounds quickly. Extensive efforts are being directed at eliminating these cell reservoirs. This feat can be achieved by reactivating latent HIV while administering drugs that prevent new rounds of infection and allow the immune system to clear the virus. However, current approaches to HIV eradication have not been effective. Moreover, as HIV latency is multifactorial, the significance of each of its molecular mechanisms is still under debate. Among these, transcriptional repression as a result of reduced levels and activity of the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb: CDK9/cyclin T) plays a significant role. Therefore, increasing levels of P-TEFb expression and activity is an excellent strategy to stimulate viral gene expression. This review summarizes the multiple steps that cause HIV to enter into latency. It positions the interplay between transcriptionally active and inactive host transcriptional activators and their viral partner Tat as valid targets for the development of new strategies to reactivate latent viral gene expression and eradicate HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Taube
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva, 84105, Israel
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +972-8-6479858; Fax: +972-8-6479953
| | - Boris Matija Peterlin
- Department of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, Rosalind Russell Medical Research Center, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; E-Mail:
- Department of Virology, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
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