RNA polymerase and transcription elongation factor Spt4/5 complex structure

Sub1 associates with Spt5 and influences RNA polymerase II transcription elongation rate

The transcriptional coactivator Sub1 has been implicated in several steps of mRNA metabolism in yeast, such as the activation of transcription, termination, and 3'-end formation. In addition, Sub1 globally regulates RNA polymerase II phosphorylation, and most recently it has been shown that it is a functional component of the preinitiation complex. Here we present evidence that Sub1 plays a significant role in transcription elongation by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII). We show that SUB1 genetically interacts with the gene encoding the elongation factor Spt5, that Sub1 influences Spt5 phosphorylation of the carboxy-terminal domain of RNAPII largest subunit by the kinase Bur1, and that both Sub1 and Spt5 copurify in the same complex, likely during early transcription elongation. Indeed, our data indicate that Sub1 influences Spt5-Rpb1 interaction. In addition, biochemical and molecular data show that Sub1 influences transcription elongation of constitutive and inducible genes and associates with coding regions in a transcription-dependent manner. Taken together, our results indicate that Sub1 associates with Spt5 and influences Spt5-Rpb1 complex levels and consequently transcription elongation rate.

The Spt4-Spt5 complex: a multi-faceted regulator of transcription elongation

In all domains of life, elongating RNA polymerases require the assistance of accessory factors to maintain their processivity and regulate their rate. Among these elongation factors, the Spt5/NusG factors stand out. Members of this protein family appear to be the only transcription accessory proteins that are universally conserved across all domains of life. In archaea and eukaryotes, Spt5 associates with a second protein, Spt4. In addition to regulating elongation, the eukaryotic Spt4-Spt5 complex appears to couple chromatin modification states and RNA processing to transcription elongation. This review discusses the experimental bases for our current understanding of Spt4-Spt5 function and recent studies that are beginning to elucidate the structure of Spt4-Spt5/RNA polymerase complexes and mechanism of Spt4-Spt5 action. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: RNA polymerase II Transcript Elongation.

A movie of RNA polymerase II transcription

We provide here a molecular movie that captures key aspects of RNA polymerase II initiation and elongation. To create the movie, we combined structural snapshots of the initiation-elongation transition and of elongation, including nucleotide addition, translocation, pausing, proofreading, backtracking, arrest, reactivation, and inhibition. The movie reveals open questions about the mechanism of transcription and provides a useful teaching tool.

Amour CV, Zhang C, Shokat KM, Schwer B, Robert F, Fisher RP, Tanny JC. A positive feedback loop links opposing functions of P-TEFb/Cdk9 and histone H2B ubiquitylation to regulate transcript elongation in fission yeast

Transcript elongation by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) is accompanied by conserved patterns of histone modification. Whereas histone modifications have established roles in transcription initiation, their functions during elongation are not understood. Mono-ubiquitylation of histone H2B (H2Bub1) plays a key role in coordinating co-transcriptional histone modification by promoting site-specific methylation of histone H3. H2Bub1 also regulates gene expression through an unidentified, methylation-independent mechanism. Here we reveal bidirectional communication between H2Bub1 and Cdk9, the ortholog of metazoan positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb), in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Chemical and classical genetic analyses indicate that lowering Cdk9 activity or preventing phosphorylation of its substrate, the transcription processivity factor Spt5, reduces H2Bub1 in vivo. Conversely, mutations in the H2Bub1 pathway impair Cdk9 recruitment to chromatin and decrease Spt5 phosphorylation. Moreover, an Spt5 phosphorylation-site mutation, combined with deletion of the histone H3 Lys4 methyltransferase Set1, phenocopies morphologic and growth defects due to H2Bub1 loss, suggesting independent, partially redundant roles for Cdk9 and Set1 downstream of H2Bub1. Surprisingly, mutation of the histone H2B ubiquitin-acceptor residue relaxes the Cdk9 activity requirement in vivo, and cdk9 mutations suppress cell-morphology defects in H2Bub1-deficient strains. Genome-wide analyses by chromatin immunoprecipitation also demonstrate opposing effects of Cdk9 and H2Bub1 on distribution of transcribing RNAPII. Therefore, whereas mutual dependence of H2Bub1 and Spt5 phosphorylation indicates positive feedback, mutual suppression by cdk9 and H2Bub1-pathway mutations suggests antagonistic functions that must be kept in balance to regulate elongation. Loss of H2Bub1 disrupts that balance and leads to deranged gene expression and aberrant cell morphologies, revealing a novel function of a conserved, co-transcriptional histone modification.

Modification of histone proteins is an important transcriptional regulatory mechanism in eukaryotic cells. Although various histone modifications are found primarily within the coding regions of transcribed genes, how they influence transcription elongation remains unclear. Among these modifications is mono-ubiquitylation of histone H2B (H2Bub1), which is needed for co-transcriptional methylation of histone H3 at specific sites. Here we show that H2Bub1 and Cdk9, the kinase component of positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb), are jointly regulated by a positive feedback loop: Cdk9 activity is needed for co-transcriptional H2Bub1, and H2Bub1 in turn stimulates Cdk9 activity toward one of its major substrates, the conserved elongation factor Spt5. We provide genetic evidence that the combined action of H2Bub1 on Spt5 phosphorylation and histone methylation accounts for the gene-regulatory effects of this modification. Surprisingly, our genetic and genome-wide studies indicate that P-TEFb and H2Bub1 act in opposition on elongating RNA polymerase. We suggest that the positive feedback linking P-TEFb and H2Bub1 helps to maintain a balance between their opposing actions. These results highlight a novel regulatory role for a conserved histone modification during transcription elongation.

Regulation of mammalian transcription by Gdown1 through a novel steric crosstalk revealed by cryo-EM

In mammals, a distinct RNA polymerase II form, RNAPII(G) contains a novel subunit Gdown1 (encoded by POLR2M), which represses gene activation, only to be reversed by the multisubunit Mediator co-activator. Here, we employed single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to disclose the architectures of RNAPII(G), RNAPII and RNAPII in complex with the transcription initiation factor TFIIF, all to ~19 Å. Difference analysis mapped Gdown1 mostly to the RNAPII Rpb5 shelf-Rpb1 jaw, supported by antibody labelling experiments. These structural features correlate with the moderate increase in the efficiency of RNA chain elongation by RNAP II(G). In addition, our updated RNAPII-TFIIF map showed that TFIIF tethers multiple regions surrounding the DNA-binding cleft, in agreement with cross-linking and biochemical mapping. Gdown1's binding sites overlap extensively with those of TFIIF, with Gdown1 sterically excluding TFIIF from RNAPII, herein demonstrated by competition assays using size exclusion chromatography. In summary, our work establishes a structural basis for Gdown1 impeding initiation at promoters, by obstruction of TFIIF, accounting for an additional dependent role of Mediator in activated transcription.

Separate domains of fission yeast Cdk9 (P-TEFb) are required for capping enzyme recruitment and primed (Ser7-phosphorylated) Rpb1 carboxyl-terminal domain substrate recognition

In fission yeast, discrete steps in mRNA maturation and synthesis depend on a complex containing the 5'-cap methyltransferase Pcm1 and Cdk9, which phosphorylates the RNA polymerase II (Pol II) carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD) and the processivity factor Spt5 to promote transcript elongation. Here we show that a Cdk9 carboxyl-terminal extension, distinct from the catalytic domain, mediates binding to both Pcm1 and the Pol II CTD. Removal of this segment diminishes Cdk9/Pcm1 chromatin recruitment and Spt5 phosphorylation in vivo and leads to slow growth and hypersensitivity to cold temperature, nutrient limitation, and the IMP dehydrogenase inhibitor mycophenolic acid (MPA). These phenotypes, and the Spt5 phosphorylation defect, are suppressed by Pcm1 overproduction, suggesting that normal transcript elongation and gene expression depend on physical linkage between Cdk9 and Pcm1. The extension is dispensable, however, for recognition of CTD substrates "primed" by Mcs6 (Cdk7). On defined peptide substrates in vitro, Cdk9 prefers CTD repeats phosphorylated at Ser7 over unmodified repeats. In vivo, Ser7 phosphorylation depends on Mcs6 activity, suggesting a conserved mechanism, independent of chromatin recruitment, to order transcriptional CDK functions. Therefore, fission yeast Cdk9 comprises a catalytic domain sufficient for primed substrate recognition and a multivalent recruitment module that couples transcription with capping.

Dynamic architecture of a minimal RNA polymerase II open promoter complex

The open promoter complex (OC) is a central intermediate during transcription initiation that contains a DNA bubble. Here, we employ single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer experiments and Nano-Positioning System analysis to determine the three-dimensional architecture of a minimal OC consisting of promoter DNA, including a TATA box and an 11-nucleotide mismatched region around the transcription start site, TATA box-binding protein (TBP), RNA polymerase (Pol) II, and general transcription factor (TF)IIB and TFIIF. In this minimal OC, TATA-DNA and TBP reside above the Pol II cleft between clamp and protrusion domains. Downstream DNA is dynamically loaded into and unloaded from the Pol II cleft at a timescale of seconds. The TFIIB core domain is displaced from the Pol II wall, where it is located in the closed promoter complex. These results reveal large overall structural changes during the initiation-elongation transition, which are apparently accommodated by the intrinsic flexibility of TFIIB.

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.

The spt5 C-terminal region recruits yeast 3' RNA cleavage factor I

During transcription elongation, RNA polymerase II (Pol II) binds the general elongation factor Spt5. Spt5 contains a repetitive C-terminal region (CTR) that is required for cotranscriptional recruitment of the Paf1 complex (D. L. Lindstrom et al., Mol. Cell. Biol. 23:1368-1378, 2003; Z. Zhang, J. Fu, and D. S. Gilmour, Genes Dev. 19:1572-1580, 2005). Here we report a new role of the Spt5 CTR in the recruitment of 3' RNA-processing factors. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) revealed that the Spt5 CTR is required for normal recruitment of pre-mRNA cleavage factor I (CFI) to the 3' ends of Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes. RNA contributes to CFI recruitment, as RNase treatment prior to ChIP further decreases CFI ChIP signals. Genome-wide ChIP profiling detected occupancy peaks of CFI subunits around 100 nucleotides downstream of the polyadenylation (pA) sites of genes. CFI recruitment to this defined region may result from simultaneous binding to the Spt5 CTR, to nascent RNA containing the pA sequence, and to the elongating Pol II isoform that is phosphorylated at serine 2 (S2) residues in its C-terminal domain (CTD). Consistent with this model, the CTR interacts with CFI in vitro but is not required for pA site recognition and transcription termination in vivo.

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.

Regulation of ribosomal RNA production by RNA polymerase I: does elongation come first?

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) production represents the most active transcription in the cell. Synthesis of the large rRNA precursors (35-47S) can be achieved by up to 150 RNA polymerase I (Pol I) enzymes simultaneously transcribing each rRNA gene. In this paper, we present recent advances made in understanding the regulatory mechanisms that control elongation. Built-in Pol I elongation factors, such as Rpa34/Rpa49 in budding yeast and PAF53/CAST in humans, are instrumental to the extremely high rate of rRNA production per gene. rRNA elongation mechanisms are intrinsically linked to chromatin structure and to the higher-order organization of the rRNA genes (rDNA). Factors such as Hmo1 in yeast and UBF1 in humans are key players in rDNA chromatin structure in vivo. Finally, elongation factors known to regulate messengers RNA production by RNA polymerase II are also involved in rRNA production and work cooperatively with Rpa49 in vivo.

The β subunit gate loop is required for RNA polymerase modification by RfaH and NusG

In all organisms, RNA polymerase (RNAP) relies on accessory factors to complete synthesis of long RNAs. These factors increase RNAP processivity by reducing pausing and termination, but their molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. We identify the β gate loop as an RNAP element required for antipausing activity of a bacterial virulence factor RfaH, a member of the universally conserved NusG family. Interactions with the gate loop are necessary for suppression of pausing and termination by RfaH, but are dispensable for RfaH binding to RNAP mediated by the β' clamp helices. We hypothesize that upon binding to the clamp helices and the gate loop RfaH bridges the gap across the DNA channel, stabilizing RNAP contacts with nucleic acid and disfavoring isomerization into a paused state. We show that contacts with the gate loop are also required for antipausing by NusG and propose that most NusG homologs use similar mechanisms to increase RNAP processivity.

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.

Activation-induced cytidine deaminase in antibody diversification and chromosome translocation

DNA damage, rearrangement, and mutation of the human genome are the basis of carcinogenesis and thought to be avoided at all costs. An exception is the adaptive immune system where lymphocytes utilize programmed DNA damage to effect antigen receptor diversification. Both B and T lymphocytes diversify their antigen receptors through RAG1/2 mediated recombination, but B cells undergo two additional processes--somatic hypermutation (SHM) and class-switch recombination (CSR), both initiated by activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID). AID deaminates cytidines in DNA resulting in U:G mismatches that are processed into point mutations in SHM or double-strand breaks in CSR. Although AID activity is focused at Immunoglobulin (Ig) gene loci, it also targets a wide array of non-Ig genes including oncogenes associated with lymphomas. Here, we review the molecular basis of AID regulation, targeting, and initiation of CSR and SHM, as well as AID's role in generating chromosome translocations that contribute to lymphomagenesis.

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.

Inactivated RNA polymerase II open complexes can be reactivated with TFIIE

Transcript initiation by RNA polymerase II (pol II) requires a helicase within TFIIH to generate the unpaired template strand. However, pol II preinitiation complexes (PICs) lose the ability to synthesize RNA very rapidly upon exposure to ATP alone in the absence of other NTPs. This inactivation is not caused by the TFIIH kinase activity, the loss of transcription factors or pol II from the PIC, or the collapse of the initially formed transcription bubble. TFIIE is necessary for PIC formation, but TFIIE is not retained as a stable component in PICs prepared by our protocol. Nevertheless, activity can be at least partially restored to ATP-treated PICs by the readdition of TFIIE. PICs formed on premelted (bubble) templates require TFIIH for effective transcript elongation to +20. Incubation of bubble template PICs with ATP caused reduced yields of 20-mers, but this effect was partially reversed by the addition of TFIIE. Our results suggest that once the open complex is formed, TFIIH decays into an inactive configuration in the absence of nucleotides for transcription. Although TFIIE does not play a role in transcript initiation itself, inactivation resulting from ATP preincubation can be reversed by a remodeling process mediated by TFIIE. Finally, we have also uncovered a major role for TFIIF in the earliest stages of transcript elongation that is unique to bubble templates.

Rpa43 and its partners in the yeast RNA polymerase I transcription complex

An Rpa43/Rpa14 stalk protrudes from RNA polymerase I (RNAPI), with homology to Rpb7/Rpb4 (RNAPII), Rpc25/Rpc17 (RNAPIII) and RpoE/RpoF (archaea). In fungi and vertebrates, Rpa43 contains hydrophilic domains forming about half of its size, but these domains lack in Schizosaccharomyces pombe and most other eukaryote lineages. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, they can be lost with little or no growth effect, as shown by deletion mapping and by domain swapping with fission yeast, but genetically interact with rpa12Δ, rpa34Δ or rpa49Δ, lacking non-essential subunits important for transcript elongation. Two-hybrid data and other genetic evidence suggest that Rpa43 directly bind Spt5, an RNAPI elongation factor also acting in RNAPII-dependent transcription, and may also interact with the nucleosomal chaperone Spt6.

Competing for the clamp: promoting RNA polymerase processivity and managing the transition from initiation to elongation

Transcription elongation factor NusG/Spt5 spans the central cleft of RNA polymerase and functionally competes with transcription initiation factors. This work highlights the RNA polymerase clamp as a target for regulation and points to dynamic interactions between initiation and elongation machineries.

Yeast transcription elongation factor Spt5 associates with RNA polymerase I and RNA polymerase II directly

Spt5 is a transcription factor conserved in all three domains of life. Spt5 homologues from bacteria and archaea bind the largest subunit of their respective RNA polymerases. Here we demonstrate that Spt5 directly associates with RNA polymerase (Pol) I and RNA Pol II in yeast through its central region containing conserved NusG N-terminal homology and KOW domains. Deletion analysis of SPT5 supports our biochemical data, demonstrating the importance of the KOW domains in Spt5 function. Far Western blot analysis implicates A190 of Pol I as well as Rpb1 of Pol II in binding Spt5. Three additional subunits of Pol I may also participate in this interaction. One of these subunits, A49, has known roles in transcription elongation by Pol I. Interestingly, spt5 truncation mutations suppress the cold-sensitive phenotype of rpa49Δ strain, which lacks the A49 subunit in the Pol I complex. Finally, we observed that Spt5 directly binds to an essential Pol I transcription initiation factor, Rrn3, and to the ribosomal RNA. Based on these data, we propose a model in which Spt5 is recruited to the rDNA early in transcription and propose that it plays an important role in ribosomal RNA synthesis through direct binding to the Pol I complex.

Termination and antitermination: RNA polymerase runs a stop sign

Termination signals induce rapid and irreversible dissociation of the nascent transcript from RNA polymerase. Terminators at the end of genes prevent unintended transcription into the downstream genes, whereas terminators in the upstream regulatory leader regions adjust expression of the structural genes in response to metabolic and environmental signals. Premature termination within an operon leads to potentially deleterious defects in the expression of the downstream genes, but also provides an important surveillance mechanism. This Review discusses the actions of bacterial and phage antiterminators that allow RNA polymerase to override a terminator when the circumstances demand it.

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.