Analysis of the gene encoding the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II in Drosophila

Characterization of the gene encoding the largest subunit of Plasmodium falciparum RNA polymerase III

We report here the isolation, sequence analysis, structure, and expression of the gene encoding the largest subunit of RNA polymerase III (RPIII) from Plasmodium falciparum. The P. falciparum RPIII gene consists of 5 exons and 4 introns, is expressed in all of the asexual erythrocytic stages of the parasite as a 8.5-kb mRNA, and is present in a single copy on chromosome 13. The predicted 2339 amino acid residue RPIII subunit contained 5 regions that were conserved between different eukaryotic RPIII subunits, and 4 variable regions that separated the conserved regions. Three of the variable regions were greatly enlarged in comparison to the corresponding variable regions in other RPIII subunits. Variable region C' represented nearly one-third of the P. falciparum RPIII subunit (750 amino acid residues), included a unique repeated decapeptide sequence, and had some homology with yeast DNA topoisomerase II. Noteworthy amino acid sequences and structures were identified in both the conserved regions and in the enlarged variable regions, and their possible role(s) as domains that regulate RPIII enzyme activity is discussed.

Evolutionary relationships among eubacteria, cyanobacteria, and chloroplasts: evidence from the rpoC1 gene of Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120

RNA polymerases of cyanobacteria contain a novel core subunit, gamma, which is absent from the RNA polymerases of other eubacteria. The genes encoding the three largest subunits of RNA polymerase, including gamma, have been isolated from the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120. The genes are linked in the order rpoB, rpoC1, rpoC2 and encode the beta, gamma, and beta' subunits, respectively. These genes are analogous to the rpoBC operon of Escherichia coli, but the functions of rpoC have been split in Anabaena between two genes, rpoC1 and rpoC2. The DNA sequence of the rpoC1 gene was determined and shows that the gamma subunit corresponds to the amino-terminal half of the E. coli beta' subunit. The gamma protein contains several conserved domains found in the largest subunits of all bacterial and eukaryotic RNA polymerases, including a potential zinc finger motif. The spliced rpoC1 gene from spinach chloroplast DNA was expressed in E. coli and shown to encode a protein immunologically related to Anabaena gamma. The similarities in the RNA polymerase gene products and gene organizations between cyanobacteria and chloroplasts support the cyanobacterial origin of chloroplasts and a divergent evolutionary pathway among eubacteria.

Suppressor analysis of temperature-sensitive mutations of the largest subunit of RNA polymerase I in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a suppressor gene encodes the second-largest subunit of RNA polymerase I

The SRP3-1 mutation is an allele-specific suppressor of temperature-sensitive mutations in the largest subunit (A190) of RNA polymerase I from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Two mutations known to be suppressed by SRP3-1 are in the putative zinc-binding domain of A190. We have cloned the SRP3 gene by using its suppressor activity and determined its complete nucleotide sequence. We conclude from the following evidence that the SRP3 gene encodes the second-largest subunit (A135) of RNA polymerase I. First, the deduced amino acid sequence of the gene product contains several regions with high homology to the corresponding regions of the second-largest subunits of RNA polymerases of various origins, including those of RNA polymerase II and III from S. cerevisiae. Second, the deduced amino acid sequence contains known amino acid sequences of two tryptic peptides from the A135 subunit of RNA polymerase I purified from S. cerevisiae. Finally, a strain was constructed in which transcription of the SRP3 gene was controlled by the inducible GAL7 promoter. When this strain, which can grow on galactose but not on glucose, was shifted from galactose medium to glucose medium, a large decrease in the cellular concentration of A135 was observed by Western blot analysis. We have also identified the specific amino acid alteration responsible for suppression by SRP3-1 and found that it is located within the putative zinc-binding domain conserved among the second-largest subunits of eucaryotic RNA polymerases. From these results, it is suggested that this putative zinc-binding domain is in physical proximity to and interacts with the putative zinc-binding domain of the A190 subunit.

Cloning and sequence determination of the Schizosaccharomyces pombe rpb1 gene encoding the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II

The gene, rpb1, encoding the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II has been cloned from Schizosaccharomyces pombe using the corresponding gene, RPB1, of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a cross-hybridization probe. We have determined the complete sequence of this gene, and parts of PCR-amplified rpb1 cDNA. The predicted coding sequence, interrupted by six introns, encodes a polypeptide of 1,752 amino acid residues in length with a molecular weight of 194 kilodaltons. This polypeptide contains eight conserved structural domains characteristic of the largest subunit of RNA polymerases from other eukaryotes and, in addition, 29 repetitions of the C-terminal heptapeptide found in all the eukaryotic RNA polymerase II largest subunits so far examined.

Suppressor analysis of temperature-sensitive mutations of the largest subunit of RNA polymerase I in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a suppressor gene encodes the second-largest subunit of RNA polymerase I

The SRP3-1 mutation is an allele-specific suppressor of temperature-sensitive mutations in the largest subunit (A190) of RNA polymerase I from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Two mutations known to be suppressed by SRP3-1 are in the putative zinc-binding domain of A190. We have cloned the SRP3 gene by using its suppressor activity and determined its complete nucleotide sequence. We conclude from the following evidence that the SRP3 gene encodes the second-largest subunit (A135) of RNA polymerase I. First, the deduced amino acid sequence of the gene product contains several regions with high homology to the corresponding regions of the second-largest subunits of RNA polymerases of various origins, including those of RNA polymerase II and III from S. cerevisiae. Second, the deduced amino acid sequence contains known amino acid sequences of two tryptic peptides from the A135 subunit of RNA polymerase I purified from S. cerevisiae. Finally, a strain was constructed in which transcription of the SRP3 gene was controlled by the inducible GAL7 promoter. When this strain, which can grow on galactose but not on glucose, was shifted from galactose medium to glucose medium, a large decrease in the cellular concentration of A135 was observed by Western blot analysis. We have also identified the specific amino acid alteration responsible for suppression by SRP3-1 and found that it is located within the putative zinc-binding domain conserved among the second-largest subunits of eucaryotic RNA polymerases. From these results, it is suggested that this putative zinc-binding domain is in physical proximity to and interacts with the putative zinc-binding domain of the A190 subunit.

Phylogenetic analysis of the RNA polymerases of Trypanosoma brucei, with special reference to class-specific transcription

We have sequenced the genes encoding to largest subunits of the three classes of DNA-dependent RNA polymerases of Trypanosoma brucei. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences were compared and aligned with the corresponding sequences of other eukaryotes. Phylogenetic relationships were subsequently calculated with a distant matrix, a bootstrapped parsimony and a maximum-likelihood method. These independent calculations resulted in trees with very similar topologies. The analyses show that all the largest subunits of T. brucei are evolutionarily distant members within each of the three RNA polymerase classes. An early separation of the trypanosomal subunits from the eukaryotic lineage might form the fundamental basis for the unusual transcription process of this species. Finally, all dendrograms show a separate ramification for the largest subunit of RNA polymerase I, II and III. RNA polymerase II and/or III form a bifurcation with the archaebacterial lineage, RNA polymerase I, however, arises separately from the eubacterial beta' lineage. This suggests that the three eukaryotic RNA polymerase classes are not simply derived by two gene duplications of an ancestral gene with subsequent differentiation.

Structural study of the yeast RNA polymerase A. Electron microscopy of lipid-bound molecules and two-dimensional crystals

Two-dimensional crystals of yeast RNA polymerase A (I) were obtained by interaction with positively charged lipid layers. The analysis of single molecular images of lipid-bound RNA polymerases showed that the enzyme was preferentially oriented by the lipid phase, which probably facilitated crystallization. Electron micrographs of the crystals revealed a rectangular unit cell 25.8 nm by 45.6 nm in size containing four RNA polymerase dimers related by P22(1)2(1) symmetry. The projection map showed, at about 2.5 nm resolution, two different views of the enzyme characterized by two bent arms, which appeared to cross at one end. These arms are likely to contain the A190 and A135 subunits and delimit a 3 to 4 nm wide groove. Additional structural features were observed and compared to the Escherichia coli enzyme.

RNA polymerase II: subunit structure and function

RNA polymerase II is the core of the complex apparatus that is responsible for the regulated synthesis of mRNA. A comprehensive knowledge of RNA polymerase II is essential to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms through which a variety of transcription factors regulate eukaryotic gene expression. The recent cloning of genes for all ten subunits of yeast RNA polymerase II has revealed intriguing similarities and differences between the eukaryotic RNA polymerase and its simpler prokaryotic counterpart. Epitope tagging and other experiments made possible by the cloning of these genes have provided a clearer picture of RNA polymerase II subunit composition, stoichiometry and function, and set the stage for further investigating the dialogue between RNA polymerase II and transcription factors.

Homologous domains of the largest subunit of eucaryotic RNA polymerase II are conserved in plants

Genomic and cDNA clones homologous to the RpII215 gene of Drosophila were isolated from Arabidopsis thaliana and assigned to a single copy gene encoding a transcript of 6.8 kb. Nucleotide sequence analysis of Arabidopsis genomic and cDNAs revealed a striking homology to yeast, Caenorhabditis, Drosophila and mouse genes encoding the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II. The Arabidopsis gene rpII215 contains 13 introns, 12 of which interrupt the coding sequence of a protein of 205 kDa. The position of the first intron is conserved between plant and animal genes, while an intron located in the 3' untranslated region of the rpII215 gene is unique to Arabidopsis. Common domains present in all known largest subunits of eucaryotic RNA polymerase II were identified in the predicted sequence of the Arabidopsis RpII215 protein. Both the order and the position of N-terminal Zn2+ finger and of DNA and alpha-amanitin binding motifs are conserved in Arabidopsis. The C-terminal region of the Arabidopsis protein contains 15 consensus and 26 variant YSPTSPS repeats (CTDs). Highly conserved structure among the various C-terminal domains suggests that the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II in plants may also interact with transcription factors and with protein kinases that control the cell cycle as in other organisms.

Analysis of the genes encoding the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II in Arabidopsis and soybean

We have cloned and sequenced the gene encoding the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB1) from Arabidopsis thaliana and partially sequenced genes from soybean (Glycine max). We have also determined the nucleotide sequence for a number of cDNA clones which encode the carboxyl terminal domains (CTDs) of RNA polymerase II from both soybean and Arabidopsis. The Arabidopsis RPB1 gene encodes a polypeptide of approximately 205 kDa, consists of 12 exons, and encompasses more than 8 kb. Predicted amino acid sequence shows eight regions of similarity with the largest subunit of other prokaryotic and eukaryotic RNA polymerases, as well as a highly conserved CTD unique to RNA polymerase II. The CTDs in plants, like those in most other eukaryotes, consist of tandem heptapeptide repeats with the consensus amino acid sequence PTSPSYS. The portion of RPB1 which encodes the CTD in plants differs from that of RPB1 of animals and lower eukaryotes. All the plant genes examined contain 2-3 introns within the CTD encoding regions, and at least two plant genes contain an alternatively spliced intron in the 3' untranslated region. Several clustered amino acid substitutions in the CTD are conserved in the two plant species examined, but are not found in other eukaryotes. RPB1 is encoded by a multigene family in soybean, but a single gene encodes this subunit in Arabidopsis and most other eukaryotes.

Electron microscopic study of yeast RNA polymerase A: analysis of single molecular images

The structural features of the yeast DNA-dependent RNA polymerase A (I) were examined by Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy. The enzyme was absorbed in its monomeric form and negatively stained prior to digital image acquisition at low dose. The signal to noise ratio of single particle images was improved through averaging of a large number of previously aligned and partitioned images. Six classes of images were obtained reproducibly which corresponded to different projections of the enzyme. The enzyme structure was characterized by its presence of two curved arms which defined a longitudinal cleft. By analogy with the Escherichia coli enzyme, these arms could correspond to the two large subunits A135 and A190.

Genetic exploration of interactive domains in RNA polymerase II subunits

The two large subunits of RNA polymerase II, RPB1 and RPB2, contain regions of extensive homology to the two large subunits of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase. These homologous regions may represent separate protein domains with unique functions. We investigated whether suppressor genetics could provide evidence for interactions between specific segments of RPB1 and RPB2 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A plasmid shuffle method was used to screen thoroughly for mutations in RPB2 that suppress a temperature-sensitive mutation, rpb1-1, which is located in region H of RPB1. All six RPB2 mutations that suppress rpb1-1 were clustered in region I of RPB2. The location of these mutations and the observation that they were allele specific for suppression of rpb1-1 suggests an interaction between region H of RPB1 and region I of RPB2. A similar experiment was done to isolate and map mutations in RPB1 that suppress a temperature-sensitive mutation, rpb2-2, which occurs in region I of RPB2. These suppressor mutations were not clustered in a particular region. Thus, fine structure suppressor genetics can provide evidence for interactions between specific segments of two proteins, but the results of this type of analysis can depend on the conditional mutation to be suppressed.

Nucleotide sequence of the maize chloroplast rpo B/C1/C2 operon: comparison between the derived protein primary structures from various organisms with respect to functional domains

The genes (rpo B/C1/C2) coding for the beta, beta', beta" subunits of maize (Zea mays) chloroplast RNA polymerase have been located on the plastome and their nucleotide sequences established. The operon is part of a large inversion with respect to the tobacco and spinach chloroplast genomes and is flanked by the genes trnC and rps2. Notable features of the nucleotide sequence are the loss of an intron in rpoC1 and an insertion of approximately 450 bp in rpoC2 compared to the dicotyledons tobacco, spinach and liverwort. The derived amino acid sequence of this additional monocotyledon specific sequence is characterized by acidic heptameric repeat units containing stretches of glutamic acid, tyrosines and leucines with regular spacing. Other structural motifs, such as a nucleotide binding domain in the beta subunit and a zinc finger in the beta' subunit, are compared at the amino acid level throughout the RNA polymerase subunits with the enzymes from other organisms in order to identify functionally important conserved regions.

Genetic exploration of interactive domains in RNA polymerase II subunits

The two large subunits of RNA polymerase II, RPB1 and RPB2, contain regions of extensive homology to the two large subunits of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase. These homologous regions may represent separate protein domains with unique functions. We investigated whether suppressor genetics could provide evidence for interactions between specific segments of RPB1 and RPB2 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A plasmid shuffle method was used to screen thoroughly for mutations in RPB2 that suppress a temperature-sensitive mutation, rpb1-1, which is located in region H of RPB1. All six RPB2 mutations that suppress rpb1-1 were clustered in region I of RPB2. The location of these mutations and the observation that they were allele specific for suppression of rpb1-1 suggests an interaction between region H of RPB1 and region I of RPB2. A similar experiment was done to isolate and map mutations in RPB1 that suppress a temperature-sensitive mutation, rpb2-2, which occurs in region I of RPB2. These suppressor mutations were not clustered in a particular region. Thus, fine structure suppressor genetics can provide evidence for interactions between specific segments of two proteins, but the results of this type of analysis can depend on the conditional mutation to be suppressed.

Rice chloroplast RNA polymerase genes: the absence of an intron in rpoC1 and the presence of an extra sequence in rpoC2

The chloroplast genome contains sequences homologous to the Escherichia coli rpoA, rpoB and rpoC genes. The chloroplast rpoC gene is divided into rpoC1 and rpoC2, of which rpoC1 contains an intron. Comparison of the rice rpo genes with those from tobacco, spinach and liverwort revealed unique features of the rice genes; the lack of an intron in rpoC1 and the presence of an extra sequence of 381 bp in rpoC2. The intron in rpoC1 is thus optional, and possible intron boundary sites in split rpoC1 genes can be estimated by comparison with rice rpoC1. The extra sequence is located in the middle of rpoC2 and has repeated structures. The amino acid sequence deduced from this sequence is extremely hydrophilic and anionic. The origin and function of this sequence are discussed.

Drosophila fasciclin I is a novel homophilic adhesion molecule that along with fasciclin III can mediate cell sorting

Fasciclin I is a membrane-associated glycoprotein that is regionally expressed on a subset of fasciculating axons during neuronal development in insects; it is expressed on apposing cell surfaces, suggesting a role in specific cell adhesion. In this paper we show that Drosophila fasciclin I is a novel homophilic cell adhesion molecule. When the nonadhesive Drosophila S2 cells are transfected with the fasciclin I cDNA, they form aggregates that are blocked by antisera against fasciclin I. When cells expressing fasciclin I are mixed with cells expressing fasciclin III, another Drosophila homophilic adhesion molecule, the mixture sorts into aggregates homogeneous for either fasciclin I- or fasciclin III-expressing cells. The ability of these two novel adhesion molecules to mediate cell sorting in vitro suggests that they might play a similar role during neuronal development.

Conditional mutations occur predominantly in highly conserved residues of RNA polymerase II subunits

Conditional mutations in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNA polymerase II large subunit, RPB1, were obtained by introducing a mutagenized RPB1 plasmid into yeast cells, selecting for loss of the wild-type RPB1 gene, and screening the cells for heat or cold sensitivity. Sequence analysis of 10 conditional RPB1 mutations and 10 conditional RPB2 mutations revealed that the amino acid residues altered by these distinct mutations are nearly always invariant among eucaryotic RPB1 and RPB2 homologs. These results suggest that RNA polymerase mutants might be obtained in other eucaryotic organisms by alteration of these invariant residues.

Conditional mutations occur predominantly in highly conserved residues of RNA polymerase II subunits

Conditional mutations in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNA polymerase II large subunit, RPB1, were obtained by introducing a mutagenized RPB1 plasmid into yeast cells, selecting for loss of the wild-type RPB1 gene, and screening the cells for heat or cold sensitivity. Sequence analysis of 10 conditional RPB1 mutations and 10 conditional RPB2 mutations revealed that the amino acid residues altered by these distinct mutations are nearly always invariant among eucaryotic RPB1 and RPB2 homologs. These results suggest that RNA polymerase mutants might be obtained in other eucaryotic organisms by alteration of these invariant residues.

Molecular cloning and sequencing of ama-1, the gene encoding the largest subunit of Caenorhabditis elegans RNA polymerase II

Two genomic sequences that share homology with Rp11215, the gene encoding the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II in Drosophila melanogaster, have been isolated from the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. One of these sequences was physically mapped on chromosome IV within a region deleted by the deficiency mDf4, 25 kilobases (kb) from the left deficiency breakpoint. This position corresponds to ama-1 (resistance to alpha-amanitin), a gene shown previously to encode a subunit of RNA polymerase II. Northern (RNA) blotting and DNA sequencing revealed that ama-1 spans 10 kb, is punctuated by 11 introns, and encodes a 5.9-kb mRNA. A cDNA clone was isolated and partially sequenced to confirm the 3' end and several splice junctions. Analysis of the inferred 1,859-residue ama-1 product showed considerable identity with the largest subunit of RNAP II from other organisms, including the presence of a zinc finger motif near the amino terminus, and a carboxyl-terminal domain of 42 tandemly reiterated heptamers with the consensus Tyr Ser Pro Thr Ser Pro Ser. The latter domain was found to be encoded by four exons. In addition, the sequence oriented ama-1 transcription with respect to the genetic map. The second C. elegans sequence detected with the Drosophila probe, named rpc-1, was found to encode a 4.8-kb transcript and hybridized strongly to the gene encoding the largest subunit of RNA polymerase III from yeast, implicating rpc-1 as encoding the analogous peptide in the nematode. By contrast with ama-1, rpc-1 was not deleted by mDf4 or larger deficiencies examined, indicating that these genes are no closer than 150 kb. Genes flanking ama-1, including two collagen genes, also have been identified.

An enlarged largest subunit of Plasmodium falciparum RNA polymerase II defines conserved and variable RNA polymerase domains

We have isolated the gene encoding the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II from Plasmodium falciparum. The RPII gene is expressed in the asexual erythrocytic stages of the parasite as a 9 kb mRNA, and is present as a single copy gene located on chromosome 3. The P. falciparum RPII subunit is the largest (2452 amino acids) eukaryotic RPII subunit, and it contains enlarged variable regions that clearly separate and define five conserved regions of the eukaryotic RPII largest subunits. A distinctive carboxyl-terminal domain contains a short highly conserved heptapeptide repeat domain which is bounded on its 5' side by a highly diverged heptapeptide repeat domain, and is bounded on its 3' side by a long carboxyl-terminal extension.

Fasciclin III: a novel homophilic adhesion molecule in Drosophila

Drosophila fasciclin III is an integral membrane glycoprotein that is expressed on a subset of neurons and fasciculating axons in the developing CNS, as well as in several other tissues during development. Here we report on the isolation of a full-length cDNA encoding an 80 kd form of fasciclin III. We have used this cDNA, under heat shock control, to transfect the relatively nonadhesive Drosophila S2 cell line. Examination of these transfected cells indicates that fasciclin III is capable of mediating adhesion in a homophilic, Ca2+-independent manner. Sequence analysis reveals that fasciclin III encodes a transmembrane protein with no significant homology to any known protein, including the previously characterized families of vertebrate cell adhesion molecules. The distribution of this adhesion molecule on subsets of fasciculating axons and growth cones during Drosophila development suggests that fasciclin III plays a role in growth cone guidance.

Molecular cloning and sequencing of ama-1, the gene encoding the largest subunit of Caenorhabditis elegans RNA polymerase II

Two genomic sequences that share homology with Rp11215, the gene encoding the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II in Drosophila melanogaster, have been isolated from the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. One of these sequences was physically mapped on chromosome IV within a region deleted by the deficiency mDf4, 25 kilobases (kb) from the left deficiency breakpoint. This position corresponds to ama-1 (resistance to alpha-amanitin), a gene shown previously to encode a subunit of RNA polymerase II. Northern (RNA) blotting and DNA sequencing revealed that ama-1 spans 10 kb, is punctuated by 11 introns, and encodes a 5.9-kb mRNA. A cDNA clone was isolated and partially sequenced to confirm the 3' end and several splice junctions. Analysis of the inferred 1,859-residue ama-1 product showed considerable identity with the largest subunit of RNAP II from other organisms, including the presence of a zinc finger motif near the amino terminus, and a carboxyl-terminal domain of 42 tandemly reiterated heptamers with the consensus Tyr Ser Pro Thr Ser Pro Ser. The latter domain was found to be encoded by four exons. In addition, the sequence oriented ama-1 transcription with respect to the genetic map. The second C. elegans sequence detected with the Drosophila probe, named rpc-1, was found to encode a 4.8-kb transcript and hybridized strongly to the gene encoding the largest subunit of RNA polymerase III from yeast, implicating rpc-1 as encoding the analogous peptide in the nematode. By contrast with ama-1, rpc-1 was not deleted by mDf4 or larger deficiencies examined, indicating that these genes are no closer than 150 kb. Genes flanking ama-1, including two collagen genes, also have been identified.

Complete sequence of the gene encoding the largest subunit of RNA polymerase I of Trypanosoma brucei

We have set out to clone the trypanosomal gene encoding the largest subunit of RNA polymerase I. We screened a genomic library with a synthetic oligonucleotide probe encoding an eleven amino acid sequence motif, YNADFDGDEMN, which has been found in all eukaryotic RNA polymerase largest subunit genes analyzed so far. We isolated the Trp11 locus and determined the complete sequence of the gene encoded within this locus. The deduced amino acid sequence contains the highly conserved RNA polymerase domains as well as the previously identified RNA polymerase I-specific hydrophilic insertions. Therefore, the gene most closely resembles the largest subunit of RNA polymerase I.

A protein kinase that phosphorylates the C-terminal repeat domain of the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II

The unique C-terminal repeat domain (CTD) of the largest subunit (IIa) of eukaryotic RNA polymerase II consists of multiple repeats of the heptapeptide consensus sequence Tyr-Ser-Pro-Thr-Ser-Pro-Ser. The number of repeats ranges from 26 in yeast to 42 in Drosophila to 52 in mouse. The CTD is essential in vivo, but its structure and function are not yet understood. The CTD can be phosphorylated at multiple serine and threonine residues, generating a form of the largest subunit (II0) with markedly reduced mobility in NaDodSO4/polyacrylamide gels. To investigate this extensive phosphorylation, which presumably modulates functional properties of RNA polymerase II, we began efforts to purify a specific CTD kinase. Using CTD-containing fusion proteins as substrates, we have purified a CTD kinase from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The enzyme extensively phosphorylates the CTD portion of both the fusion proteins and intact subunit IIa, producing products with reduced electrophoretic mobilities. The properties of the CTD kinase suggest that it is distinct from previously described protein kinases. Analogous activities were also detected in Drosophila and HeLa cell extracts.