Transcriptional enhancement by upstream activators is brought about by different molecular mechanisms for class I and II RNA polymerase genes

Tuning somatic hypermutation by transcription

The dependence of somatic hypermutation on transcription was studied in three mutant immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) insertion mice in which a targeted non-functional VHB1-8 passenger transgene was either placed under the transcriptional control of a truncated DQ52 promoter (p delta), its own RNA polymerase II dependent IgH promoter (pII) or a RNA polymerase I dependent promoter (pI). The relative mutation-frequency of the VHB1-8 passenger transgene in memory B cells of p delta, pI and pII mice (7%, 60% and 100%) correlated with the relative levels of transgene-specific pre-mRNA expressed in germinal center B cells isolated from the mutant mice (8%, 72% and 100%, respectively). These data indicate that the mutation load of rearranged Ig genes can be tuned by transcription. The question, whether somatic hypermutation requires transcription per se or a specific component of the RNA polymerase II complex, is under investigation.

Somatic hypermutation in the heavy chain locus correlates with transcription

Three mutant immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) insertion mice were generated in which a targeted nonfunctional IgH passenger transgene was either devoid of promoter (pdelta) or was placed under the transcriptional control of either its own RNA polymerase II-dependent IgH promoter (pII) or a RNA polymerase I-dependent promoter (pI). While the transgene mutation-frequency (0.85%) in memory B cells of pI mice was reduced compared to that in pII mice (1.4%), the distribution and the base exchange pattern of point mutations were comparable. In pdelta mice, the mutation frequency was drastically reduced (0.09%). The mutation frequencies correlated with the levels of transgene-specific pre-mRNA expressed in germinal center B cells isolated from the mutant mice.

Neither the endogenous nor a functional steroid hormone receptor binding site transactivate the ribosomal RNA gene promoter in vitro

The mammalian ribosomal RNA gene promoters exhibit a conserved sequence between positions +1 and +16 that shows a high degree of homology to the response element for glucocorticoids and progestins (GRE/PRE). These sequences bind specifically the glucocorticoid receptor and the progesterone receptor (PR) albeit with lower affinity than a canonical GRE/PRE. Because steroid hormones are known to affect expression of the ribosomal genes, we tested the influence of hormone receptors on the activity of the ribosomal RNA gene promoter in a cell-free transcription assay. Preparations of PR that induce transcription from the mouse mammary tumour virus (MMTV) promoter do not stimulate but slightly inhibit transcription from the ribosomal RNA gene promoter. This weak negative effect is not mediated through binding to the hypothetical GRE/PRE as a mutant promoter that does not bind receptor is equally repressed. Introduction of the functional MMTV GRE/PRE upstream of the basal ribosomal RNA gene promoter does not enhance its transcription in the presence of an active PR. Thus, RNA polymerase I transcription cannot be stimulated in vitro by cis elements and regulatory proteins that are active in RNA polymerase II transcription.

Unraveling the complexities of transcription by RNA polymerase III

The biosynthesis of proteins and nucleic acids in eukaryotes requires the participation of numerous small RNAs, many of which are products of RNA polymerase III transcription. How cells are able to coordinate the synthesis of these RNAs during growth and replication has been the subject of recent exciting and thought-provoking studies. We review the progress in this area, and focus upon shared properties between transcription systems having different functions.