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Pilsl M, Heiss FB, Pöll G, Höcherl M, Milkereit P, Engel C. Preparation of RNA Polymerase Complexes for Their Analysis by Single-Particle Cryo-Electron Microscopy. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2533:81-96. [PMID: 35796984 PMCID: PMC9761500 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2501-9_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Recent technological progress revealed new prospects of high-resolution structure determination of macromolecular complexes using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) . In the field of RNA polymerase (Pol) I research, a number of cryo-EM studies contributed to understanding the highly specialized mechanisms underlying the transcription of ribosomal RNA genes . Despite a broad applicability of the cryo-EM method itself, preparation of samples for high-resolution data collection can be challenging. Here, we describe strategies for the purification and stabilization of Pol I complexes, exemplarily considering advantages and disadvantages of the methodology. We further provide an easy-to-implement protocol for the coating of EM-grids with self-made carbon support films. In sum, we present an efficient workflow for cryo-grid preparation and optimization, including early stage cryo-EM screening that can be adapted to a wide range of soluble samples for high-resolution structure determination .
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Pilsl
- Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Florian B Heiss
- Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Gisela Pöll
- Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Mona Höcherl
- Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Milkereit
- Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Engel
- Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
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Merkl PE, Schächner C, Pilsl M, Schwank K, Hergert K, Längst G, Milkereit P, Griesenbeck J, Tschochner H. Analysis of Yeast RNAP I Transcription of Nucleosomal Templates In Vitro. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2533:39-59. [PMID: 35796981 PMCID: PMC9761914 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2501-9_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear eukaryotic RNA polymerases (RNAPs) transcribe a chromatin template in vivo. Since the basic unit of chromatin, the nucleosome, renders the DNA largely inaccessible, RNAPs have to overcome the nucleosomal barrier for efficient RNA synthesis. Gaining mechanistical insights in the transcription of chromatin templates will be essential to understand the complex process of eukaryotic gene expression. In this article we describe the use of defined in vitro transcription systems for comparative analysis of highly purified RNAPs I-III from S. cerevisiae (hereafter called yeast) transcribing in vitro reconstituted nucleosomal templates. We also provide a protocol to study promoter-dependent RNAP I transcription of purified native 35S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene chromatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp E Merkl
- Universität Regensburg, Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), Lehrstuhl Biochemie III, Regensburg, Germany
- TUM ForTe, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Christopher Schächner
- Universität Regensburg, Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), Lehrstuhl Biochemie III, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Michael Pilsl
- Universität Regensburg, Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), Lehrstuhl Biochemie III, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Katrin Schwank
- Universität Regensburg, Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), Lehrstuhl Biochemie III, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Kristin Hergert
- Universität Regensburg, Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), Lehrstuhl Biochemie III, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Gernot Längst
- Universität Regensburg, Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), Lehrstuhl Biochemie III, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Milkereit
- Universität Regensburg, Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), Lehrstuhl Biochemie III, Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Joachim Griesenbeck
- Universität Regensburg, Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), Lehrstuhl Biochemie III, Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Herbert Tschochner
- Universität Regensburg, Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), Lehrstuhl Biochemie III, Regensburg, Germany
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Pilsl M, Crucifix C, Papai G, Krupp F, Steinbauer R, Griesenbeck J, Milkereit P, Tschochner H, Schultz P. Structure of the initiation-competent RNA polymerase I and its implication for transcription. Nat Commun 2016; 7:12126. [PMID: 27418187 PMCID: PMC4947174 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic RNA polymerase I (Pol I) is specialized in rRNA gene transcription synthesizing up to 60% of cellular RNA. High level rRNA production relies on efficient binding of initiation factors to the rRNA gene promoter and recruitment of Pol I complexes containing initiation factor Rrn3. Here, we determine the cryo-EM structure of the Pol I-Rrn3 complex at 7.5 Å resolution, and compare it with Rrn3-free monomeric and dimeric Pol I. We observe that Rrn3 contacts the Pol I A43/A14 stalk and subunits A190 and AC40, that association re-organizes the Rrn3 interaction interface, thereby preventing Pol I dimerization; and Rrn3-bound and monomeric Pol I differ from the dimeric enzyme in cleft opening, and localization of the A12.2 C-terminus in the active centre. Our findings thus support a dual role for Rrn3 in transcription initiation to stabilize a monomeric initiation competent Pol I and to drive pre-initiation complex formation. Eukaryotic RNA polymerase I (Pol I) is responsible for the transcription of rRNA genes. Here the authors determine the cryo-EM structure of the Pol I-Rrn3 complex, providing insight into how Rrn3 stabilizes the monomeric initiation competent Pol I to drive pre-initiation complex formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Pilsl
- Universität Regensburg, Biochemie-Zentrum Regensburg (BZR), Institut für Biochemie, Genetik und Mikrobiologie, Lehrstuhl Biochemie III, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Corinne Crucifix
- Department of Integrated Structural Biology, IGBMC (Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire) INSERM, U964; CNRS/Strasbourg University, UMR7104 1, rue Laurent Fries, BP10142, 67404 Illkirch, France
| | - Gabor Papai
- Department of Integrated Structural Biology, IGBMC (Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire) INSERM, U964; CNRS/Strasbourg University, UMR7104 1, rue Laurent Fries, BP10142, 67404 Illkirch, France
| | - Ferdinand Krupp
- Department of Integrated Structural Biology, IGBMC (Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire) INSERM, U964; CNRS/Strasbourg University, UMR7104 1, rue Laurent Fries, BP10142, 67404 Illkirch, France
| | - Robert Steinbauer
- Universität Regensburg, Biochemie-Zentrum Regensburg (BZR), Institut für Biochemie, Genetik und Mikrobiologie, Lehrstuhl Biochemie III, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Joachim Griesenbeck
- Universität Regensburg, Biochemie-Zentrum Regensburg (BZR), Institut für Biochemie, Genetik und Mikrobiologie, Lehrstuhl Biochemie III, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Milkereit
- Universität Regensburg, Biochemie-Zentrum Regensburg (BZR), Institut für Biochemie, Genetik und Mikrobiologie, Lehrstuhl Biochemie III, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Herbert Tschochner
- Universität Regensburg, Biochemie-Zentrum Regensburg (BZR), Institut für Biochemie, Genetik und Mikrobiologie, Lehrstuhl Biochemie III, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Patrick Schultz
- Department of Integrated Structural Biology, IGBMC (Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire) INSERM, U964; CNRS/Strasbourg University, UMR7104 1, rue Laurent Fries, BP10142, 67404 Illkirch, France
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