1
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Fuller KB, Requijo RM, Schneider DA, Lucius AL. NTPs compete in the active site of RNA polymerases I and II. Biophys Chem 2024; 314:107302. [PMID: 39180852 PMCID: PMC11401760 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2024.107302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
Eukaryotes express at least three RNA polymerases (Pols) carry out transcription, while bacteria and archaea use only one. Using transient state kinetics, we have extensively examined and compared the kinetics of both single and multi-nucleotide additions catalyzed by the three Pols. In single nucleotide addition experiments we have observed unexpected extension products beyond one incorporation, which can be attributed to misincorporation, the presence of nearly undetectable amounts of contaminating NTPs, or a mixture of the two. Here we report the development and validation of an analysis strategy to account for the presence of unexpected extension products, when they occur. Using this approach, we uncovered evidence showing that non-cognate nucleotide, thermodynamically, competes with cognate nucleotide for the active site within the elongation complex of Pol I, ΔA12 Pol I, and Pol II. This observation is unexpected because base pairing interactions provide favorable energetics for selectivity and competitive binding indicates that the affinities of cognate and non-cognate nucleotides are within an order of magnitude. Thus, we show that application of our approach will allow for the extraction of additional information that reports on the energetics of nucleotide entry and selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaila B Fuller
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Ryan M Requijo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - David A Schneider
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Aaron L Lucius
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
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2
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Fuller KB, Jacobs RQ, Schneider DA, Lucius AL. Reversible Kinetics in Multi-nucleotide Addition Catalyzed by S. cerevisiae RNA polymerase II Reveal Slow Pyrophosphate Release. J Mol Biol 2024; 436:168606. [PMID: 38729258 PMCID: PMC11162919 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2024.168606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Eukaryotes express at least three nuclear DNA dependent RNA polymerases (Pols). Pols I, II, and III synthesize ribosomal (r) RNA, messenger (m) RNA, and transfer (t) RNA, respectively. Pol I and Pol III have intrinsic nuclease activity conferred by the A12.2 and C11 subunits, respectively. In contrast, Pol II requires the transcription factor (TF) IIS to confer robust nuclease activity. We recently reported that in the absence of the A12.2 subunit Pol I reverses bond formation by pyrophosphorolysis in the absence of added PPi, indicating slow PPi release. Thus, we hypothesized that Pol II, naturally lacking TFIIS, would reverse bond formation through pyrophosphorolysis. Here we report the results of transient-state kinetic experiments to examine the addition of nine nucleotides to a growing RNA chain catalyzed by Pol II. Our results indicate that Pol II reverses bond formation by pyrophosphorolysis in the absence of added PPi. We propose that, in the absence of endonuclease activity, this bond reversal may represent kinetic proofreading. Thus, given the hypothesis that Pol I evolved from Pol II through the incorporation of general transcription factors, pyrophosphorolysis may represent a more ancient form of proofreading that has been evolutionarily replaced with nuclease activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaila B Fuller
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Ruth Q Jacobs
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - David A Schneider
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Aaron L Lucius
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
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3
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Carter ZI, Jacobs RQ, Schneider DA, Lucius AL. Transient-State Kinetic Analysis of the RNA Polymerase II Nucleotide Incorporation Mechanism. Biochemistry 2023; 62:95-108. [PMID: 36525636 PMCID: PMC10069233 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.2c00608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Eukaryotic RNA polymerase II (Pol II) is an essential enzyme that lies at the core of eukaryotic biology. Due to its pivotal role in gene expression, Pol II has been subjected to a substantial number of investigations. We aim to further our understanding of Pol II nucleotide incorporation by utilizing transient-state kinetic techniques to examine Pol II single nucleotide addition on the millisecond time scale. We analyzed Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pol II incorporation of ATP or an ATP analog, Sp-ATP-α-S. Here we have measured the rate constants governing individual steps of the Pol II transcription cycle in the presence of ATP or Sp-ATP-α-S. These results suggest that Pol II catalyzes nucleotide incorporation by binding the next cognate nucleotide and immediately catalyzes bond formation and bond formation is either followed by a conformational change or pyrophosphate release. By comparing our previously published RNA polymerase I (Pol I) and Pol I lacking the A12 subunit (Pol I ΔA12) results that we collected under the same conditions with the identical technique, we show that Pol II and Pol I ΔA12 exhibit similar nucleotide addition mechanisms. This observation indicates that removal of the A12 subunit from Pol I results in a Pol II like enzyme. Taken together, these data further our collective understanding of Pol II's nucleotide incorporation mechanism and the evolutionary divergence of RNA polymerases across the three domains of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachariah I Carter
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama35233, United States
| | - Ruth Q Jacobs
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama35233, United States
| | - David A Schneider
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama35233, United States
| | - Aaron L Lucius
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama35233, United States
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4
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RNA polymerase I (Pol I) lobe-binding subunit Rpa12.2 promotes RNA cleavage and proofreading. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101862. [PMID: 35341765 PMCID: PMC9108883 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Elongating nuclear RNA polymerases (Pols) frequently pause, backtrack, and are then reactivated by endonucleolytic cleavage. Pol backtracking and RNA cleavage are also crucial for proofreading, which contributes to transcription fidelity. RNA polymerase I (Pol I) of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae synthesizes exclusively 35S rRNA, the precursor transcript of mature ribosomal 5.8S, 18S, and 25S rRNA. Pol I contains the specific heterodimeric subunits Rpa34.5/49 and subunit Rpa12.2, which have been implicated in RNA cleavage and elongation activity, respectively. These subunits are associated with the Pol I lobe structure and encompass different structural domains, but the contribution of these domains to RNA elongation is unclear. Here, we used Pol I mutants or reconstituted Pol I enzymes to study the effects of these subunits and/or their distinct domains on RNA cleavage, backtracking, and transcription fidelity in defined in vitro systems. Our findings suggest that the presence of the intact C-terminal domain of Rpa12.2 is sufficient to support the cleavage reaction, but that the N-terminal domains of Rpa12.2 and the heterodimer facilitate backtracking and RNA cleavage. Since both N-terminal and C-terminal domains of Rpa12.2 were also required to faithfully incorporate NTPs in the growing RNA chain, efficient backtracking and RNA cleavage might be a prerequisite for transcription fidelity. We propose that RNA Pols containing efficient RNA cleavage activity are able to add and remove nucleotides until the matching nucleotide supports RNA chain elongation, whereas cleavage-deficient enzymes can escape this proofreading process by incorporating incorrect nucleotides.
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5
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Merkl PE, Schächner C, Pilsl M, Schwank K, Schmid C, Längst G, Milkereit P, Griesenbeck J, Tschochner H. Specialization of RNA Polymerase I in Comparison to Other Nuclear RNA Polymerases of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2533:63-70. [PMID: 35796982 PMCID: PMC9761553 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2501-9_4] [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: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
In archaea and bacteria the major classes of RNAs are synthesized by one DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RNAP). In contrast, most eukaryotes have three highly specialized RNAPs to transcribe the nuclear genome. RNAP I synthesizes almost exclusively ribosomal (r)RNA, RNAP II synthesizes mRNA as well as many noncoding RNAs involved in RNA processing or RNA silencing pathways and RNAP III synthesizes mainly tRNA and 5S rRNA. This review discusses functional differences of the three nuclear core RNAPs in the yeast S. cerevisiae with a particular focus on RNAP I transcription of nucleolar ribosomal (r)DNA 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
| | - Catharina Schmid
- 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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6
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Ingram ZM, Schneider DA, Lucius AL. Transient-state kinetic analysis of multi-nucleotide addition catalyzed by RNA polymerase I. Biophys J 2021; 120:4378-4390. [PMID: 34509510 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA polymerases execute the first step in gene expression: transcription of DNA into RNA. Eukaryotes, unlike prokaryotes, express at least three specialized nuclear multisubunit RNA polymerases (Pol I, Pol II, and Pol III). RNA polymerase I (Pol I) synthesizes the most abundant RNA, ribosomal RNA. Nearly 60% of total transcription is devoted to ribosomal RNA synthesis, making it one of the cell's most energy consuming tasks. While a kinetic mechanism for nucleotide addition catalyzed by Pol I has been reported, it remains unclear to what degree different nucleotide sequences impact the incorporation rate constants. Furthermore, it is currently unknown if the previous investigation of a single-nucleotide incorporation was sensitive to the translocation step. Here, we show that Pol I exhibits considerable variability in both kmax and K1/2values using an in vitro multi-NTP incorporation assay measuring AMP and GMP incorporations. We found the first two observed nucleotide incorporations exhibited faster kmax-values (∼200 s-1) compared with the remaining seven positions (∼60 s-1). Additionally, the average K1/2 for ATP incorporation was found to be approximately threefold higher compared with GTP, suggesting Pol I has a tighter affinity for GTP compared with ATP. Our results demonstrate that Pol I exhibits significant variability in the observed rate constant describing each nucleotide incorporation. Understanding of the differences between the Pol enzymes will provide insight on the evolutionary pressures that led to their specialized roles. Therefore, the findings resulting from this work are critically important for comparisons with other polymerases across all domains of life.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David A Schneider
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.
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7
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Génin NEJ, Weinzierl ROJ. Nucleotide Loading Modes of Human RNA Polymerase II as Deciphered by Molecular Simulations. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10091289. [PMID: 32906795 PMCID: PMC7565877 DOI: 10.3390/biom10091289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Mapping the route of nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) entry into the sequestered active site of RNA polymerase (RNAP) has major implications for elucidating the complete nucleotide addition cycle. Constituting a dichotomy that remains to be resolved, two alternatives, direct NTP delivery via the secondary channel (CH2) or selection to downstream sites in the main channel (CH1) prior to catalysis, have been proposed. In this study, accelerated molecular dynamics simulations of freely diffusing NTPs about RNAPII were applied to refine the CH2 model and uncover atomic details on the CH1 model that previously lacked a persuasive structural framework to illustrate its mechanism of action. Diffusion and binding of NTPs to downstream DNA, and the transfer of a preselected NTP to the active site, are simulated for the first time. All-atom simulations further support that CH1 loading is transcription factor IIF (TFIIF) dependent and impacts catalytic isomerization. Altogether, the alternative nucleotide loading systems may allow distinct transcriptional landscapes to be expressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas E. J. Génin
- Institut de Chimie Organique et Analytique, Université d’Orléans, 45100 Orléans, France;
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8
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Abstract
In all living organisms, the flow of genetic information is a two-step process: first DNA is transcribed into RNA, which is subsequently used as template for protein synthesis during translation. In bacteria, archaea and eukaryotes, transcription is carried out by multi-subunit RNA polymerases (RNAPs) sharing a conserved architecture of the RNAP core. RNAPs catalyse the highly accurate polymerisation of RNA from NTP building blocks, utilising DNA as template, being assisted by transcription factors during the initiation, elongation and termination phase of transcription. The complexity of this highly dynamic process is reflected in the intricate network of protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions in transcription complexes and the substantial conformational changes of the RNAP as it progresses through the transcription cycle.In this chapter, we will first briefly describe the early work that led to the discovery of multisubunit RNAPs. We will then discuss the three-dimensional organisation of RNAPs from the bacterial, archaeal and eukaryotic domains of life, highlighting the conserved nature, but also the domain-specific features of the transcriptional apparatus. Another section will focus on transcription factors and their role in regulating the RNA polymerase throughout the different phases of the transcription cycle. This includes a discussion of the molecular mechanisms and dynamic events that govern transcription initiation, elongation and termination.
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9
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Widespread Backtracking by RNA Pol II Is a Major Effector of Gene Activation, 5' Pause Release, Termination, and Transcription Elongation Rate. Mol Cell 2018; 73:107-118.e4. [PMID: 30503775 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2018.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
In addition to phosphodiester bond formation, RNA polymerase II has an RNA endonuclease activity, stimulated by TFIIS, which rescues complexes that have arrested and backtracked. How TFIIS affects transcription under normal conditions is poorly understood. We identified backtracking sites in human cells using a dominant-negative TFIIS (TFIISDN) that inhibits RNA cleavage and stabilizes backtracked complexes. Backtracking is most frequent within 2 kb of start sites, consistent with slow elongation early in transcription, and in 3' flanking regions where termination is enhanced by TFIISDN, suggesting that backtracked pol II is a favorable substrate for termination. Rescue from backtracking by RNA cleavage also promotes escape from 5' pause sites, prevents premature termination of long transcripts, and enhances activation of stress-inducible genes. TFIISDN slowed elongation rates genome-wide by half, suggesting that rescue of backtracked pol II by TFIIS is a major stimulus of elongation under normal conditions.
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10
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Appling FD, Schneider DA, Lucius AL. Multisubunit RNA Polymerase Cleavage Factors Modulate the Kinetics and Energetics of Nucleotide Incorporation: An RNA Polymerase I Case Study. Biochemistry 2017; 56:5654-5662. [PMID: 28846843 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.7b00370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
All cellular RNA polymerases are influenced by protein factors that stimulate RNA polymerase-catalyzed cleavage of the nascent RNA. Despite divergence in amino acid sequence, these so-called "cleavage factors" appear to share a common mechanism of action. Cleavage factors associate with the polymerase through a conserved structural element of the polymerase known as the secondary channel or pore. This mode of association enables the cleavage factor to reach through the secondary channel into the polymerase active site to reorient the active site divalent metal ions. This reorientation converts the polymerase active site into a nuclease active site. Interestingly, eukaryotic RNA polymerases I and III (Pols I and III, respectively) have incorporated their cleavage factors as bona fide subunits known as A12.2 and C11, respectively. Although it is clear that A12.2 and C11 dramatically stimulate the polymerase's cleavage activity, it is not known if or how these subunits affect the polymerization mechanism. In this work we have used transient-state kinetic techniques to characterize a Pol I isoform lacking A12.2. Our data clearly demonstrate that the A12.2 subunit profoundly affects the kinetics and energetics of the elementary steps of Pol I-catalyzed nucleotide incorporation. Given the high degree of conservation between polymerase-cleavage factor interactions, these data indicate that cleavage factor-modulated nucleotide incorporation mechanisms may be common to all cellular RNA polymerases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis D Appling
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham , Birmingham, Alabama 35294, United States
| | - David A Schneider
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham , Birmingham, Alabama 35294, United States
| | - Aaron L Lucius
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham , Birmingham, Alabama 35294, United States
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11
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Antonopoulos IH, Warner BA, Carey PR. Concerted Protein and Nucleic Acid Conformational Changes Observed Prior to Nucleotide Incorporation in a Bacterial RNA Polymerase: Raman Crystallographic Evidence. Biochemistry 2015. [PMID: 26222797 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.5b00484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Transcription elongation requires the continuous incorporation of ribonucleotide triphosphates into a growing transcript. RNA polymerases (RNAPs) are able to processively synthesize a growing RNA chain via translocation of the RNAP enzyme along its nucleic acid template strand after each nucleotide addition cycle. In this work, a time-resolved Raman spectroscopic analysis of nucleotide addition in single crystals of the Thermus thermophilus elongation complex (TthEC) is reported. When [(13)C,(15)N]GTP (*GTP) is soaked into crystals of the TthEC, large reversible changes in the Raman spectrum that are assigned to protein and nucleic acid conformational events during a single-nucleotide incorporation are observed. The *GTP population in the TthEC crystal reaches a stable population at 37 min, while substantial and reversible protein conformational changes (mainly ascribed to changes in α-helical Raman features) maximize at approximately 50 min. At the same time, changes in nucleic acid bases and phosphodiester backbone Raman marker bands occur. Catalysis begins at approximately 65-70 min, soon after the maximal protein and DNA changes, and is monitored via the decline in a triphosphate vibrational Raman mode from *GTP. The Raman data indicate that approximately 40% of the total triphosphate population, present as *GTP, reacts in the crystal. This may suggest that a second population of noncovalently bound *GTP resides in a site distinct from the catalytic site. The data reported here are an extension of our recent work on the elongation complex (EC) of a bacterial RNAP, Thermus thermophilus (Tth), where Raman spectroscopy and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were employed to monitor incorporation and misincorporation in single TthEC crystals [Antonopoulos, I. H., et al. (2015) Biochemistry 54, 652-665]. Therefore, the initial study establishes the groundwork for this study. In contrast to our previous study, in which incorporation takes place very rapidly inside the crystals, the data on this single crystal exhibit a slower time regime, which allows the dissection of the structural dynamics associated with GMP incorporation within the TthEC crystal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna H Antonopoulos
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine , Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Brittany A Warner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Center of RNA Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University , University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Paul R Carey
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine , Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
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12
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Morin JA, Cao FJ, Lázaro JM, Arias-Gonzalez JR, Valpuesta JM, Carrascosa JL, Salas M, Ibarra B. Mechano-chemical kinetics of DNA replication: identification of the translocation step of a replicative DNA polymerase. Nucleic Acids Res 2015; 43:3643-52. [PMID: 25800740 PMCID: PMC4402526 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2014] [Revised: 02/14/2015] [Accepted: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
During DNA replication replicative polymerases move in discrete mechanical steps along the DNA template. To address how the chemical cycle is coupled to mechanical motion of the enzyme, here we use optical tweezers to study the translocation mechanism of individual bacteriophage Phi29 DNA polymerases during processive DNA replication. We determine the main kinetic parameters of the nucleotide incorporation cycle and their dependence on external load and nucleotide (dNTP) concentration. The data is inconsistent with power stroke models for translocation, instead supports a loose-coupling mechanism between chemical catalysis and mechanical translocation during DNA replication. According to this mechanism the DNA polymerase works by alternating between a dNTP/PPi-free state, which diffuses thermally between pre- and post-translocated states, and a dNTP/PPi-bound state where dNTP binding stabilizes the post-translocated state. We show how this thermal ratchet mechanism is used by the polymerase to generate work against large opposing loads (∼50 pN).
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Affiliation(s)
- José A Morin
- Instituto Madrileño de Estudios Avanzados en Nanociencia, IMDEA Nanociencia, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco J Cao
- Departamento Física Atómica, Molecular y Nuclear, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - José M Lázaro
- Centro de Biología Molecular 'Severo Ochoa' (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - J Ricardo Arias-Gonzalez
- Instituto Madrileño de Estudios Avanzados en Nanociencia (IMDEA Nanociencia) & CNB-CSIC-IMDEA Nanociencia Associated Unit 'Unidad de Nanobiotecnología', 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - José M Valpuesta
- Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - José L Carrascosa
- Instituto Madrileño de Estudios Avanzados en Nanociencia (IMDEA Nanociencia) & CNB-CSIC-IMDEA Nanociencia Associated Unit 'Unidad de Nanobiotecnología', 28049 Madrid, Spain Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Margarita Salas
- Centro de Biología Molecular 'Severo Ochoa' (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Borja Ibarra
- Instituto Madrileño de Estudios Avanzados en Nanociencia (IMDEA Nanociencia) & CNB-CSIC-IMDEA Nanociencia Associated Unit 'Unidad de Nanobiotecnología', 28049 Madrid, Spain
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13
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Mechanism of RNA polymerase II bypass of oxidative cyclopurine DNA lesions. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:E410-9. [PMID: 25605892 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1415186112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
In human cells, the oxidative DNA lesion 8,5'-cyclo-2'-deoxyadenosine (CydA) induces prolonged stalling of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) followed by transcriptional bypass, generating both error-free and mutant transcripts with AMP misincorporated immediately downstream from the lesion. Here, we present biochemical and crystallographic evidence for the mechanism of CydA recognition. Pol II stalling results from impaired loading of the template base (5') next to CydA into the active site, leading to preferential AMP misincorporation. Such predominant AMP insertion, which also occurs at an abasic site, is unaffected by the identity of the 5'-templating base, indicating that it derives from nontemplated synthesis according to an A rule known for DNA polymerases and recently identified for Pol II bypass of pyrimidine dimers. Subsequent to AMP misincorporation, Pol II encounters a major translocation block that is slowly overcome. Thus, the translocation block combined with the poor extension of the dA.rA mispair reduce transcriptional mutagenesis. Moreover, increasing the active-site flexibility by mutation in the trigger loop, which increases the ability of Pol II to accommodate the bulky lesion, and addition of transacting factor TFIIF facilitate CydA bypass. Thus, blocking lesion entry to the active site, translesion A rule synthesis, and translocation block are common features of transcription across different bulky DNA lesions.
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14
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Transcription factors IIS and IIF enhance transcription efficiency by differentially modifying RNA polymerase pausing dynamics. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111:3419-24. [PMID: 24550488 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1401611111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors IIS (TFIIS) and IIF (TFIIF) are known to stimulate transcription elongation. Here, we use a single-molecule transcription elongation assay to study the effects of both factors. We find that these transcription factors enhance overall transcription elongation by reducing the lifetime of transcriptional pauses and that TFIIF also decreases the probability of pause entry. Furthermore, we observe that both factors enhance the processivity of RNA polymerase II through the nucleosomal barrier. The effects of TFIIS and TFIIF are quantitatively described using the linear Brownian ratchet kinetic model for transcription elongation and the backtracking model for transcriptional pauses, modified to account for the effects of the transcription factors. Our findings help elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which transcription factors modulate gene expression.
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15
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Michaelis
- Biophysics
Institute, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee
11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
- Center
for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM), Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Munich University, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 München, Germany
| | - Barbara Treutlein
- Department
of Bioengineering, Stanford University, James H. Clark Center, E-300, 318
Campus Drive, Stanford, California 94305-5432, United States
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16
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Zhou J, Schweikhard V, Block SM. Single-molecule studies of RNAPII elongation. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2012; 1829:29-38. [PMID: 22982192 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2012.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2012] [Revised: 08/27/2012] [Accepted: 08/29/2012] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Elongation, the transcriptional phase in which RNA polymerase (RNAP) moves processively along a DNA template, occurs via a fundamental enzymatic mechanism that is thought to be universally conserved among multi-subunit polymerases in all kingdoms of life. Beyond this basic mechanism, a multitude of processes are integrated into transcript elongation, among them fidelity control, gene regulatory interactions involving elongation factors, RNA splicing or processing factors, and regulatory mechanisms associated with chromatin structure. Many kinetic and molecular details of the mechanism of the nucleotide addition cycle and its regulation, however, remain elusive and generate continued interest and even controversy. Recently, single-molecule approaches have emerged as powerful tools for the study of transcription in eukaryotic organisms. Here, we review recent progress and discuss some of the unresolved questions and ongoing debates, while anticipating future developments in the field. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: RNA Polymerase II Transcript Elongation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhou
- Department of Applied Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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17
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Larson MH, Zhou J, Kaplan CD, Palangat M, Kornberg RD, Landick R, Block SM. Trigger loop dynamics mediate the balance between the transcriptional fidelity and speed of RNA polymerase II. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012; 109:6555-60. [PMID: 22493230 PMCID: PMC3340090 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1200939109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
During transcription, RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) must select the correct nucleotide, catalyze its addition to the growing RNA transcript, and move stepwise along the DNA until a gene is fully transcribed. In all kingdoms of life, transcription must be finely tuned to ensure an appropriate balance between fidelity and speed. Here, we used an optical-trapping assay with high spatiotemporal resolution to probe directly the motion of individual RNAPII molecules as they pass through each of the enzymatic steps of transcript elongation. We report direct evidence that the RNAPII trigger loop, an evolutionarily conserved protein subdomain, serves as a master regulator of transcription, affecting each of the three main phases of elongation, namely: substrate selection, translocation, and catalysis. Global fits to the force-velocity relationships of RNAPII and its trigger loop mutants support a Brownian ratchet model for elongation, where the incoming NTP is able to bind in either the pre- or posttranslocated state, and movement between these two states is governed by the trigger loop. Comparison of the kinetics of pausing by WT and mutant RNAPII under conditions that promote base misincorporation indicate that the trigger loop governs fidelity in substrate selection and mismatch recognition, and thereby controls aspects of both transcriptional accuracy and rate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Craig D. Kaplan
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843; and
| | - Murali Palangat
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | | | - Robert Landick
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Steven M. Block
- Biophysics Program
- Department of Applied Physics
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
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18
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Kireeva ML, Domecq C, Coulombe B, Burton ZF, Kashlev M. Interaction of RNA polymerase II fork loop 2 with downstream non-template DNA regulates transcription elongation. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:30898-30910. [PMID: 21730074 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.260844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Fork loop 2 is a small semiconservative segment of the larger fork domain in the second largest Rpb2 subunit of RNA polymerase II (Pol II). This flexible loop, juxtaposed at the leading edge of transcription bubble, has been proposed to participate in DNA strand separation, translocation along DNA, and NTP loading to Pol II during elongation. Here we show that the Rpb2 mutant carrying a deletion of the flexible part of the loop is not lethal in yeast. The mutation exhibits no defects in DNA melting and translocation in vitro but confers a moderate decrease of the catalytic activity of the enzyme caused by the impaired sequestration of the NTP substrate in the active center prior to catalysis. In the structural model of the Pol II elongation complex, fork loop 2 directly interacts with an unpaired DNA residue in the non-template DNA strand one nucleotide ahead from the active center (the i+2 position). We showed that elimination of this putative interaction by replacement of the i+2 residue with an abasic site inhibits Pol II activity to the same degree as the deletion of fork loop 2. This replacement has no detectable effect on the activity of the mutant enzyme. We provide direct evidence that interaction of fork loop 2 with the non-template DNA strand facilitates NTP sequestration through interaction with the adjacent segment of the fork domain involved in the active center of Pol II.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria L Kireeva
- NCI-Frederick, National Institutes of Health, Center for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201
| | - Céline Domecq
- Gene Transcription and Proteomics Laboratory, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal and Department of Biochemistry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, H2W 1R7 Canada
| | - Benoit Coulombe
- Gene Transcription and Proteomics Laboratory, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal and Department of Biochemistry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, H2W 1R7 Canada
| | - Zachary F Burton
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1319
| | - Mikhail Kashlev
- NCI-Frederick, National Institutes of Health, Center for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201.
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19
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The RPB2 flap loop of human RNA polymerase II is dispensable for transcription initiation and elongation. Mol Cell Biol 2011; 31:3312-25. [PMID: 21670157 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.05318-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The flap domain of multisubunit RNA polymerases (RNAPs), also called the wall, forms one side of the RNA exit channel. In bacterial RNAP, the mobile part of the flap is called the flap tip and makes essential contacts with initiation and elongation factors. Cocrystal structures suggest that the orthologous part of eukaryotic RNAPII, called the flap loop, contacts transcription factor IIB (TFIIB), but the function of the flap loop has not been assessed. We constructed and tested a deletion of the flap loop in human RNAPII (subunit RPB2 Δ873-884) that removes the flap loop interaction interface with TFIIB. Genome-wide analysis of the distribution of the RNAPII with the flap loop deletion expressed in a human embryonic kidney cell line (HEK 293) revealed no effect of the flap loop on global transcription initiation, RNAPII occupancy within genes, or the efficiency of promoter escape and productive elongation. In vitro, the flap loop deletion had no effect on promoter binding, abortive initiation or promoter escape, TFIIS-stimulated transcript cleavage, or inhibition of transcript elongation by the complex of negative elongation factor (NELF) and 5,6-dichloro-1-β-d-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole (DRB) sensitivity-inducing factor (DSIF). A modest effect on transcript elongation and pausing was suppressed by TFIIF. Although similar to the flap tip of bacterial RNAP, the RNAPII flap loop is not equivalently essential.
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20
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Seibold SA, Singh BN, Zhang C, Kireeva M, Domecq C, Bouchard A, Nazione AM, Feig M, Cukier RI, Coulombe B, Kashlev M, Hampsey M, Burton ZF. Conformational coupling, bridge helix dynamics and active site dehydration in catalysis by RNA polymerase. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2010; 1799:575-87. [PMID: 20478425 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2010.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2010] [Revised: 04/21/2010] [Accepted: 05/07/2010] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Molecular dynamics simulation of Thermus thermophilus (Tt) RNA polymerase (RNAP) in a catalytic conformation demonstrates that the active site dNMP-NTP base pair must be substantially dehydrated to support full active site closing and optimum conditions for phosphodiester bond synthesis. In silico mutant beta R428A RNAP, which was designed based on substitutions at the homologous position (Rpb2 R512) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sc) RNAP II, was used as a reference structure to compare to Tt RNAP in simulations. Long range conformational coupling linking a dynamic segment of the bridge alpha-helix, the extended fork loop, the active site, and the trigger loop-trigger helix is apparent and adversely affected in beta R428A RNAP. Furthermore, bridge helix bending is detected in the catalytic structure, indicating that bridge helix dynamics may regulate phosphodiester bond synthesis as well as translocation. An active site "latch" assembly that includes a key trigger helix residue Tt beta' H1242 and highly conserved active site residues beta E445 and R557 appears to help regulate active site hydration/dehydration. The potential relevance of these observations in understanding RNAP and DNAP induced fit and fidelity is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve A Seibold
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, E. Lansing, MI 48824-1319, USA
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21
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Kireeva M, Kashlev M, Burton ZF. Translocation by multi-subunit RNA polymerases. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2010; 1799:389-401. [PMID: 20097318 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2010.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2009] [Revised: 01/14/2010] [Accepted: 01/14/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
DNA template and RNA/DNA hybrid movement through RNA polymerase (RNAP) is referred to as "translocation". Because nucleic acid movement is coupled to NTP loading, pyrophosphate release, and conformational changes, the precise ordering of events during bond addition is consequential. Moreover, based on several lines of experimental evidence, translocation, pyrophosphate release or an associated conformational change may determine the transcription elongation rate. In this review we discuss various models of translocation, the data supporting the hypothesis that translocation rate determines transcription elongation rate and also data that may be inconsistent with this point of view. A model of the nucleotide addition cycle accommodating available experimental data is proposed. On the basis of this model, the molecular mechanisms regulating translocation and potential routes for NTP entry are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Kireeva
- National Cancer Institute-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702-1201, USA
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22
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Abstract
Until recently, it was generally assumed that essentially all regulation of transcription takes place via regions adjacent to the coding region of a gene--namely promoters and enhancers--and that, after recruitment to the promoter, the polymerase simply behaves like a machine, quickly "reading the gene." However, over the past decade a revolution in this thinking has occurred, culminating in the idea that transcript elongation is extremely complex and highly regulated and, moreover, that this process significantly affects both the organization and integrity of the genome. This review addresses basic aspects of transcript elongation by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) and how it relates to other DNA-related processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke A Selth
- Mechanisms of Transcription Laboratory, Clare Hall Laboratories, Cancer Research UK London Research Institute, South Mimms, Hertfordshire EN6 3LD, United Kingdom
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23
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Eichner J, Chen HT, Warfield L, Hahn S. Position of the general transcription factor TFIIF within the RNA polymerase II transcription preinitiation complex. EMBO J 2009; 29:706-16. [PMID: 20033062 DOI: 10.1038/emboj.2009.386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2009] [Accepted: 12/01/2009] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The RNA polymerase (pol) II general transcription factor TFIIF functions at several steps in transcription initiation including preinitiation complex (PIC) formation and start site selection. We find that two structured TFIIF domains bind Pol II at separate locations far from the active site with the TFIIF dimerization domain on the Pol II lobe and the winged helix domain of the TFIIF small subunit Tfg2 above the Pol II protrusion where it may interact with upstream promoter DNA. Binding of the winged helix to the protrusion is PIC specific. Anchoring of these two structured TFIIF domains at separate sites locates an essential and unstructured region of Tfg2 near the Pol II active site cleft where it may interact with flexible regions of Pol II and the general factor TFIIB to promote initiation and start site selection. Consistent with this mechanism, mutations far from the enzyme active site, which alter the binding of either structured TFIIF domains to Pol II, have similar defects in transcription start site usage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse Eichner
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
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24
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Erie DA, Kennedy SR. Forks, pincers, and triggers: the tools for nucleotide incorporation and translocation in multi-subunit RNA polymerases. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2009; 19:708-14. [PMID: 19913407 PMCID: PMC3979713 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2009.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2009] [Revised: 10/12/2009] [Accepted: 10/14/2009] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The central role of RNA polymerase (RNAP) is to catalyze the processive synthesis of a growing RNA transcript. Recent structural and biophysical data have led to a deeper understanding of the nucleotide addition cycle and insight into the structure-function relationships that govern transcription elongation. In this review, we discuss kinetic data on nucleotide incorporation in the context of crystal structures, which show RNAP in multiple conformations. We present a facilitated Brownian ratchet model of nucleotide incorporation, in which templated NTP binding to a non-catalytic site in the main channel promotes the conformational changes that lead to opening of the catalytic site and translocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothy A Erie
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States.
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25
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Yang C, Khaperskyy DA, Hou M, Ponticelli AS. Improved methods for expression and purification of Saccharomyces cerevisiae TFIIF and TFIIH; identification of a functional Escherichia coli promoter and internal translation initiation within the N-terminal coding region of the TFIIF TFG1 subunit. Protein Expr Purif 2009; 70:172-8. [PMID: 19818408 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2009.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2009] [Revised: 09/28/2009] [Accepted: 09/29/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The basal RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcription machinery is composed of RNAPII and the general transcription factors (TF) TATA binding protein (TBP), TFIIB, TFIIE, TFIIF and TFIIH. Due to the powerful genetic and molecular approaches that can be utilized, the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has proven to be an invaluable model system for studies of the mechanisms of RNAPII transcription. Complementary biochemical studies of the S. cerevisiae basal transcription machinery, however, have been hampered by difficulties in the purification of TFIIF and TFIIH, most notably due to the severe toxicity of the TFIIF Tfg1 subunit in Escherichia coli and the complexity of the purification scheme for native TFIIH. Here, we report the elimination of TFG1-associated toxicity in E. coli, the identification and removal of a functional E. coli promoter and internal translation initiation within the N-terminal coding region of TFG1, and the efficient production and two-step purification of recombinant TFIIF complexes. We also report conditions for the efficient two-step tandem affinity purification (TAP) of holo-TFIIH, core TFIIH and TFIIK complexes from yeast whole cell extracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Yang
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14214-3000, USA
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26
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Abstract
RNA polymerase (RNAP) is a complex molecular machine that governs gene expression and its regulation in all cellular organisms. To accomplish its function of accurately producing a full-length RNA copy of a gene, RNAP performs a plethora of chemical reactions and undergoes multiple conformational changes in response to cellular conditions. At the heart of this machine is the active center, the engine, which is composed of distinct fixed and moving parts that serve as the ultimate acceptor of regulatory signals and as the target of inhibitory drugs. Recent advances in the structural and biochemical characterization of RNAP explain the active center at the atomic level and enable new approaches to understanding the entire transcription mechanism, its exceptional fidelity and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgeny Nudler
- Department of Biochemistry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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27
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Walmacq C, Kireeva ML, Irvin J, Nedialkov Y, Lubkowska L, Malagon F, Strathern JN, Kashlev M. Rpb9 subunit controls transcription fidelity by delaying NTP sequestration in RNA polymerase II. J Biol Chem 2009; 284:19601-12. [PMID: 19439405 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m109.006908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Rpb9 is a small non-essential subunit of yeast RNA polymerase II located on the surface on the enzyme. Deletion of the RPB9 gene shows synthetic lethality with the low fidelity rpb1-E1103G mutation localized in the trigger loop, a mobile element of the catalytic Rpb1 subunit, which has been shown to control transcription fidelity. Similar to the rpb1-E1103G mutation, the RPB9 deletion substantially enhances NTP misincorporation and increases the rate of mismatch extension with the next cognate NTP in vitro. Using pre-steady state kinetic analysis, we show that RPB9 deletion promotes sequestration of NTPs in the polymerase active center just prior to the phosphodiester bond formation. We propose a model in which the Rpb9 subunit controls transcription fidelity by delaying the closure of the trigger loop on the incoming NTP via interaction between the C-terminal domain of Rpb9 and the trigger loop. Our findings reveal a mechanism for regulation of transcription fidelity by protein factors located at a large distance from the active center of RNA polymerase II.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celine Walmacq
- NCI Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA
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28
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Kireeva M, Nedialkov YA, Gong XQ, Zhang C, Xiong Y, Moon W, Burton ZF, Kashlev M. Millisecond phase kinetic analysis of elongation catalyzed by human, yeast, and Escherichia coli RNA polymerase. Methods 2009; 48:333-45. [PMID: 19398005 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2009.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2008] [Revised: 04/05/2009] [Accepted: 04/06/2009] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Strategies for assembly and analysis of human, yeast, and bacterial RNA polymerase elongation complexes are described, and methods are shown for millisecond phase kinetic analyses of elongation using rapid chemical quench flow. Human, yeast, and bacterial RNA polymerases function very similarly in NTP-Mg2+ commitment and phosphodiester bond formation. A "running start, two-bond, double-quench" protocol is described and its advantages discussed. These studies provide information about stable NTP-Mg2+ loading, phosphodiester bond synthesis, the processive transition between bonds, and sequence-specific effects on transcription elongation dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Kireeva
- Gene Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute-Frederick, Bldg. 539, Room 222, Frederick, MD 21702-1201, USA
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29
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Bai L, Shundrovsky A, Wang MD. Kinetic Modeling of Transcription Elongation. RNA POLYMERASES AS MOLECULAR MOTORS 2009. [DOI: 10.1039/9781847559982-00263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lu Bai
- Department of Physics, Cornell University Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics Ithaca NY 14853 USA
- Current address: The Rockefeller University New York NY 10065 USA
| | - Alla Shundrovsky
- Department of Physics, Cornell University Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics Ithaca NY 14853 USA
- Current address: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Yale University New Haven CT 06511 USA
| | - Michelle D. Wang
- Department of Physics, Cornell University Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics Ithaca NY 14853 USA
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30
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Cheng TF, Hu X, Gnatt A, Brooks PJ. Differential blocking effects of the acetaldehyde-derived DNA lesion N2-ethyl-2'-deoxyguanosine on transcription by multisubunit and single subunit RNA polymerases. J Biol Chem 2008; 283:27820-27828. [PMID: 18669632 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m804086200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Acetaldehyde, the first metabolite of ethanol, reacts with DNA to form adducts, including N(2)-ethyl-2'-deoxyguanosine (N(2)-Et-dG). Although the effects of N(2)-Et-dG on DNA polymerases have been well studied, nothing is known about possible effects of this lesion on transcription by RNA polymerases (RNAPs). Using primer extension assays in vitro, we found that a single N(2)-Et-dG lesion is a strong block to both mammalian RNAPII and two other multisubunit RNAPs, (yeast RNAPII and Escherichia coli RNAP), as well as to T7 RNAP. However, the mechanism of transcription blockage appears to differ between the multisubunit RNAPs and T7 RNAP. Specifically, all three of the multisubunit RNAPs can incorporate a single rNTP residue opposite the lesion, whereas T7 RNAP is essentially unable to do so. Using the mammalian RNAPII, we found that CMP is exclusively incorporated opposite the N(2)-Et-dG lesion. In addition, we also show that the accessory transcription factor TFIIS does not act as a lesion bypass factor, as it does for other nonbulky DNA lesions; instead, it stimulates the polymerase to remove the CMP incorporated opposite the lesion by mammalian RNAPII. We also include models of the N(2)-Et-dG within the active site of yeast RNAPII, which are compatible with our observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsu-Fan Cheng
- Section on Molecular Neurobiology, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Xiaopeng Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Averell Gnatt
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Philip J Brooks
- Section on Molecular Neurobiology, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
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31
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Johnson RS, Strausbauch M, Cooper R, Register JK. Rapid kinetic analysis of transcription elongation by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase. J Mol Biol 2008; 381:1106-13. [PMID: 18638485 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2008.06.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2008] [Revised: 06/27/2008] [Accepted: 06/28/2008] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Nucleotide incorporation during transcription by RNA polymerase is accompanied by pyrophosphate formation. Rapid release of pyrophosphate from the elongation complex at a rate consistent with productive transcription elongation occurs only in the presence of the correct next nucleotide for incorporation into the transcript.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald S Johnson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA.
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32
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Kireeva ML, Nedialkov YA, Cremona GH, Purtov YA, Lubkowska L, Malagon F, Burton ZF, Strathern JN, Kashlev M. Transient reversal of RNA polymerase II active site closing controls fidelity of transcription elongation. Mol Cell 2008; 30:557-66. [PMID: 18538654 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2008.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2007] [Revised: 03/05/2008] [Accepted: 04/28/2008] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
To study fidelity of RNA polymerase II (Pol II), we analyzed properties of the 6-azauracil-sensitive and TFIIS-dependent E1103G mutant of rbp1 (rpo21), the gene encoding the catalytic subunit of Pol II in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Using an in vivo retrotransposition-based transcription fidelity assay, we observed that rpb1-E1103G causes a 3-fold increase in transcription errors. This mutant showed a 10-fold decrease in fidelity of transcription elongation in vitro. The mutation does not appear to significantly affect translocation state equilibrium of Pol II in a stalled elongation complex. Primarily, it promotes NTP sequestration in the polymerase active center. Furthermore, pre-steady-state analyses revealed that the E1103G mutation shifted the equilibrium between the closed and the open active center conformations toward the closed form. Thus, open conformation of the active center emerges as an intermediate essential for preincorporation fidelity control. Similar mechanisms may control fidelity of DNA-dependent DNA polymerases and RNA-dependent RNA polymerases.
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33
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Functions of Saccharomyces cerevisiae TFIIF during transcription start site utilization. Mol Cell Biol 2008; 28:3757-66. [PMID: 18362165 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.02272-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that substitutions in the Tfg1 or Tfg2 subunits of Saccharomyces cerevisiae transcription factor IIF (TFIIF) can cause upstream shifts in start site utilization, resulting in initiation patterns that more closely resemble those of higher eukaryotes. In this study, we report the results from multiple biochemical assays analyzing the activities of wild-type yeast TFIIF and the TFIIF Tfg1 mutant containing the E346A substitution (Tfg1-E346A). We demonstrate that TFIIF stimulates formation of the first two phosphodiester bonds and dramatically stabilizes a short RNA-DNA hybrid in the RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) active center and, importantly, that the Tfg1-E346A substitution coordinately enhances early bond formation and the processivity of early elongation in vitro. These results are discussed within a proposed model for the role of yeast TFIIF in modulating conformational changes in the RNAPII active center during initiation and early elongation.
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34
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Cojocaru M, Jeronimo C, Forget D, Bouchard A, Bergeron D, Côte P, Poirier GG, Greenblatt J, Coulombe B. Genomic location of the human RNA polymerase II general machinery: evidence for a role of TFIIF and Rpb7 at both early and late stages of transcription. Biochem J 2008; 409:139-47. [PMID: 17848138 PMCID: PMC4498901 DOI: 10.1042/bj20070751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The functions ascribed to the mammalian GTFs (general transcription factors) during the various stages of the RNAPII (RNA polymerase II) transcription reaction are based largely on in vitro studies. To gain insight as to the functions of the GTFs in living cells, we have analysed the genomic location of several human GTF and RNAPII subunits carrying a TAP (tandem-affinity purification) tag. ChIP (chromatin immunoprecipitation) experiments using anti-tag beads (TAP-ChIP) allowed the systematic localization of the tagged factors. Enrichment of regions located close to the TIS (transcriptional initiation site) versus further downstream TRs (transcribed regions) of nine human genes, selected for the minimal divergence of their alternative TIS, were analysed by QPCR (quantitative PCR). We show that, in contrast with reports using the yeast system, human TFIIF (transcription factor IIF) associates both with regions proximal to the TIS and with further downstream TRs, indicating an in vivo function in elongation for this GTF. Unexpectedly, we found that the Rpb7 subunit of RNAPII, known to be required only for the initiation phase of transcription, remains associated with the polymerase during early elongation. Moreover, ChIP experiments conducted under stress conditions suggest that Rpb7 is involved in the stabilization of transcribing polymerase molecules, from initiation to late elongation stages. Together, our results provide for the first time a general picture of GTF function during the RNAPII transcription reaction in live mammalian cells and show that TFIIF and Rpb7 are involved in both early and late transcriptional stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilena Cojocaru
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, 110 avenue des Pins Ouest, Montréal, QC, Canada H2W 1R7
| | - Célia Jeronimo
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, 110 avenue des Pins Ouest, Montréal, QC, Canada H2W 1R7
| | - Diane Forget
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, 110 avenue des Pins Ouest, Montréal, QC, Canada H2W 1R7
| | - Annie Bouchard
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, 110 avenue des Pins Ouest, Montréal, QC, Canada H2W 1R7
| | - Dominique Bergeron
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, 110 avenue des Pins Ouest, Montréal, QC, Canada H2W 1R7
| | - Pierre Côte
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, 110 avenue des Pins Ouest, Montréal, QC, Canada H2W 1R7
| | - Guy G. Poirier
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de QC, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Jack Greenblatt
- Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Benoit Coulombe
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, 110 avenue des Pins Ouest, Montréal, QC, Canada H2W 1R7
- To whom correspondence should be addressed, at Laboratory of Gene Transcription and Proteomics, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, 110 avenue des Pins Ouest, Montréal, QC, Canada H2W 1R7 ()
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Xiong Y, Burton ZF. A tunable ratchet driving human RNA polymerase II translocation adjusted by accurately templated nucleoside triphosphates loaded at downstream sites and by elongation factors. J Biol Chem 2007; 282:36582-92. [PMID: 17875640 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m707014200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
When nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) substrates and alpha-amanitin are added to a human RNA polymerase II elongation complex simultaneously, the reaction becomes stalled in the core of the bond synthesis mechanism. The mode of stalling is influenced by NTP substrates at the active site and at downstream sites and by transcription factor IIF (TFIIF) and TFIIS. NTP substrates templated at i+2, i+3, and i+4 downstream DNA sites can reverse the previously stable binding of an NTP loaded at the i+1 substrate site. Deoxy-(d)NTPs and NDPs (nucleoside diphosphates) do not substitute for NTPs at the i+2 and i+3 positions (considered together) or the i+4, i+5, and i+6 positions (considered together). The mode of stalling is altered by changing the number of downstream template sites that are accurately occupied by NTPs and by changing NTP concentration. In the presence of the translocation blocker alpha-amanitin, a steady state condition is established in which RNA polymerase II stably loads an NTP substrate at i+1 and forms a phosphodiester bond but cannot rapidly complete bond synthesis by releasing pyrophosphate. These observations support a role for incoming NTP substrates in stimulating translocation; results appear inconsistent with the secondary pore being the sole route of NTP entry for human RNA polymerase II, and results indicate mechanisms of dynamic error avoidance and error correction during rapid RNA synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalin Xiong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1319, USA
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36
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Abstract
In eukaryotes, the core promoter serves as a platform for the assembly of transcription preinitiation complex (PIC) that includes TFIIA, TFIIB, TFIID, TFIIE, TFIIF, TFIIH, and RNA polymerase II (pol II), which function collectively to specify the transcription start site. PIC formation usually begins with TFIID binding to the TATA box, initiator, and/or downstream promoter element (DPE) found in most core promoters, followed by the entry of other general transcription factors (GTFs) and pol II through either a sequential assembly or a preassembled pol II holoenzyme pathway. Formation of this promoter-bound complex is sufficient for a basal level of transcription. However, for activator-dependent (or regulated) transcription, general cofactors are often required to transmit regulatory signals between gene-specific activators and the general transcription machinery. Three classes of general cofactors, including TBP-associated factors (TAFs), Mediator, and upstream stimulatory activity (USA)-derived positive cofactors (PC1/PARP-1, PC2, PC3/DNA topoisomerase I, and PC4) and negative cofactor 1 (NC1/HMGB1), normally function independently or in combination to fine-tune the promoter activity in a gene-specific or cell-type-specific manner. In addition, other cofactors, such as TAF1, BTAF1, and negative cofactor 2 (NC2), can also modulate TBP or TFIID binding to the core promoter. In general, these cofactors are capable of repressing basal transcription when activators are absent and stimulating transcription in the presence of activators. Here we review the roles of these cofactors and GTFs, as well as TBP-related factors (TRFs), TAF-containing complexes (TFTC, SAGA, SLIK/SALSA, STAGA, and PRC1) and TAF variants, in pol II-mediated transcription, with emphasis on the events occurring after the chromatin has been remodeled but prior to the formation of the first phosphodiester bond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary C Thomas
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106-4935, USA
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37
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Fish RN, Ammerman ML, Davie JK, Lu BF, Pham C, Howe L, Ponticelli AS, Kane CM. Genetic interactions between TFIIF and TFIIS. Genetics 2006; 173:1871-84. [PMID: 16648643 PMCID: PMC1569716 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.106.058834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2006] [Accepted: 04/28/2006] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The eukaryotic transcript elongation factor TFIIS is encoded by a nonessential gene, PPR2, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Disruptions of PPR2 are lethal in conjunction with a disruption in the nonessential gene TAF14/TFG3. While investigating which of the Taf14p-containing complexes may be responsible for the synthetic lethality between ppr2Delta and taf14Delta, we discovered genetic interactions between PPR2 and both TFG1 and TFG2 encoding the two larger subunits of the TFIIF complex that also contains Taf14p. Mutant alleles of tfg1 or tfg2 that render cells cold sensitive have improved growth at low temperature in the absence of TFIIS. Remarkably, the amino-terminal 130 amino acids of TFIIS, which are dispensable for the known in vitro and in vivo activities of TFIIS, are required to complement the lethality in taf14Delta ppr2Delta cells. Analyses of deletion and chimeric gene constructs of PPR2 implicate contributions by different regions of this N-terminal domain. No strong common phenotypes were identified for the ppr2Delta and taf14Delta strains, implying that the proteins are not functionally redundant. Instead, the absence of Taf14p in the cell appears to create a dependence on an undefined function of TFIIS mediated by its N-terminal region. This region of TFIIS is also at least in part responsible for the deleterious effect of TFIIS on tfg1 or tfg2 cold-sensitive cells. Together, these results suggest a physiologically relevant functional connection between TFIIS and TFIIF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel N Fish
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley 94720-3202, USA
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38
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Burton ZF, Feig M, Gong XQ, Zhang C, Nedialkov YA, Xiong Y. NTP-driven translocation and regulation of downstream template opening by multi-subunit RNA polymerases. Biochem Cell Biol 2005; 83:486-96. [PMID: 16094452 DOI: 10.1139/o05-059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Multi-subunit RNA polymerases bind nucleotide triphosphate (NTP) substrates in the pretranslocated state and carry the dNMP-NTP base pair into the active site for phosphoryl transfer. NTP-driven translocation requires that NTP substrates enter the main-enzyme channel before loading into the active site. Based on this model, a new view of fidelity and efficiency of RNA synthesis is proposed. The model predicts that, during processive elongation, NTP-driven translocation is coupled to a protein conformational change that allows pyrophosphate release: coupling the end of one bond-addition cycle to substrate loading and translocation for the next. We present a detailed model of the RNA polymerase II elongation complex based on 2 low-affinity NTP binding sites located in the main-enzyme channel. This model posits that NTP substrates, elongation factors, and the conserved Rpb2 subunit fork loop 2 cooperate to regulate opening of the downstream transcription bubble.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary F Burton
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, E. Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
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39
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Abbondanzieri EA, Greenleaf WJ, Shaevitz JW, Landick R, Block SM. Direct observation of base-pair stepping by RNA polymerase. Nature 2005; 438:460-5. [PMID: 16284617 PMCID: PMC1356566 DOI: 10.1038/nature04268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 568] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2005] [Accepted: 09/26/2005] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
During transcription, RNA polymerase (RNAP) moves processively along a DNA template, creating a complementary RNA. Here we present the development of an ultra-stable optical trapping system with ångström-level resolution, which we used to monitor transcriptional elongation by single molecules of Escherichia coli RNAP. Records showed discrete steps averaging 3.7 +/- 0.6 A, a distance equivalent to the mean rise per base found in B-DNA. By combining our results with quantitative gel analysis, we conclude that RNAP advances along DNA by a single base pair per nucleotide addition to the nascent RNA. We also determined the force-velocity relationship for transcription at both saturating and sub-saturating nucleotide concentrations; fits to these data returned a characteristic distance parameter equivalent to one base pair. Global fits were inconsistent with a model for movement incorporating a power stroke tightly coupled to pyrophosphate release, but consistent with a brownian ratchet model incorporating a secondary NTP binding site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elio A Abbondanzieri
- Department of Applied Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
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40
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Gong XQ, Zhang C, Feig M, Burton ZF. Dynamic error correction and regulation of downstream bubble opening by human RNA polymerase II. Mol Cell 2005; 18:461-70. [PMID: 15893729 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2005.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2004] [Revised: 03/02/2005] [Accepted: 04/21/2005] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The nucleotide triphosphate (NTP)-driven translocation hypothesis posits that NTP substrates bind to templated DNA sites prior to translocation into the active site. By using millisecond phase kinetics, we demonstrate this prediction in three different ways. First, we show that, in the presence of the translocation blocker alpha-amanitin, NTPs (but not deoxynucleotide triphosphate [dNTPs]) templated at downstream sites (i + 2 and i + 3) dislodge an active site (i + 1) NTP, which was otherwise fated to complete bond synthesis. Second, we show that NTPs templated at i + 2 and/or i + 3 downstream sites suppress misincorporation errors. Third, we show that NTPs templated at downstream sites stabilize the posttranslocated elongation complex at a stall position. Therefore, at least two NTP substrates pair to DNA templated sites downstream of the active site. These results demonstrate the mechanisms of NTP loading and transcriptional efficiency and fidelity for human RNA polymerase II and indicate regulation of downstream bubble opening by NTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Q Gong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
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41
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Kireeva ML, Hancock B, Cremona GH, Walter W, Studitsky VM, Kashlev M. Nature of the nucleosomal barrier to RNA polymerase II. Mol Cell 2005; 18:97-108. [PMID: 15808512 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2005.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2004] [Revised: 01/20/2005] [Accepted: 02/23/2005] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In the cell, RNA polymerase II (pol II) efficiently transcribes DNA packaged into nucleosomes, but in vitro encounters with the nucleosomes induce catalytic inactivation (arrest) of the pol II core enzyme. To determine potential mechanisms making nucleosomes transparent to transcription in vivo, we analyzed the nature of the nucleosome-induced arrest. We found that the arrests have been detected mostly at positions of strong intrinsic pause sites of DNA. The transient pausing makes pol II vulnerable to arrest, which involves backtracking of the elongation complex for a considerable distance on DNA. The histone-DNA contacts reestablished in front of pol II stabilize backtracked conformation of the polymerase. In agreement with this mechanism, blocking of backtracking prevents nucleosome-induced arrest. Transcript cleavage factor TFIIS reactivates the backtracked complexes and promotes pol II transcription through the nucleosome. Our findings establish the crucial role of elongation factors that suppress pol II pausing and backtracking for transcription in the context of chromatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria L Kireeva
- NCI Center for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA
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42
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Langelier MF, Baali D, Trinh V, Greenblatt J, Archambault J, Coulombe B. The highly conserved glutamic acid 791 of Rpb2 is involved in the binding of NTP and Mg(B) in the active center of human RNA polymerase II. Nucleic Acids Res 2005; 33:2629-39. [PMID: 15886393 PMCID: PMC1092279 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gki570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2005] [Revised: 04/21/2005] [Accepted: 04/21/2005] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During transcription by RNA polymerase (RNAP) II, the incoming ribonucleoside triphosphate (NTP) enters the catalytic center in association with an Mg2+ ion, termed metal B [Mg(B)]. When bound to RNAP II, Mg(B) is coordinated by the beta and gamma phosphates of the NTP, Rpb1 residues D481 and D483 and Rpb2 residue D837. Rpb2 residue D837 is highly conserved across species. Notably, its neighboring residue, E836 (E791 in human RNAP II), is also highly conserved. To probe the role of E791 in transcription, we have affinity purified and characterized a human RNAP II mutant in which this residue was substituted for alanine. Our results indicate that the transcription activity of the Rpb2 E791A mutant is impaired at low NTP concentrations both in vitro and in vivo. They also revealed that both its NTP polymerization and transcript cleavage activities are decreased at low Mg concentrations. Because Rpb2 residue E791 appears to be located too far from the NTP-Mg(B) complex to make direct contact at either the entry (E) or addition (A) site, we propose alternative mechanisms by which this highly conserved residue participates in loading NTP-Mg(B) in the active site during transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-France Langelier
- Laboratory of Gene Transcription, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal110 avenue des Pins Ouest, Montréal, Québec, Canada H2W 1R7
- Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, University of TorontoToronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1L6
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal110 avenue des Pins Ouest, Montréal, Québec, Canada H2W 1R7
| | - Dania Baali
- Laboratory of Gene Transcription, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal110 avenue des Pins Ouest, Montréal, Québec, Canada H2W 1R7
- Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, University of TorontoToronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1L6
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal110 avenue des Pins Ouest, Montréal, Québec, Canada H2W 1R7
| | - Vincent Trinh
- Laboratory of Gene Transcription, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal110 avenue des Pins Ouest, Montréal, Québec, Canada H2W 1R7
- Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, University of TorontoToronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1L6
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal110 avenue des Pins Ouest, Montréal, Québec, Canada H2W 1R7
| | - Jack Greenblatt
- Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, University of TorontoToronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1L6
| | - Jacques Archambault
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal110 avenue des Pins Ouest, Montréal, Québec, Canada H2W 1R7
| | - Benoit Coulombe
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +1 514 987 5662; Fax: +1 514 987 5663;
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43
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Zhang C, Zobeck KL, Burton ZF. Human RNA polymerase II elongation in slow motion: role of the TFIIF RAP74 alpha1 helix in nucleoside triphosphate-driven translocation. Mol Cell Biol 2005; 25:3583-95. [PMID: 15831464 PMCID: PMC1084311 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.25.9.3583-3595.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2004] [Revised: 12/27/2004] [Accepted: 12/31/2004] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of the RAP74 alpha1 helix of transcription factor IIF (TFIIF) in stimulating elongation by human RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) was examined using millisecond-phase transient-state kinetics. RAP74 deletion mutants RAP74(1-227), which includes an intact alpha1 helix, and RAP74(1-158), in which the alpha1 helix is deleted, were compared. Analysis of TFIIF RAP74-RAP30 complexes carrying the RAP74(1-158) deletion reveals the role of the alpha1 helix because this mutant has indistinguishable activity compared to TFIIF 74(W164A), which carries a critical point mutation in alpha1. We report adequate two-bond kinetic simulations for the reaction in the presence of TFIIF 74(1-227) + TFIIS and TFIIF 74(1-158) + TFIIS. TFIIF 74(1-158) is defective because it fails to promote forward translocation. Deletion of the RAP74 alpha1 helix results in increased occupancy of the backtracking, cleavage, and restart pathways at a stall position, indicating reverse translocation of the elongation complex. During elongation, TFIIF 74(1-158) fails to support detectable nucleoside triphosphate (NTP)-driven translocation from a stall position and is notably defective in supporting bond completion (NTP-driven translocation coupled to pyrophosphate release) during the processive transition between bonds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunfen Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, 224 Biochemistry Building, East Lansing, MI 48824-1319, USA
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Kettenberger H, Armache KJ, Cramer P. Complete RNA polymerase II elongation complex structure and its interactions with NTP and TFIIS. Mol Cell 2005; 16:955-65. [PMID: 15610738 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2004.11.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 345] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2004] [Revised: 11/19/2004] [Accepted: 11/23/2004] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The crystal structure of the complete 12 subunit RNA polymerase (pol) II bound to a transcription bubble and product RNA reveals incoming template and nontemplate DNA, a seven base pair DNA/RNA hybrid, and three nucleotides each of separating DNA and RNA. The complex adopts the posttranslocation state and accommodates a cocrystallized nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) substrate. The NTP binds in the active site pore at a position to interact with a DNA template base. Residues surrounding the NTP are conserved in all cellular RNA polymerases, suggesting a universal mechanism of NTP selection and incorporation. DNA-DNA and DNA-RNA strand separation may be explained by pol II-induced duplex distortions. Four protein loops partition the active center cleft, contribute to embedding the hybrid, prevent strand reassociation, and create an RNA exit tunnel. Binding of the elongation factor TFIIS realigns RNA in the active center, possibly converting the elongation complex to an alternative state less prone to stalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hubert Kettenberger
- Gene Center, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 25, 81377 Munich, Germany
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