1
|
Sharma S, Kapoor S, Ansari A, Tyagi AK. The general transcription factors (GTFs) of RNA polymerase II and their roles in plant development and stress responses. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2024:1-43. [PMID: 39361782 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2024.2408562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 09/03/2024] [Accepted: 09/21/2024] [Indexed: 10/05/2024]
Abstract
In eukaryotes, general transcription factors (GTFs) enable recruitment of RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II) to core promoters to facilitate initiation of transcription. Extensive research in mammals and yeast has unveiled their significance in basal transcription as well as in diverse biological processes. Unlike mammals and yeast, plant GTFs exhibit remarkable degree of variability and flexibility. This is because plant GTFs and GTF subunits are often encoded by multigene families, introducing complexity to transcriptional regulation at both cellular and biological levels. This review provides insights into the general transcription mechanism, GTF composition, and their cellular functions. It further highlights the involvement of RNA Pol II-related GTFs in plant development and stress responses. Studies reveal that GTFs act as important regulators of gene expression in specific developmental processes and help equip plants with resilience against adverse environmental conditions. Their functions may be direct or mediated through their cofactor nature. The versatility of GTFs in controlling gene expression, and thereby influencing specific traits, adds to the intricate complexity inherent in the plant system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shivam Sharma
- Inter-disciplinary Centre for Plant Genomics and Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Sanjay Kapoor
- Inter-disciplinary Centre for Plant Genomics and Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Athar Ansari
- Department of Biological Science, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Akhilesh Kumar Tyagi
- Inter-disciplinary Centre for Plant Genomics and Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Rambout X, Maquat LE. Nuclear mRNA decay: regulatory networks that control gene expression. Nat Rev Genet 2024; 25:679-697. [PMID: 38637632 PMCID: PMC11408106 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-024-00712-2] [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] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Proper regulation of mRNA production in the nucleus is critical for the maintenance of cellular homoeostasis during adaptation to internal and environmental cues. Over the past 25 years, it has become clear that the nuclear machineries governing gene transcription, pre-mRNA processing, pre-mRNA and mRNA decay, and mRNA export to the cytoplasm are inextricably linked to control the quality and quantity of mRNAs available for translation. More recently, an ever-expanding diversity of new mechanisms by which nuclear RNA decay factors finely tune the expression of protein-encoding genes have been uncovered. Here, we review the current understanding of how mammalian cells shape their protein-encoding potential by regulating the decay of pre-mRNAs and mRNAs in the nucleus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Rambout
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.
- Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.
| | - Lynne E Maquat
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.
- Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
You L, Wang C, Molodtsov V, Kuznedelov K, Miao X, Wenck BR, Ulisse P, Sanders TJ, Marshall CJ, Firlar E, Kaelber JT, Santangelo TJ, Ebright RH. Structural basis of archaeal FttA-dependent transcription termination. Nature 2024:10.1038/s41586-024-07979-9. [PMID: 39322680 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07979-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/27/2024]
Abstract
The ribonuclease FttA (also known as aCPSF and aCPSF1) mediates factor-dependent transcription termination in archaea1-3. Here we report the structure of a Thermococcus kodakarensis transcription pre-termination complex comprising FttA, Spt4, Spt5 and a transcription elongation complex (TEC). The structure shows that FttA interacts with the TEC in a manner that enables RNA to proceed directly from the TEC RNA-exit channel to the FttA catalytic centre and that enables endonucleolytic cleavage of RNA by FttA, followed by 5'→3' exonucleolytic cleavage of RNA by FttA and concomitant 5'→3' translocation of FttA on RNA, to apply mechanical force to the TEC and trigger termination. The structure further reveals that Spt5 bridges FttA and the TEC, explaining how Spt5 stimulates FttA-dependent termination. The results reveal functional analogy between bacterial and archaeal factor-dependent termination, functional homology between archaeal and eukaryotic factor-dependent termination, and fundamental mechanistic similarities in factor-dependent termination in bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linlin You
- Waksman Institute and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Chengyuan Wang
- Waksman Institute and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Center for Microbes, Development, and Health, Shanghai Institute of Immunity and Infection, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Vadim Molodtsov
- Waksman Institute and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Research Institute of Molecular and Cellular Medicine RUDN, Moscow, Russia
| | - Konstantin Kuznedelov
- Waksman Institute and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Xinyi Miao
- Waksman Institute and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Breanna R Wenck
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Paul Ulisse
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Travis J Sanders
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Craig J Marshall
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Emre Firlar
- Rutgers CryoEM and Nanoimaging Facility and Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Jason T Kaelber
- Rutgers CryoEM and Nanoimaging Facility and Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Thomas J Santangelo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Richard H Ebright
- Waksman Institute and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Yanagisawa T, Murayama Y, Ehara H, Goto M, Aoki M, Sekine SI. Structural basis of eukaryotic transcription termination by the Rat1 exonuclease complex. Nat Commun 2024; 15:7854. [PMID: 39245712 PMCID: PMC11381523 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52157-0] [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] [Accepted: 08/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The 5´-3´ exoribonuclease Rat1/Xrn2 is responsible for the termination of eukaryotic mRNA transcription by RNAPII. Rat1 forms a complex with its partner proteins, Rai1 and Rtt103, and acts as a "torpedo" to bind transcribing RNAPII and dissociate DNA/RNA from it. Here we report the cryo-electron microscopy structures of the Rat1-Rai1-Rtt103 complex and three Rat1-Rai1-associated RNAPII complexes (type-1, type-1b, and type-2) from the yeast, Komagataella phaffii. The Rat1-Rai1-Rtt103 structure revealed that Rat1 and Rai1 form a heterotetramer with a single Rtt103 bound between two Rai1 molecules. In the type-1 complex, Rat1-Rai1 forms a heterodimer and binds to the RNA exit site of RNAPII to extract RNA into the Rat1 exonuclease active site. This interaction changes the RNA path in favor of termination (the "pre-termination" state). The type-1b and type-2 complexes have no bound DNA/RNA, likely representing the "post-termination" states. These structures illustrate the termination mechanism of eukaryotic mRNA transcription.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuo Yanagisawa
- Laboratory for Transcription Structural Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Yuko Murayama
- Laboratory for Transcription Structural Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Ehara
- Laboratory for Transcription Structural Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Mie Goto
- Laboratory for Transcription Structural Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Mari Aoki
- Laboratory for Transcription Structural Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Shun-Ichi Sekine
- Laboratory for Transcription Structural Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Dard A, Van Breusegem F, Mhamdi A. Redox regulation of gene expression: proteomics reveals multiple previously undescribed redox-sensitive cysteines in transcription complexes and chromatin modifiers. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2024; 75:4476-4493. [PMID: 38642390 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erae177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
Redox signalling is crucial for regulating plant development and adaptation to environmental changes. Proteins with redox-sensitive cysteines can sense oxidative stress and modulate their functions. Recent proteomics efforts have comprehensively mapped the proteins targeted by oxidative modifications. The nucleus, the epicentre of transcriptional reprogramming, contains a large number of proteins that control gene expression. Specific redox-sensitive transcription factors have long been recognized as key players in decoding redox signals in the nucleus and thus in regulating transcriptional responses. Consequently, the redox regulation of the nuclear transcription machinery and its cofactors has received less attention. In this review, we screened proteomic datasets for redox-sensitive cysteines on proteins of the core transcription complexes and chromatin modifiers in Arabidopsis thaliana. Our analysis indicates that redox regulation affects every step of gene transcription, from initiation to elongation and termination. We report previously undescribed redox-sensitive subunits in transcription complexes and discuss the emerging challenges in unravelling the landscape of redox-regulated processes involved in nuclear gene transcription.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Avilien Dard
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Gent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, 9052 Gent, Belgium
| | - Frank Van Breusegem
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Gent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, 9052 Gent, Belgium
| | - Amna Mhamdi
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Gent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, 9052 Gent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lin MH, Jensen MK, Elrod ND, Chu HF, Haseley M, Beam AC, Huang KL, Chiang W, Russell WK, Williams K, Pröschel C, Wagner EJ, Tong L. Cytoplasmic binding partners of the Integrator endonuclease INTS11 and its paralog CPSF73 are required for their nuclear function. Mol Cell 2024; 84:2900-2917.e10. [PMID: 39032490 PMCID: PMC11316654 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.06.017] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
INTS11 and CPSF73 are metal-dependent endonucleases for Integrator and pre-mRNA 3'-end processing, respectively. Here, we show that the INTS11 binding partner BRAT1/CG7044, a factor important for neuronal fitness, stabilizes INTS11 in the cytoplasm and is required for Integrator function in the nucleus. Loss of BRAT1 in neural organoids leads to transcriptomic disruption and precocious expression of neurogenesis-driving transcription factors. The structures of the human INTS9-INTS11-BRAT1 and Drosophila dIntS11-CG7044 complexes reveal that the conserved C terminus of BRAT1/CG7044 is captured in the active site of INTS11, with a cysteine residue directly coordinating the metal ions. Inspired by these observations, we find that UBE3D is a binding partner for CPSF73, and UBE3D likely also uses a conserved cysteine residue to directly coordinate the active site metal ions. Our studies have revealed binding partners for INTS11 and CPSF73 that behave like cytoplasmic chaperones with a conserved impact on the nuclear functions of these enzymes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Min-Han Lin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Madeline K Jensen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA
| | - Nathan D Elrod
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA
| | - Hsu-Feng Chu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - MaryClaire Haseley
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Alissa C Beam
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Kai-Lieh Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA
| | - Wesley Chiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - William K Russell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA
| | - Kelsey Williams
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Christoph Pröschel
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Eric J Wagner
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA.
| | - Liang Tong
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lopez Martinez D, Svejstrup JQ. Mechanisms of RNA Polymerase II Termination at the 3'-End of Genes. J Mol Biol 2024:168735. [PMID: 39098594 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2024.168735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) is responsible for the synthesis of a diverse set of RNA molecules, including protein-coding messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and many short non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). For this purpose, RNAPII relies on a multitude of factors that regulate the transcription cycle, from initiation and promoter-proximal pausing, through elongation and finally termination. RNAPII transcription termination at the end of genes ensures the release of RNAPII from the DNA template and its efficient recycling for further rounds of transcription. Termination of RNAPII is tightly coupled to 3'-end mRNA processing, which constitutes an important trigger for the subsequent transcription termination event. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of RNAPII termination mechanisms, focusing on 'canonical' termination at the 3'-end of genes. We also integrate the allosteric and 'torpedo' models into a unified model of termination, and describe the different termination factors that have been identified to date, paying special attention to the human factors and their mechanism of action at the molecular level. Indeed, in recent years the development of novel approaches in structural biology, biochemistry and cell biology have together led to a more detailed comprehension of the different mechanisms of RNAPII termination, and a better understanding of their importance in regulating gene expression, especially under cellular stress and pathological situations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Lopez Martinez
- Centre for Gene Expression, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Jesper Q Svejstrup
- Centre for Gene Expression, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Estell C, West S. ZC3H4/Restrictor Exerts a Stranglehold on Pervasive Transcription. J Mol Biol 2024:168707. [PMID: 39002716 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2024.168707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 07/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
The regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) underpins all cellular processes and is perturbed in thousands of diseases. In humans, RNAPII transcribes ∼20000 protein-coding genes and engages in apparently futile non-coding transcription at thousands of other sites. Despite being so ubiquitous, this transcription is usually attenuated soon after initiation and the resulting products are immediately degraded by the nuclear exosome. We and others have recently described a new complex, "Restrictor", which appears to control such unproductive transcription. Underpinned by the RNA binding protein, ZC3H4, Restrictor curtails unproductive/pervasive transcription genome-wide. Here, we discuss these recent discoveries and speculate on some of the many unknowns regarding Restrictor function and mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chris Estell
- The Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK.
| | - Steven West
- The Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Gorjifard S, Jores T, Tonnies J, Mueth NA, Bubb K, Wrightsman T, Buckler ES, Fields S, Cuperus JT, Queitsch C. Arabidopsis and maize terminator strength is determined by GC content, polyadenylation motifs and cleavage probability. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5868. [PMID: 38997252 PMCID: PMC11245536 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50174-7] [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: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The 3' end of a gene, often called a terminator, modulates mRNA stability, localization, translation, and polyadenylation. Here, we adapted Plant STARR-seq, a massively parallel reporter assay, to measure the activity of over 50,000 terminators from the plants Arabidopsis thaliana and Zea mays. We characterize thousands of plant terminators, including many that outperform bacterial terminators commonly used in plants. Terminator activity is species-specific, differing in tobacco leaf and maize protoplast assays. While recapitulating known biology, our results reveal the relative contributions of polyadenylation motifs to terminator strength. We built a computational model to predict terminator strength and used it to conduct in silico evolution that generated optimized synthetic terminators. Additionally, we discover alternative polyadenylation sites across tens of thousands of terminators; however, the strongest terminators tend to have a dominant cleavage site. Our results establish features of plant terminator function and identify strong naturally occurring and synthetic terminators.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sayeh Gorjifard
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Tobias Jores
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Jackson Tonnies
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Graduate Program in Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Nicholas A Mueth
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Kerry Bubb
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Travis Wrightsman
- Section of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Edward S Buckler
- Section of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
- Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
- Institute for Genomic Diversity, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Stanley Fields
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Josh T Cuperus
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Christine Queitsch
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Birkenheuer CH, Baines JD. Aberrant RNA polymerase initiation and processivity on the genome of a herpes simplex virus 1 mutant lacking ICP27. J Virol 2024; 98:e0071224. [PMID: 38780246 PMCID: PMC11237563 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00712-24] [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: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Within the first 15 minutes of infection, herpes simplex virus 1 immediate early proteins repurpose cellular RNA polymerase (Pol II) for viral transcription. An important role of the viral-infected cell protein 27 (ICP27) is to facilitate viral pre-mRNA processing and export viral mRNA to the cytoplasm. Here, we use precision nuclear run-on followed by deep sequencing (PRO-seq) to characterize transcription of a viral ICP27 null mutant. At 1.5 and 3 hours post infection (hpi), we observed increased total levels of Pol II on the mutant viral genome and accumulation of Pol II downstream of poly A sites indicating increased levels of initiation and processivity. By 6 hpi, Pol II accumulation on specific mutant viral genes was higher than that on wild-type virus either at or upstream of poly A signals, depending on the gene. The PRO-seq profile of the ICP27 mutant on late genes at 6 hpi was similar but not identical to that caused by treatment with flavopiridol, a known inhibitor of RNA processivity. This pattern was different from PRO-seq profiles of other α gene mutants and upon inhibition of viral DNA replication with PAA. Together, these results indicate that ICP27 contributes to the repression of aberrant viral transcription at 1.5 and 3 hpi by inhibiting initiation and decreasing RNA processivity. However, ICP27 is needed to enhance processivity on most late genes by 6 hpi in a mechanism distinguishable from its role in viral DNA replication.IMPORTANCEWe developed and validated the use of a processivity index for precision nuclear run-on followed by deep sequencing data. The processivity index calculations confirm infected cell protein 27 (ICP27) induces downstream of transcription termination on certain host genes. The processivity indices and whole gene probe data implicate ICP27 in transient immediate early gene-mediated repression, a process that also requires ICP4, ICP22, and ICP0. The data indicate that ICP27 directly or indirectly regulates RNA polymerase (Pol II) initiation and processivity on specific genes at specific times post infection. These observations support specific and varied roles for ICP27 in regulating Pol II activity on viral genes in addition to its known roles in post transcriptional mRNA processing and export.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claire H. Birkenheuer
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Joel D. Baines
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Fianu I, Ochmann M, Walshe JL, Dybkov O, Cruz JN, Urlaub H, Cramer P. Structural basis of Integrator-dependent RNA polymerase II termination. Nature 2024; 629:219-227. [PMID: 38570683 PMCID: PMC11062913 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07269-4] [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] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
The Integrator complex can terminate RNA polymerase II (Pol II) in the promoter-proximal region of genes. Previous work has shed light on how Integrator binds to the paused elongation complex consisting of Pol II, the DRB sensitivity-inducing factor (DSIF) and the negative elongation factor (NELF) and how it cleaves the nascent RNA transcript1, but has not explained how Integrator removes Pol II from the DNA template. Here we present three cryo-electron microscopy structures of the complete Integrator-PP2A complex in different functional states. The structure of the pre-termination complex reveals a previously unresolved, scorpion-tail-shaped INTS10-INTS13-INTS14-INTS15 module that may use its 'sting' to open the DSIF DNA clamp and facilitate termination. The structure of the post-termination complex shows that the previously unresolved subunit INTS3 and associated sensor of single-stranded DNA complex (SOSS) factors prevent Pol II rebinding to Integrator after termination. The structure of the free Integrator-PP2A complex in an inactive closed conformation2 reveals that INTS6 blocks the PP2A phosphatase active site. These results lead to a model for how Integrator terminates Pol II transcription in three steps that involve major rearrangements.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Fianu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Moritz Ochmann
- Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - James L Walshe
- Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Olexandr Dybkov
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Joseph Neos Cruz
- Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Henning Urlaub
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, Bioanalytics Group, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence 'Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells' (MBExC), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Patrick Cramer
- Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Song E, Han S, Hohng S, Kang C. Compatibility of termination mechanisms in bacterial transcription with inference on eukaryotic models. Biochem Soc Trans 2024; 52:887-897. [PMID: 38533838 DOI: 10.1042/bst20231229] [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] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Transcription termination has evolved to proceed through diverse mechanisms. For several classes of terminators, multiple models have been debatably proposed. Recent single-molecule studies on bacterial terminators have resolved several long-standing controversies. First, termination mode or outcome is twofold rather than single. RNA is released alone before DNA or together with DNA from RNA polymerase (RNAP), i.e. with RNA release for termination, RNAP retains on or dissociates off DNA, respectively. The concomitant release, described in textbooks, results in one-step decomposition of transcription complexes, and this 'decomposing termination' prevails at ρ factor-dependent terminators. Contrastingly, the sequential release was recently discovered abundantly from RNA hairpin-dependent intrinsic terminations. RNA-only release allows RNAP to diffuse on DNA in both directions and recycle for reinitiation. This 'recycling termination' enables one-dimensional reinitiation, which would be more expeditious than three-dimensional reinitiation by RNAP dissociated at decomposing termination. Second, while both recycling and decomposing terminations occur at a hairpin-dependent terminator, four termination mechanisms compatibly operate at a ρ-dependent terminator with ρ in alternative modes and even intrinsically without ρ. RNA-bound catch-up ρ mediates recycling termination first and decomposing termination later, while RNAP-prebound stand-by ρ invokes only decomposing termination slowly. Without ρ, decomposing termination occurs slightly and sluggishly. These four mechanisms operate on distinct timescales, providing orderly fail-safes. The stand-by mechanism is benefited by terminational pause prolongation and modulated by accompanying riboswitches more greatly than the catch-up mechanisms. Conclusively, any mechanism alone is insufficient to perfect termination, and multiple mechanisms operate compatibly to achieve maximum possible efficiency under separate controls.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eunho Song
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, and Institute of Applied Physics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Han
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, and Institute of Applied Physics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungchul Hohng
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, and Institute of Applied Physics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Changwon Kang
- Department of Biological Sciences, and KAIST Stem Cell Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Kajiwara T, Miyazaki M, Yamaoka S, Yoshitake Y, Yasui Y, Nishihama R, Kohchi T. Transcription of the Antisense Long Non-Coding RNA, SUPPRESSOR OF FEMINIZATION, Represses Expression of the Female-Promoting Gene FEMALE GAMETOPHYTE MYB in the Liverwort Marchantia polymorpha. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 65:338-349. [PMID: 38174428 PMCID: PMC11020262 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcad170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Sexual differentiation is a fundamental process in the life cycles of land plants, ensuring successful sexual reproduction and thereby contributing to species diversity and survival. In the dioicous liverwort Marchantia polymorpha, this process is governed by an autosomal sex-differentiation locus comprising FEMALE GAMETOPHYTE MYB (FGMYB), a female-promoting gene, and SUPPRESSOR OF FEMINIZATION (SUF), an antisense strand-encoded long non-coding RNA (lncRNA). SUF is specifically transcribed in male plants and suppresses the expression of FGMYB, leading to male differentiation. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this process remain elusive. Here, we show that SUF acts through its transcription to suppress FGMYB expression. Transgene complementation analysis using CRISPR/Cas9D10A-based large-deletion mutants identified a genomic region sufficient for the sex differentiation switch function in the FGMYB-SUF locus. Inserting a transcriptional terminator sequence into the SUF-transcribed region resulted in the loss of SUF function and allowed expression of FGMYB in genetically male plants, leading to conversion of the sex phenotype from male to female. Partial deletions of SUF had no obvious impact on its function. Replacement of the FGMYB sequence with that of an unrelated gene did not affect the ability of SUF transcription to suppress sense-strand expression. Taken together, our findings suggest that the process of SUF transcription, rather than the resulting transcripts, is required for controlling sex differentiation in M. polymorpha.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomoaki Kajiwara
- Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502 Japan
| | - Motoki Miyazaki
- Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502 Japan
| | - Shohei Yamaoka
- Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502 Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Yoshitake
- Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502 Japan
| | - Yukiko Yasui
- Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502 Japan
| | - Ryuichi Nishihama
- Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502 Japan
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba, 278-8510 Japan
| | - Takayuki Kohchi
- Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502 Japan
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Zeng Y, Zhang HW, Wu XX, Zhang Y. Structural basis of exoribonuclease-mediated mRNA transcription termination. Nature 2024; 628:887-893. [PMID: 38538796 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07240-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Efficient termination is required for robust gene transcription. Eukaryotic organisms use a conserved exoribonuclease-mediated mechanism to terminate the mRNA transcription by RNA polymerase II (Pol II)1-5. Here we report two cryogenic electron microscopy structures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pol II pre-termination transcription complexes bound to the 5'-to-3' exoribonuclease Rat1 and its partner Rai1. Our structures show that Rat1 displaces the elongation factor Spt5 to dock at the Pol II stalk domain. Rat1 shields the RNA exit channel of Pol II, guides the nascent RNA towards its active centre and stacks three nucleotides at the 5' terminus of the nascent RNA. The structures further show that Rat1 rotates towards Pol II as it shortens RNA. Our results provide the structural mechanism for the Rat1-mediated termination of mRNA transcription by Pol II in yeast and the exoribonuclease-mediated termination of mRNA transcription in other eukaryotes.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Cryoelectron Microscopy
- Exoribonucleases/chemistry
- Exoribonucleases/metabolism
- Exoribonucleases/ultrastructure
- Models, Molecular
- Protein Binding
- RNA Polymerase II/chemistry
- RNA Polymerase II/metabolism
- RNA Polymerase II/ultrastructure
- RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis
- RNA, Messenger/chemistry
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/ultrastructure
- RNA-Binding Proteins/chemistry
- RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism
- RNA-Binding Proteins/ultrastructure
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae/chemistry
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolism
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae/ultrastructure
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/chemistry
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/metabolism
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/ultrastructure
- Transcription Termination, Genetic
- Transcriptional Elongation Factors/chemistry
- Transcriptional Elongation Factors/metabolism
- Transcriptional Elongation Factors/ultrastructure
- Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone/chemistry
- Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone/metabolism
- Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone/ultrastructure
- Protein Domains
- RNA, Fungal/biosynthesis
- RNA, Fungal/chemistry
- RNA, Fungal/genetics
- RNA, Fungal/ultrastructure
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, National Key Laboratory of Plant Design, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hong-Wei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, National Key Laboratory of Plant Design, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Xian Wu
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, National Key Laboratory of Plant Design, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, National Key Laboratory of Plant Design, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Mofayezi A, Jadaliha M, Zangeneh FZ, Khoddami V. Poly(A) tale: From A to A; RNA polyadenylation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2024; 15:e1837. [PMID: 38485452 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Most eukaryotic mRNAs and different non-coding RNAs undergo a form of 3' end processing known as polyadenylation. Polyadenylation machinery is present in almost all organisms except few species. In bacteria, the machinery has evolved from PNPase, which adds heteropolymeric tails, to a poly(A)-specific polymerase. Differently, a complex machinery for accurate polyadenylation and several non-canonical poly(A) polymerases are developed in eukaryotes. The role of poly(A) tail has also evolved from serving as a degradative signal to a stabilizing modification that also regulates translation. In this review, we discuss poly(A) tail emergence in prokaryotes and its development into a stable, yet dynamic feature at the 3' end of mRNAs in eukaryotes. We also describe how appearance of novel poly(A) polymerases gives cells flexibility to shape poly(A) tail. We explain how poly(A) tail dynamics help regulate cognate RNA metabolism in a context-dependent manner, such as during oocyte maturation. Finally, we describe specific mRNAs in metazoans that bear stem-loops instead of poly(A) tails. We conclude with how recent discoveries about poly(A) tail can be applied to mRNA technology. This article is categorized under: RNA Evolution and Genomics > RNA and Ribonucleoprotein Evolution RNA Processing > 3' End Processing RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Regulation of RNA Stability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmadreza Mofayezi
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
- ReNAP Therapeutics, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdieh Jadaliha
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Vahid Khoddami
- ReNAP Therapeutics, Tehran, Iran
- Pediatric Cell and Gene Therapy Research Center, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Torres-Ulloa L, Calvo-Roitberg E, Pai AA. Genome-wide kinetic profiling of pre-mRNA 3' end cleavage. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 30:256-270. [PMID: 38164598 PMCID: PMC10870368 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079783.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Cleavage and polyadenylation is necessary for the formation of mature mRNA molecules. The rate at which this process occurs can determine the temporal availability of mRNA for subsequent function throughout the cell and is likely tightly regulated. Despite advances in high-throughput approaches for global kinetic profiling of RNA maturation, genome-wide 3' end cleavage rates have never been measured. Here, we describe a novel approach to estimate the rates of cleavage, using metabolic labeling of nascent RNA, high-throughput sequencing, and mathematical modeling. Using in silico simulations of nascent RNA-seq data, we show that our approach can accurately and precisely estimate cleavage half-lives for both constitutive and alternative sites. We find that 3' end cleavage is fast on average, with half-lives under a minute, but highly variable across individual sites. Rapid cleavage is promoted by the presence of canonical sequence elements and an increased density of polyadenylation signals near a cleavage site. Finally, we find that cleavage rates are associated with the localization of RNA polymerase II at the end of a gene, and faster cleavage leads to quicker degradation of downstream readthrough RNA. Our findings shed light on the features important for efficient 3' end cleavage and the regulation of transcription termination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leslie Torres-Ulloa
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA
| | - Ezequiel Calvo-Roitberg
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA
| | - Athma A Pai
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Graber JH, Hoskinson D, Liu H, Kaczmarek Michaels K, Benson PS, Maki NJ, Wilson CL, McGrath C, Puleo F, Pearson E, Kuehner JN, Moore C. Mutations in yeast Pcf11, a conserved protein essential for mRNA 3' end processing and transcription termination, elicit the Environmental Stress Response. Genetics 2024; 226:iyad199. [PMID: 37967370 PMCID: PMC10847720 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyad199] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The Pcf11 protein is an essential subunit of the large complex that cleaves and polyadenylates eukaryotic mRNA precursor. It has also been functionally linked to gene-looping, termination of RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) transcripts, and mRNA export. We have examined a poorly characterized but conserved domain (amino acids 142-225) of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pcf11 and found that while it is not needed for mRNA 3' end processing or termination downstream of the poly(A) sites of protein-coding genes, its presence improves the interaction with Pol II and the use of transcription terminators near gene promoters. Analysis of genome-wide Pol II occupancy in cells with Pcf11 missing this region, as well as Pcf11 mutated in the Pol II CTD Interacting Domain, indicates that systematic changes in mRNA expression are mediated primarily at the level of transcription. Global expression analysis also shows that a general stress response, involving both activation and suppression of specific gene sets known to be regulated in response to a wide variety of stresses, is induced in the two pcf11 mutants, even though cells are grown in optimal conditions. The mutants also cause an unbalanced expression of cell wall-related genes that does not activate the Cell Wall Integrity pathway but is associated with strong caffeine sensitivity. Based on these findings, we propose that Pcf11 can modulate the expression level of specific functional groups of genes in ways that do not involve its well-characterized role in mRNA 3' end processing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joel H Graber
- Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
| | - Derick Hoskinson
- Department of Development, Molecular, and Chemical Biology and School of Graduate Biomedical Science, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Huiyun Liu
- Department of Development, Molecular, and Chemical Biology and School of Graduate Biomedical Science, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Katarzyna Kaczmarek Michaels
- Department of Development, Molecular, and Chemical Biology and School of Graduate Biomedical Science, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Peter S Benson
- Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
| | - Nathaniel J Maki
- Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
| | | | - Caleb McGrath
- Department of Biology, Emmanuel College, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Franco Puleo
- Department of Development, Molecular, and Chemical Biology and School of Graduate Biomedical Science, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Erika Pearson
- Department of Development, Molecular, and Chemical Biology and School of Graduate Biomedical Science, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Jason N Kuehner
- Department of Biology, Emmanuel College, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Claire Moore
- Department of Development, Molecular, and Chemical Biology and School of Graduate Biomedical Science, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Archuleta SR, Goodrich JA, Kugel JF. Mechanisms and Functions of the RNA Polymerase II General Transcription Machinery during the Transcription Cycle. Biomolecules 2024; 14:176. [PMID: 38397413 PMCID: PMC10886972 DOI: 10.3390/biom14020176] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Central to the development and survival of all organisms is the regulation of gene expression, which begins with the process of transcription catalyzed by RNA polymerases. During transcription of protein-coding genes, the general transcription factors (GTFs) work alongside RNA polymerase II (Pol II) to assemble the preinitiation complex at the transcription start site, open the promoter DNA, initiate synthesis of the nascent messenger RNA, transition to productive elongation, and ultimately terminate transcription. Through these different stages of transcription, Pol II is dynamically phosphorylated at the C-terminal tail of its largest subunit, serving as a control mechanism for Pol II elongation and a signaling/binding platform for co-transcriptional factors. The large number of core protein factors participating in the fundamental steps of transcription add dense layers of regulation that contribute to the complexity of temporal and spatial control of gene expression within any given cell type. The Pol II transcription system is highly conserved across different levels of eukaryotes; however, most of the information here will focus on the human Pol II system. This review walks through various stages of transcription, from preinitiation complex assembly to termination, highlighting the functions and mechanisms of the core machinery that participates in each stage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - James A. Goodrich
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, 596 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309, USA;
| | - Jennifer F. Kugel
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, 596 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Che Z, Liu X, Dai Q, Fang K, Guo C, Yue J, Fang H, Xie P, Luo Z, Lin C. Distinct roles of two SEC scaffold proteins, AFF1 and AFF4, in regulating RNA polymerase II transcription elongation. J Mol Cell Biol 2024; 15:mjad049. [PMID: 37528066 PMCID: PMC11113081 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjad049] [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: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The super elongation complex (SEC) containing positive transcription elongation factor b plays a critical role in regulating transcription elongation. AFF1 and AFF4, two members of the AF4/FMR2 family, act as central scaffold proteins of SEC and are associated with various human diseases. However, their precise roles in transcriptional control remain unclear. Here, we investigate differences in the genomic distribution patterns of AFF1 and AFF4 around transcription start sites (TSSs). AFF1 mainly binds upstream of the TSS, while AFF4 is enriched downstream of the TSS. Notably, disruption of AFF4 results in slow elongation and early termination in a subset of AFF4-bound active genes, whereas AFF1 deletion leads to fast elongation and transcriptional readthrough in the same subset of genes. Additionally, AFF1 knockdown increases AFF4 levels at chromatin, and vice versa. In summary, these findings demonstrate that AFF1 and AFF4 function antagonistically to regulate RNA polymerase II transcription.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhuanzhuan Che
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Xiaoxu Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Qian Dai
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Ke Fang
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Chenghao Guo
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Junjie Yue
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Haitong Fang
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Peng Xie
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Zhuojuan Luo
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Chengqi Lin
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Zanin O, Eastham M, Winczura K, Ashe M, Martinez-Nunez RT, Hebenstreit D, Grzechnik P. Ceg1 depletion reveals mechanisms governing degradation of non-capped RNAs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1112. [PMID: 37919390 PMCID: PMC10622555 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05495-6] [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: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Most functional eukaryotic mRNAs contain a 5' 7-methylguanosine (m7G) cap. Although capping is essential for many biological processes including mRNA processing, export and translation, the fate of uncapped transcripts has not been studied extensively. Here, we employed fast nuclear depletion of the capping enzymes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to uncover the turnover of the transcripts that failed to be capped. We show that although the degradation of cap-deficient mRNA is dominant, the levels of hundreds of non-capped mRNAs increase upon depletion of the capping enzymes. Overall, the abundance of non-capped mRNAs is inversely correlated to the expression levels, altogether resembling the effects observed in cells lacking the cytoplasmic 5'-3' exonuclease Xrn1 and indicating differential degradation fates of non-capped mRNAs. The inactivation of the nuclear 5'-3' exonuclease Rat1 does not rescue the non-capped mRNA levels indicating that Rat1 is not involved in their degradation and consequently, the lack of the capping does not affect the distribution of RNA Polymerase II on the chromatin. Our data indicate that the cap presence is essential to initiate the Xrn1-dependent degradation of mRNAs underpinning the role of 5' cap in the Xrn1-dependent buffering of the cellular mRNA levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Onofrio Zanin
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
- School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Matthew Eastham
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Function, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Kinga Winczura
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Function, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Mark Ashe
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Function, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Rocio T Martinez-Nunez
- School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | | | - Pawel Grzechnik
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Function, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Yang DL, Huang K, Deng D, Zeng Y, Wang Z, Zhang Y. DNA-dependent RNA polymerases in plants. THE PLANT CELL 2023; 35:3641-3661. [PMID: 37453082 PMCID: PMC10533338 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koad195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
DNA-dependent RNA polymerases (Pols) transfer the genetic information stored in genomic DNA to RNA in all organisms. In eukaryotes, the typical products of nuclear Pol I, Pol II, and Pol III are ribosomal RNAs, mRNAs, and transfer RNAs, respectively. Intriguingly, plants possess two additional Pols, Pol IV and Pol V, which produce small RNAs and long noncoding RNAs, respectively, mainly for silencing transposable elements. The five plant Pols share some subunits, but their distinct functions stem from unique subunits that interact with specific regulatory factors in their transcription cycles. Here, we summarize recent advances in our understanding of plant nucleus-localized Pols, including their evolution, function, structures, and transcription cycles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Lei Yang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Kun Huang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Deyin Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, School of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, Lin’an, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Yuan Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zhenxing Wang
- College of Horticulture, National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Han Z, Moore GA, Mitter R, Lopez Martinez D, Wan L, Dirac Svejstrup AB, Rueda DS, Svejstrup JQ. DNA-directed termination of RNA polymerase II transcription. Mol Cell 2023; 83:3253-3267.e7. [PMID: 37683646 PMCID: PMC7615648 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.08.007] [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: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcription involves initiation from a promoter, transcriptional elongation through the gene, and termination in the terminator region. In bacteria, terminators often contain specific DNA elements provoking polymerase dissociation, but RNAPII transcription termination is thought to be driven entirely by protein co-factors. We used biochemical reconstitution, single-molecule studies, and genome-wide analysis in yeast to study RNAPII termination. Transcription into natural terminators by pure RNAPII results in spontaneous termination at specific sequences containing T-tracts. Single-molecule analysis indicates that termination involves pausing without backtracking. The "torpedo" Rat1-Rai1 exonuclease (XRN2 in humans) greatly stimulates spontaneous termination but is ineffectual on other paused RNAPIIs. By contrast, elongation factor Spt4-Spt5 (DSIF) suppresses termination. Genome-wide analysis further indicates that termination occurs by transcript cleavage at the poly(A) site exposing a new 5' RNA-end that allows Rat1-Rai1 loading, which then catches up with destabilized RNAPII at specific termination sites to end transcription.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhong Han
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark; Mechanisms of Transcription Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - George A Moore
- Single Molecule Imaging group, MRC-London Institute of Medical Sciences, and Section of Virology, Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Richard Mitter
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - David Lopez Martinez
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark; Mechanisms of Transcription Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Li Wan
- Mechanisms of Transcription Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - A Barbara Dirac Svejstrup
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark; Mechanisms of Transcription Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - David S Rueda
- Single Molecule Imaging group, MRC-London Institute of Medical Sciences, and Section of Virology, Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Jesper Q Svejstrup
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark; Mechanisms of Transcription Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Li J, Querl L, Coban I, Salinas G, Krebber H. Surveillance of 3' mRNA cleavage during transcription termination requires CF IB/Hrp1. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:8758-8773. [PMID: 37351636 PMCID: PMC10484732 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad530] [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: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
CF IB/Hrp1 is part of the cleavage and polyadenylation factor (CPF) and cleavage factor (CF) complex (CPF-CF), which is responsible for 3' cleavage and maturation of pre-mRNAs. Although Hrp1 supports this process, its presence is not essential for the cleavage event. Here, we show that the main function of Hrp1 in the CPF-CF complex is the nuclear mRNA quality control of proper 3' cleavage. As such, Hrp1 acts as a nuclear mRNA retention factor that hinders transcripts from leaving the nucleus until processing is completed. Only after proper 3' cleavage, which is sensed through contacting Rna14, Hrp1 recruits the export receptor Mex67, allowing nuclear export. Consequently, its absence results in the leakage of elongated mRNAs into the cytoplasm. If cleavage is defective, the presence of Hrp1 on the mRNA retains these elongated transcripts until they are eliminated by the nuclear exosome. Together, we identify Hrp1 as the key quality control factor for 3' cleavage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Abteilung für Molekulare Genetik, Institut für Mikrobiologie und Genetik, Göttinger Zentrum für Molekulare Biowissenschaften (GZMB), Georg-August Universität Göttingen, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Luisa Querl
- Abteilung für Molekulare Genetik, Institut für Mikrobiologie und Genetik, Göttinger Zentrum für Molekulare Biowissenschaften (GZMB), Georg-August Universität Göttingen, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ivo Coban
- Abteilung für Molekulare Genetik, Institut für Mikrobiologie und Genetik, Göttinger Zentrum für Molekulare Biowissenschaften (GZMB), Georg-August Universität Göttingen, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gabriela Salinas
- NGS-Serviceeinrichtung für Integrative Genomik (NIG), Institut für Humangenetik, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Heike Krebber
- Abteilung für Molekulare Genetik, Institut für Mikrobiologie und Genetik, Göttinger Zentrum für Molekulare Biowissenschaften (GZMB), Georg-August Universität Göttingen, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Wang C, Molodtsov V, Sanders TJ, Marshall CJ, Firlar E, Kaelber JT, Santangelo TJ, Ebright RH. Structural basis of archaeal FttA-dependent transcription termination. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.09.552649. [PMID: 37609354 PMCID: PMC10441395 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.09.552649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
The ribonuclease FttA mediates factor-dependent transcription termination in archaea 1-3 . Here, we report the structure of a Thermococcus kodakarensis transcription pre-termination complex comprising FttA, Spt4, Spt5, and a transcription elongation complex (TEC). The structure shows that FttA interacts with the TEC in a manner that enables RNA to proceed directly from the TEC RNA-exit channel to the FttA catalytic center and that enables endonucleolytic cleavage of RNA by FttA, followed by 5'→3' exonucleolytic cleavage of RNA by FttA and concomitant 5'→3' translocation of FttA on RNA, to apply mechanical force to the TEC and trigger termination. The structure further reveals that Spt5 bridges FttA and the TEC, explaining how Spt5 stimulates FttA-dependent termination. The results reveal functional analogy between bacterial and archaeal factor-dependent termination, reveal functional homology between archaeal and eukaryotic factor-dependent termination, and reveal fundamental mechanistic similarities in factor-dependent termination in the three domains of life: bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryotic. One sentence summary Cryo-EM reveals the structure of the archaeal FttA pre-termination complex.
Collapse
|
25
|
Bhowmick R, Mehta KPM, Lerdrup M, Cortez D. Integrator facilitates RNAPII removal to prevent transcription-replication collisions and genome instability. Mol Cell 2023; 83:2357-2366.e8. [PMID: 37295432 PMCID: PMC10330747 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
DNA replication preferentially initiates close to active transcription start sites (TSSs) in the human genome. Transcription proceeds discontinuously with an accumulation of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) in a paused state near the TSS. Consequently, replication forks inevitably encounter paused RNAPII soon after replication initiates. Hence, dedicated machinery may be needed to remove RNAPII and facilitate unperturbed fork progression. In this study, we discovered that Integrator, a transcription termination machinery involved in the processing of RNAPII transcripts, interacts with the replicative helicase at active forks and promotes the removal of RNAPII from the path of the replication fork. Integrator-deficient cells have impaired replication fork progression and accumulate hallmarks of genome instability including chromosome breaks and micronuclei. The Integrator complex resolves co-directional transcription-replication conflicts to facilitate faithful DNA replication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Bhowmick
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37237, USA.
| | - Kavi P M Mehta
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37237, USA
| | - Mads Lerdrup
- Center for Chromosome Stability, Center for Healthy Aging, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - David Cortez
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37237, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Estell C, Davidson L, Eaton JD, Kimura H, Gold VAM, West S. A restrictor complex of ZC3H4, WDR82, and ARS2 integrates with PNUTS to control unproductive transcription. Mol Cell 2023:S1097-2765(23)00385-4. [PMID: 37329883 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The transcriptional termination of unstable non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) is poorly understood compared to coding transcripts. We recently identified ZC3H4-WDR82 ("restrictor") as restricting human ncRNA transcription, but how it does this is unknown. Here, we show that ZC3H4 additionally associates with ARS2 and the nuclear exosome targeting complex. The domains of ZC3H4 that contact ARS2 and WDR82 are required for ncRNA restriction, suggesting their presence in a functional complex. Consistently, ZC3H4, WDR82, and ARS2 co-transcriptionally control an overlapping population of ncRNAs. ZC3H4 is proximal to the negative elongation factor, PNUTS, which we show enables restrictor function and is required to terminate the transcription of all major RNA polymerase II transcript classes. In contrast to short ncRNAs, longer protein-coding transcription is supported by U1 snRNA, which shields transcripts from restrictor and PNUTS at hundreds of genes. These data provide important insights into the mechanism and control of transcription by restrictor and PNUTS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chris Estell
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, United Kingdom
| | - Lee Davidson
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, United Kingdom
| | - Joshua D Eaton
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, United Kingdom
| | - Hiroshi Kimura
- Cell Biology Centre, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan
| | - Vicki A M Gold
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, United Kingdom
| | - Steven West
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Rouvière JO, Salerno-Kochan A, Lykke-Andersen S, Garland W, Dou Y, Rathore O, Molska EŠ, Wu G, Schmid M, Bugai A, Jakobsen L, Žumer K, Cramer P, Andersen JS, Conti E, Jensen TH. ARS2 instructs early transcription termination-coupled RNA decay by recruiting ZC3H4 to nascent transcripts. Mol Cell 2023:S1097-2765(23)00384-2. [PMID: 37329882 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The RNA-binding ARS2 protein is centrally involved in both early RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcription termination and transcript decay. Despite its essential nature, the mechanisms by which ARS2 enacts these functions have remained unclear. Here, we show that a conserved basic domain of ARS2 binds a corresponding acidic-rich, short linear motif (SLiM) in the transcription restriction factor ZC3H4. This interaction recruits ZC3H4 to chromatin to elicit RNAPII termination, independent of other early termination pathways defined by the cleavage and polyadenylation (CPA) and Integrator (INT) complexes. We find that ZC3H4, in turn, forms a direct connection to the nuclear exosome targeting (NEXT) complex, hereby facilitating rapid degradation of the nascent RNA. Hence, ARS2 instructs the coupled transcription termination and degradation of the transcript onto which it is bound. This contrasts with ARS2 function at CPA-instructed termination sites where the protein exclusively partakes in RNA suppression via post-transcriptional decay.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jérôme O Rouvière
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Universitetsbyen 81, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anna Salerno-Kochan
- Department of Structural Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Munich, Germany
| | - Søren Lykke-Andersen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Universitetsbyen 81, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - William Garland
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Universitetsbyen 81, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Yuhui Dou
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Universitetsbyen 81, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Om Rathore
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Universitetsbyen 81, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ewa Šmidová Molska
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Universitetsbyen 81, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Guifen Wu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Universitetsbyen 81, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Manfred Schmid
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Universitetsbyen 81, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Andrii Bugai
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Universitetsbyen 81, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lis Jakobsen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Kristina Žumer
- Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Patrick Cramer
- Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jens S Andersen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Elena Conti
- Department of Structural Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Munich, Germany
| | - Torben Heick Jensen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Universitetsbyen 81, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Suzuki H, Furugori K, Abe R, Ogawa S, Ito S, Akiyama T, Horiuchi K, Takahashi H. MED26-containing Mediator may orchestrate multiple transcription processes through organization of nuclear bodies. Bioessays 2023; 45:e2200178. [PMID: 36852638 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202200178] [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] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Mediator is a coregulatory complex that plays essential roles in multiple processes of transcription regulation. One of the human Mediator subunits, MED26, has a role in recruitment of the super elongation complex (SEC) to polyadenylated genes and little elongation complex (LEC) to non-polyadenylated genes, including small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) and replication-dependent histone (RDH) genes. MED26-containing Mediator plays a role in 3' Pol II pausing at the proximal region of transcript end sites in RDH genes through recruitment of Cajal bodies (CBs) to histone locus bodies (HLBs). This finding suggests that Mediator is involved in the association of CBs with HLBs to facilitate 3' Pol II pausing and subsequent 3'-end processing by supplying 3'-end processing factors from CBs. Thus, we argue the possibility that Mediator is involved in the organization of nuclear bodies to orchestrate multiple processes of gene transcription.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hidefumi Suzuki
- Department of Molecular Biology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medical Science, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kazuki Furugori
- Department of Molecular Biology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medical Science, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Ryota Abe
- Department of Molecular Biology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medical Science, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shintaro Ogawa
- Department of Molecular Biology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medical Science, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Sayaka Ito
- Department of Molecular Biology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medical Science, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Akiyama
- Department of Molecular Biology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medical Science, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Keiko Horiuchi
- Department of Molecular Biology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medical Science, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hidehisa Takahashi
- Department of Molecular Biology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medical Science, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Figueiredo AS, Loureiro JR, Macedo-Ribeiro S, Silveira I. Advances in Nucleotide Repeat Expansion Diseases: Transcription Gets in Phase. Cells 2023; 12:826. [PMID: 36980167 PMCID: PMC10047669 DOI: 10.3390/cells12060826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Unstable DNA repeat expansions and insertions have been found to cause more than 50 neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, and neuromuscular disorders. One of the main hallmarks of repeat expansion diseases is the formation of abnormal RNA or protein aggregates in the neuronal cells of affected individuals. Recent evidence indicates that alterations of the dynamic or material properties of biomolecular condensates assembled by liquid/liquid phase separation are critical for the formation of these aggregates. This is a thermodynamically-driven and reversible local phenomenon that condenses macromolecules into liquid-like compartments responsible for compartmentalizing molecules required for vital cellular processes. Disease-associated repeat expansions modulate the phase separation properties of RNAs and proteins, interfering with the composition and/or the material properties of biomolecular condensates and resulting in the formation of abnormal aggregates. Since several repeat expansions have arisen in genes encoding crucial players in transcription, this raises the hypothesis that wide gene expression dysregulation is common to multiple repeat expansion diseases. This review will cover the impact of these mutations in the formation of aberrant aggregates and how they modify gene transcription.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana S. Figueiredo
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana R. Loureiro
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sandra Macedo-Ribeiro
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Isabel Silveira
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Song E, Hwang S, Munasingha PR, Seo YS, Kang J, Kang C, Hohng S. Transcriptional pause extension benefits the stand-by rather than catch-up Rho-dependent termination. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:2778-2789. [PMID: 36762473 PMCID: PMC10085680 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad051] [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: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional pause is essential for all types of termination. In this single-molecule study on bacterial Rho factor-dependent terminators, we confirm that the three Rho-dependent termination routes operate compatibly together in a single terminator, and discover that their termination efficiencies depend on the terminational pauses in unexpected ways. Evidently, the most abundant route is that Rho binds nascent RNA first and catches up with paused RNA polymerase (RNAP) and this catch-up Rho mediates simultaneous releases of transcript RNA and template DNA from RNAP. The fastest route is that the catch-up Rho effects RNA-only release and leads to 1D recycling of RNAP on DNA. The slowest route is that the RNAP-prebound stand-by Rho facilitates only the simultaneous rather than sequential releases. Among the three routes, only the stand-by Rho's termination efficiency positively correlates with pause duration, contrary to a long-standing speculation, invariably in the absence or presence of NusA/NusG factors, competitor RNAs or a crowding agent. Accordingly, the essential terminational pause does not need to be long for the catch-up Rho's terminations, and long pauses benefit only the stand-by Rho's terminations. Furthermore, the Rho-dependent termination of mgtA and ribB riboswitches is controlled mainly by modulation of the stand-by rather than catch-up termination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eunho Song
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, and Institute of Applied Physics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Seungha Hwang
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Palinda Ruvan Munasingha
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeon-Soo Seo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Young Kang
- Correspondence may also be addressed to Jin Young Kang. Tel: +82 42 350 2831;
| | - Changwon Kang
- Correspondence may also be addressed to Changwon Kang. Tel: +82 42 350 2610;
| | - Sungchul Hohng
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +82 2 880 6593;
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Hughes AL, Szczurek AT, Kelley JR, Lastuvkova A, Turberfield AH, Dimitrova E, Blackledge NP, Klose RJ. A CpG island-encoded mechanism protects genes from premature transcription termination. Nat Commun 2023; 14:726. [PMID: 36759609 PMCID: PMC9911701 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36236-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription must be tightly controlled to regulate gene expression and development. However, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that influence transcription and how these are coordinated in cells to ensure normal gene expression remains rudimentary. Here, by dissecting the function of the SET1 chromatin-modifying complexes that bind to CpG island-associated gene promoters, we discover that they play a specific and essential role in enabling the expression of low to moderately transcribed genes. Counterintuitively, this effect can occur independently of SET1 complex histone-modifying activity and instead relies on an interaction with the RNA Polymerase II-binding protein WDR82. Unexpectedly, we discover that SET1 complexes enable gene expression by antagonising premature transcription termination by the ZC3H4/WDR82 complex at CpG island-associated genes. In contrast, at extragenic sites of transcription, which typically lack CpG islands and SET1 complex occupancy, we show that the activity of ZC3H4/WDR82 is unopposed. Therefore, we reveal a gene regulatory mechanism whereby CpG islands are bound by a protein complex that specifically protects genic transcripts from premature termination, effectively distinguishing genic from extragenic transcription and enabling normal gene expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amy L Hughes
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | - Anna Lastuvkova
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | | | - Robert J Klose
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Termination factor Rho mediates transcriptional reprogramming of Bacillus subtilis stationary phase. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010618. [PMID: 36735730 PMCID: PMC9931155 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription termination factor Rho is known for its ubiquitous role in suppression of pervasive, mostly antisense, transcription. In the model Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis, de-repression of pervasive transcription by inactivation of rho revealed the role of Rho in the regulation of post-exponential differentiation programs. To identify other aspects of the regulatory role of Rho during adaptation to starvation, we have constructed a B. subtilis strain (Rho+) that expresses rho at a relatively stable high level in order to compensate for its decrease in the wild-type cells entering stationary phase. The RNAseq analysis of Rho+, WT and Δrho strains (expression profiles can be visualized at http://genoscapist.migale.inrae.fr/seb_rho/) shows that Rho over-production enhances the termination efficiency of Rho-sensitive terminators, thus reducing transcriptional read-through and antisense transcription genome-wide. Moreover, the Rho+ strain exhibits global alterations of sense transcription with the most significant changes observed for the AbrB, CodY, and stringent response regulons, forming the pathways governing the transition to stationary phase. Subsequent physiological analyses demonstrated that maintaining rho expression at a stable elevated level modifies stationary phase-specific physiology of B. subtilis cells, weakens stringent response, and thereby negatively affects the cellular adaptation to nutrient limitations and other stresses, and blocks the development of genetic competence and sporulation. These results highlight the Rho-specific termination of transcription as a novel element controlling stationary phase. The release of this control by decreasing Rho levels during the transition to stationary phase appears crucial for the functionality of complex gene networks ensuring B. subtilis survival in stationary phase.
Collapse
|
33
|
Rodríguez-Molina JB, West S, Passmore LA. Knowing when to stop: Transcription termination on protein-coding genes by eukaryotic RNAPII. Mol Cell 2023; 83:404-415. [PMID: 36634677 PMCID: PMC7614299 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Gene expression is controlled in a dynamic and regulated manner to allow for the consistent and steady expression of some proteins as well as the rapidly changing production of other proteins. Transcription initiation has been a major focus of study because it is highly regulated. However, termination of transcription also plays an important role in controlling gene expression. Transcription termination on protein-coding genes is intimately linked with 3' end cleavage and polyadenylation of transcripts, and it generally results in the production of a mature mRNA that is exported from the nucleus. Termination on many non-coding genes can also result in the production of a mature transcript. Termination is dynamically regulated-premature termination and transcription readthrough occur in response to a number of cellular signals, and these can have varied consequences on gene expression. Here, we review eukaryotic transcription termination by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII), focusing on protein-coding genes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Steven West
- The Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.
| | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Zhong V, Archibald BN, Brophy JAN. Transcriptional and post-transcriptional controls for tuning gene expression in plants. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 71:102315. [PMID: 36462457 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2022.102315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Plant biotechnologists seek to modify plants through genetic reprogramming, but our ability to precisely control gene expression in plants is still limited. Here, we review transcription and translation in the model plants Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana benthamiana with an eye toward control points that may be used to predictably modify gene expression. We highlight differences in gene expression requirements between these plants and other species, and discuss the ways in which our understanding of gene expression has been used to engineer plants. This review is intended to serve as a resource for plant scientists looking to achieve precise control over gene expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vivian Zhong
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Bella N Archibald
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Eischer N, Arnold M, Mayer A. Emerging roles of BET proteins in transcription and co-transcriptional RNA processing. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2023; 14:e1734. [PMID: 35491403 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Transcription by RNA polymerase II (Pol II) gives rise to all nuclear protein-coding and a large set of non-coding RNAs, and is strictly regulated and coordinated with RNA processing. Bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) family proteins including BRD2, BRD3, and BRD4 have been implicated in the regulation of Pol II transcription in mammalian cells. However, only recent technological advances have allowed the analysis of direct functions of individual BET proteins with high precision in cells. These studies shed new light on the molecular mechanisms of transcription control by BET proteins challenging previous longstanding views. The most studied BET protein, BRD4, emerges as a master regulator of transcription elongation with roles also in coupling nascent transcription with RNA processing. In contrast, BRD2 is globally required for the formation of transcriptional boundaries to restrict enhancer activity to nearby genes. Although these recent findings suggest non-redundant functions of BRD4 and BRD2 in Pol II transcription, more research is needed for further clarification. Little is known about the roles of BRD3. Here, we illuminate experimental work that has initially linked BET proteins to Pol II transcription in mammalian cells, outline main methodological breakthroughs that have strongly advanced the understanding of BET protein functions, and discuss emerging roles of individual BET proteins in transcription and transcription-coupled RNA processing. Finally, we propose an updated model for the function of BRD4 in transcription and co-transcriptional RNA maturation. This article is categorized under: RNA Processing > 3' End Processing RNA Processing > Splicing Regulation/Alternative Splicing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Eischer
- Otto-Warburg-Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mirjam Arnold
- Otto-Warburg-Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Mayer
- Otto-Warburg-Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Mitschka S, Mayr C. Context-specific regulation and function of mRNA alternative polyadenylation. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2022; 23:779-796. [PMID: 35798852 PMCID: PMC9261900 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-022-00507-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Alternative cleavage and polyadenylation (APA) is a widespread mechanism to generate mRNA isoforms with alternative 3' untranslated regions (UTRs). The expression of alternative 3' UTR isoforms is highly cell type specific and is further controlled in a gene-specific manner by environmental cues. In this Review, we discuss how the dynamic, fine-grained regulation of APA is accomplished by several mechanisms, including cis-regulatory elements in RNA and DNA and factors that control transcription, pre-mRNA cleavage and post-transcriptional processes. Furthermore, signalling pathways modulate the activity of these factors and integrate APA into gene regulatory programmes. Dysregulation of APA can reprogramme the outcome of signalling pathways and thus can control cellular responses to environmental changes. In addition to the regulation of protein abundance, APA has emerged as a major regulator of mRNA localization and the spatial organization of protein synthesis. This role enables the regulation of protein function through the addition of post-translational modifications or the formation of protein-protein interactions. We further discuss recent transformative advances in single-cell RNA sequencing and CRISPR-Cas technologies, which enable the mapping and functional characterization of alternative 3' UTRs in any biological context. Finally, we discuss new APA-based RNA therapeutics, including compounds that target APA in cancer and therapeutic genome editing of degenerative diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sibylle Mitschka
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christine Mayr
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Qin Y, Long Y, Zhai J. Genome-wide characterization of nascent RNA processing in plants. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 69:102294. [PMID: 36063636 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2022.102294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Following transcription initiation, RNA polymerase II (Pol II) elongates through the genic region and terminates after the polyadenylation signal. This process is accompanied by splicing, 3' cleavage, and polyadenylation, to eventually form a mature mRNA. Recent advances in short-read and long-read high-throughput sequencing methods have shed light on the global landscape of these co-transcriptional events at nucleotide resolution. In this mini review, we summarize recent developments in genome-wide approaches that broadened our understanding of nascent RNA processing in plants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuwei Qin
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Plant and Food Science, Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Yanping Long
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Plant and Food Science, Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Jixian Zhai
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Plant and Food Science, Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Observation of conformational changes that underlie the catalytic cycle of Xrn2. Nat Chem Biol 2022; 18:1152-1160. [PMID: 36008487 PMCID: PMC9512700 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-022-01111-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods that quantitatively probe motions on molecular and atomic levels have propelled the understanding of biomolecular processes for which static structures cannot provide a satisfactory description. In this work, we studied the structure and dynamics of the essential 100-kDa eukaryotic 5′→3′ exoribonuclease Xrn2. A combination of complementary fluorine and methyl-TROSY NMR spectroscopy reveals that the apo enzyme is highly dynamic around the catalytic center. These observed dynamics are in agreement with a transition of the enzyme from the ground state into a catalytically competent state. We show that the conformational equilibrium in Xrn2 shifts substantially toward the active state in the presence of substrate and magnesium. Finally, our data reveal that the dynamics in Xrn2 correlate with the RNA degradation rate, as a mutation that attenuates motions also affects catalytic activity. In that light, our results stress the importance of studies that go beyond static structural information. ![]()
Using methyl group and fluorine NMR spectroscopic methods, Overbeck et al revealed that the dynamics of the eukaryotic 5′→3′ exoribonuclease Xrn2 in the region around the active site are correlated with its catalytic activity.
Collapse
|
39
|
Shirai M, Nara T, Takahashi H, Takayama K, Chen Y, Hirose Y, Fujii M, Awazu A, Shimoda N, Kikuchi Y. Identification of aberrant transcription termination at specific gene loci with DNA hypomethylated transcription termination sites caused by DNA methyltransferase deficiency. Gene 2022; 97:139-152. [PMID: 35718462 DOI: 10.1266/ggs.21-00092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
CpG methylation of genomic DNA is a well-known repressive epigenetic marker in eukaryotic transcription, and DNA methylation of promoter regions is correlated with gene silencing. In contrast to the promoter regions, the function of DNA methylation during transcription termination remains to be elucidated. A recent study revealed that mouse DNA methyltransferase 3a (Dnmt3a) mainly functions in de novo methylation in the promoter and gene body regions, including transcription termination sites (TTSs), during development. To investigate the relationship between DNA methylation overlapping the TTSs and transcription termination, we performed bioinformatics analysis using six pre-existing Dnmt-/- mouse cell datasets: four types of neurons (three Dnmt3a-/- and one Dnmt1-/- mutants) and two types of embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) (Dnmt3a-/- and Dnmt3b-/- mutants). Combined analyses using methylome and transcriptome data revealed that read counts downstream of hypomethylated TTSs were increased in three types of neurons (two Dnmt3a-/- and one Dnmt1-/- mutants). Among these, an increase in chimeric transcripts downstream of the TTSs was observed in Dnmt3a-/- mature olfactory sensory neurons and Dnmt3a-/- agouti-related peptide (protein)-producing neurons, thereby indicating that read-through occurs in hypomethylated TTSs at specific gene loci in these two mutants. Conversely, in Dnmt3a-/- MEFs, we detected reductions in read counts downstream of hypomethylated TTSs. These results indicate that the hypomethylation of TTSs can both positively and negatively regulate transcription termination, dependent on Dnmt and cell types. This study is the first to identify the aberrant termination of transcription at specific gene loci with DNA hypomethylated TTSs attributable to Dnmt deficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masaki Shirai
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima
| | - Takuya Nara
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima
| | - Haruko Takahashi
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima.,Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima
| | - Kazuya Takayama
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima
| | - Yuan Chen
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima
| | - Yudai Hirose
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima
| | - Masashi Fujii
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima
| | - Akinori Awazu
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima
| | - Nobuyoshi Shimoda
- Laboratory of Molecular Analysis, Core Facilities, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology
| | - Yutaka Kikuchi
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima.,Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Bay LTE, Syljuåsen RG, Landsverk HB. A novel, rapid and sensitive flow cytometry method reveals degradation of promoter proximal paused RNAPII in the presence and absence of UV. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:e89. [PMID: 35641102 PMCID: PMC9410883 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) is emerging as an important factor in DNA damage responses, but how it responds to genotoxic stress is not fully understood. We have developed a rapid and sensitive flow cytometry method to study chromatin binding of RNAPII in individual human cells through the cell cycle. Indicating enhanced transcription initiation at early timepoints, levels of RNAPII were increased at 15–30min after UV-induced DNA damage. This was particularly evident for the S5 phosphorylated form of RNAPII (pRNAPII S5), which is typically associated with promoter proximal pausing. Furthermore, degradation of pRNAPII S5 frequently occurs, as its levels on chromatin were strongly enhanced by the proteasome inhibitor MG132 with and without UV. Remarkably, inhibiting pause release with 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-ribo-furanosyl benzimidazole (DRB) further promoted UV-induced degradation of pRNAPII S5, suggesting enhanced initiation may lead to a phenomenon of ‘promoter proximal crowding’ resulting in premature termination via degradation of RNAPII. Moreover, pRNAPII S2 levels on chromatin were more stable in S phase of the cell cycle 2h after UV, indicating cell cycle specific effects. Altogether our results demonstrate a useful new method and suggest that degradation of promoter proximal RNAPII plays an unanticipated large role both during normal transcription and after UV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lilli T E Bay
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway
| | - Randi G Syljuåsen
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway
| | - Helga B Landsverk
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, 0379 Oslo, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Suzuki H, Abe R, Shimada M, Hirose T, Hirose H, Noguchi K, Ike Y, Yasui N, Furugori K, Yamaguchi Y, Toyoda A, Suzuki Y, Yamamoto T, Saitoh N, Sato S, Tomomori-Sato C, Conaway RC, Conaway JW, Takahashi H. The 3' Pol II pausing at replication-dependent histone genes is regulated by Mediator through Cajal bodies' association with histone locus bodies. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2905. [PMID: 35614107 PMCID: PMC9133132 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30632-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-polyadenylated mRNAs of replication-dependent histones (RDHs) are synthesized by RNA polymerase II (Pol II) at histone locus bodies (HLBs). HLBs frequently associate with Cajal bodies (CBs), in which 3'-end processing factors for RDH genes are enriched; however, this association's role in transcription termination of RDH genes remains unclear. Here, we show that Pol II pauses immediately upstream of transcript end sites of RDH genes and Mediator plays a role in this Pol II pausing through CBs' association with HLBs. Disruption of the Mediator docking site for Little elongation complex (LEC)-Cap binding complex (CBC)-Negative elongation factor (NELF), components of CBs, interferes with CBs' association with HLBs and 3' Pol II pausing, resulting in increased aberrant unprocessed RDH gene transcripts. Our findings suggest Mediator's involvement in CBs' association with HLBs to facilitate 3' Pol II pausing and subsequent 3'-end processing of RDH genes by supplying 3'-end processing factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hidefumi Suzuki
- Department of Molecular Biology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medical Science, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Ryota Abe
- Department of Molecular Biology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medical Science, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Miho Shimada
- Department of Molecular Biology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medical Science, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Tomonori Hirose
- Department of Molecular Biology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medical Science, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Hiroko Hirose
- Department of Molecular Biology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medical Science, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Keisuke Noguchi
- Department of Molecular Biology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medical Science, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Yoko Ike
- Department of Molecular Biology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medical Science, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Nanami Yasui
- Department of Molecular Biology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medical Science, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Kazuki Furugori
- Department of Molecular Biology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medical Science, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Yuki Yamaguchi
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 226-8501, Japan
| | - Atsushi Toyoda
- Comparative Genomics Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, 1111 Yata, Mishima, Shizuoka, 411-8540, Japan
| | - Yutaka Suzuki
- Laboratory of Systems Genomics, Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8562, Japan
| | - Tatsuro Yamamoto
- Division of Cancer Biology, The Cancer Institute of JFCR, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Noriko Saitoh
- Division of Cancer Biology, The Cancer Institute of JFCR, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Shigeo Sato
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000E 50th Street, Kansas City, MO, 64110, USA
| | - Chieri Tomomori-Sato
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000E 50th Street, Kansas City, MO, 64110, USA
| | - Ronald C Conaway
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000E 50th Street, Kansas City, MO, 64110, USA.,Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, MO, 66160, USA
| | - Joan W Conaway
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000E 50th Street, Kansas City, MO, 64110, USA.,Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, MO, 66160, USA
| | - Hidehisa Takahashi
- Department of Molecular Biology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medical Science, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Structural insights into nuclear transcription by eukaryotic DNA-dependent RNA polymerases. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2022; 23:603-622. [PMID: 35505252 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-022-00476-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The eukaryotic transcription apparatus synthesizes a staggering diversity of RNA molecules. The labour of nuclear gene transcription is, therefore, divided among multiple DNA-dependent RNA polymerases. RNA polymerase I (Pol I) transcribes ribosomal RNA, Pol II synthesizes messenger RNAs and various non-coding RNAs (including long non-coding RNAs, microRNAs and small nuclear RNAs) and Pol III produces transfer RNAs and other short RNA molecules. Pol I, Pol II and Pol III are large, multisubunit protein complexes that associate with a multitude of additional factors to synthesize transcripts that largely differ in size, structure and abundance. The three transcription machineries share common characteristics, but differ widely in various aspects, such as numbers of RNA polymerase subunits, regulatory elements and accessory factors, which allows them to specialize in transcribing their specific RNAs. Common to the three RNA polymerases is that the transcription process consists of three major steps: transcription initiation, transcript elongation and transcription termination. In this Review, we outline the common principles and differences between the Pol I, Pol II and Pol III transcription machineries and discuss key structural and functional insights obtained into the three stages of their transcription processes.
Collapse
|
43
|
Control of non-productive RNA polymerase II transcription via its early termination in metazoans. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:283-295. [PMID: 35166324 DOI: 10.1042/bst20201140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Transcription establishes the universal first step of gene expression where RNA is produced by a DNA-dependent RNA polymerase. The most versatile of eukaryotic RNA polymerases, RNA polymerase II (Pol II), transcribes a broad range of DNA including protein-coding and a variety of non-coding transcription units. Although Pol II can be configured as a durable enzyme capable of transcribing hundreds of kilobases, there is reliable evidence of widespread abortive Pol II transcription termination shortly after initiation, which is often followed by rapid degradation of the associated RNA. The molecular details underlying this phenomenon are still vague but likely reflect the action of quality control mechanisms on the early Pol II complex. Here, we summarize current knowledge of how and when such promoter-proximal quality control is asserted on metazoan Pol II.
Collapse
|
44
|
Nojima T, Proudfoot NJ. Mechanisms of lncRNA biogenesis as revealed by nascent transcriptomics. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2022; 23:389-406. [DOI: 10.1038/s41580-021-00447-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
|
45
|
Mo W, Liu B, Zhang H, Jin X, Lu D, Yu Y, Liu Y, Jia J, Long Y, Deng X, Cao X, Guo H, Zhai J. Landscape of transcription termination in Arabidopsis revealed by single-molecule nascent RNA sequencing. Genome Biol 2021; 22:322. [PMID: 34823554 PMCID: PMC8613925 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-021-02543-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The dynamic process of transcription termination produces transient RNA intermediates that are difficult to distinguish from each other via short-read sequencing methods. RESULTS Here, we use single-molecule nascent RNA sequencing to characterize the various forms of transient RNAs during termination at genome-wide scale in wildtype Arabidopsis and in atxrn3, fpa, and met1 mutants. Our data reveal a wide range of termination windows among genes, ranging from ~ 50 nt to over 1000 nt. We also observe efficient termination before downstream tRNA genes, suggesting that chromatin structure around the promoter region of tRNA genes may block pol II elongation. 5' Cleaved readthrough transcription in atxrn3 with delayed termination can run into downstream genes to produce normally spliced and polyadenylated mRNAs in the absence of their own transcription initiation. Consistent with previous reports, we also observe long chimeric transcripts with cryptic splicing in fpa mutant; but loss of CG DNA methylation has no obvious impact on termination in the met1 mutant. CONCLUSIONS Our method is applicable to establish a comprehensive termination landscape in a broad range of species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weipeng Mo
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xianhao Jin
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Dongdong Lu
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Yiming Yu
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Yuelin Liu
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jinbu Jia
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Yanping Long
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xian Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics and National Center for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xiaofeng Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics and National Center for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Hongwei Guo
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jixian Zhai
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Liu H, Moore CL. On the Cutting Edge: Regulation and Therapeutic Potential of the mRNA 3' End Nuclease. Trends Biochem Sci 2021; 46:772-784. [PMID: 33941430 PMCID: PMC8364479 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2021.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Cleavage of nascent transcripts is a fundamental process for eukaryotic mRNA maturation and for the production of different mRNA isoforms. In eukaryotes, cleavage of mRNA precursors by the highly conserved endonuclease CPSF73 is critical for mRNA stability, export from the nucleus, and translation. As an essential enzyme in the cell, CPSF73 surprisingly shows promise as a drug target for specific cancers and for protozoan parasites. In this review, we cover our current understanding of CPSF73 in cleavage and polyadenylation, histone pre-mRNA processing, and transcription termination. We discuss the potential of CPSF73 as a target for novel therapeutics and highlight further research into the regulation of CPSF73 that will be critical to understanding its role in cancer and other diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huiyun Liu
- Department of Developmental, Molecular, and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Claire L Moore
- Department of Developmental, Molecular, and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Muniz L, Nicolas E, Trouche D. RNA polymerase II speed: a key player in controlling and adapting transcriptome composition. EMBO J 2021; 40:e105740. [PMID: 34254686 PMCID: PMC8327950 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020105740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II) speed or elongation rate, i.e., the number of nucleotides synthesized per unit of time, is a major determinant of transcriptome composition. It controls co-transcriptional processes such as splicing, polyadenylation, and transcription termination, thus regulating the production of alternative splice variants, circular RNAs, alternatively polyadenylated transcripts, or read-through transcripts. RNA Pol II speed itself is regulated in response to intra- and extra-cellular stimuli and can in turn affect the transcriptome composition in response to these stimuli. Evidence points to a potentially important role of transcriptome composition modification through RNA Pol II speed regulation for adaptation of cells to a changing environment, thus pointing to a function of RNA Pol II speed regulation in cellular physiology. Analyzing RNA Pol II speed dynamics may therefore be central to fully understand the regulation of physiological processes, such as the development of multicellular organisms. Recent findings also raise the possibility that RNA Pol II speed deregulation can be detrimental and participate in disease progression. Here, we review initial and current approaches to measure RNA Pol II speed, as well as providing an overview of the factors controlling speed and the co-transcriptional processes which are affected. Finally, we discuss the role of RNA Pol II speed regulation in cell physiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Muniz
- MCDCentre de Biologie Integrative (CBI)CNRSUPSUniversity of ToulouseToulouseFrance
| | - Estelle Nicolas
- MCDCentre de Biologie Integrative (CBI)CNRSUPSUniversity of ToulouseToulouseFrance
| | - Didier Trouche
- MCDCentre de Biologie Integrative (CBI)CNRSUPSUniversity of ToulouseToulouseFrance
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
A BRD4-mediated elongation control point primes transcribing RNA polymerase II for 3'-processing and termination. Mol Cell 2021; 81:3589-3603.e13. [PMID: 34324863 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2021.06.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Transcription elongation has emerged as a regulatory hub in gene expression of metazoans. A major control point occurs during early elongation before RNA polymerase II (Pol II) is released into productive elongation. Prior research has linked BRD4 with transcription elongation. Here, we use rapid BET protein and BRD4-selective degradation along with quantitative genome-wide approaches to investigate direct functions of BRD4 in Pol II transcription regulation. Notably, as an immediate consequence of acute BRD4 loss, promoter-proximal pause release is impaired, and transcriptionally engaged Pol II past this checkpoint undergoes readthrough transcription. An integrated proteome-wide analysis uncovers elongation and 3'-RNA processing factors as core BRD4 interactors. BRD4 ablation disrupts the recruitment of general 3'-RNA processing factors at the 5'-control region, which correlates with RNA cleavage and termination defects. These studies, performed in human cells, reveal a BRD4-mediated checkpoint and begin to establish a molecular link between 5'-elongation control and 3'-RNA processing.
Collapse
|
49
|
Estell C, Davidson L, Steketee PC, Monier A, West S. ZC3H4 restricts non-coding transcription in human cells. eLife 2021; 10:67305. [PMID: 33913806 PMCID: PMC8137146 DOI: 10.7554/elife.67305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The human genome encodes thousands of non-coding RNAs. Many of these terminate early and are then rapidly degraded, but how their transcription is restricted is poorly understood. In a screen for protein-coding gene transcriptional termination factors, we identified ZC3H4. Its depletion causes upregulation and extension of hundreds of unstable transcripts, particularly antisense RNAs and those transcribed from so-called super-enhancers. These loci are occupied by ZC3H4, suggesting that it directly functions in their transcription. Consistently, engineered tethering of ZC3H4 to reporter RNA promotes its degradation by the exosome. ZC3H4 is predominantly metazoan –interesting when considering its impact on enhancer RNAs that are less prominent in single-celled organisms. Finally, ZC3H4 loss causes a substantial reduction in cell proliferation, highlighting its overall importance. In summary, we identify ZC3H4 as playing an important role in restricting non-coding transcription in multicellular organisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chris Estell
- The Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Lee Davidson
- The Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Pieter C Steketee
- The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Monier
- The Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Steven West
- The Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Fujioka M, Nezdyur A, Jaynes JB. An insulator blocks access to enhancers by an illegitimate promoter, preventing repression by transcriptional interference. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009536. [PMID: 33901190 PMCID: PMC8102011 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Several distinct activities and functions have been described for chromatin insulators, which separate genes along chromosomes into functional units. Here, we describe a novel mechanism of functional separation whereby an insulator prevents gene repression. When the homie insulator is deleted from the end of a Drosophila even skipped (eve) locus, a flanking P-element promoter is activated in a partial eve pattern, causing expression driven by enhancers in the 3’ region to be repressed. The mechanism involves transcriptional read-through from the flanking promoter. This conclusion is based on the following. Read-through driven by a heterologous enhancer is sufficient to repress, even when homie is in place. Furthermore, when the flanking promoter is turned around, repression is minimal. Transcriptional read-through that does not produce anti-sense RNA can still repress expression, ruling out RNAi as the mechanism in this case. Thus, transcriptional interference, caused by enhancer capture and read-through when the insulator is removed, represses eve promoter-driven expression. We also show that enhancer-promoter specificity and processivity of transcription can have decisive effects on the consequences of insulator removal. First, a core heat shock 70 promoter that is not activated well by eve enhancers did not cause read-through sufficient to repress the eve promoter. Second, these transcripts are less processive than those initiated at the P-promoter, measured by how far they extend through the eve locus, and so are less disruptive. These results highlight the importance of considering transcriptional read-through when assessing the effects of insulators on gene expression. Several distinct activities and functions have been described for chromatin insulators, which are regulatory DNA elements that separate genes along chromosomes into functional units. Here, we describe how insulators can prevent repression of one gene by preventing inappropriate transcription of another gene, without blocking read-through of transcription per se. When the insulator homie is deleted from the end of a transgenic eve locus, a flanking transposable element promoter is activated by eve enhancers, causing repression of the eve promoter. The mechanism involves transcriptional read-through from the flanking promoter, which disrupts normal eve enhancer-promoter activities. When the flanking promoter is turned around, repression of eve is minimal. Thus, transcriptional interference, caused by enhancer capture and read-through when the insulator is removed, represses the eve promoter. These results show a novel role for transcriptional read-through in the effects of insulators on gene expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miki Fujioka
- Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Anastasiya Nezdyur
- Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - James B. Jaynes
- Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|