1
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Sun R, Fisher RP. The CDK9-SPT5 Axis in Control of Transcription Elongation by RNAPII. J Mol Biol 2024:168746. [PMID: 39147127 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2024.168746] [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: 06/21/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
The RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcription cycle is regulated at every stage by a network of cyclin-dependent protein kinases (CDKs) and protein phosphatases. Progression of RNAPII from initiation to termination is marked by changing patterns of phosphorylation on the highly repetitive carboxy-terminal domain (CTD) of RPB1, its largest subunit, suggesting the existence of a CTD code. In parallel, the conserved transcription elongation factor SPT5, large subunit of the DRB sensitivity-inducing factor (DSIF), undergoes spatiotemporally regulated changes in phosphorylation state that may be directly linked to the transitions between transcription-cycle phases. Here we review insights gained from recent structural, biochemical, and genetic analyses of human SPT5, which suggest that two of its phosphorylated regions perform distinct functions at different points in transcription. Phosphorylation within a flexible, RNA-binding linker promotes release from the promoter-proximal pause-frequently a rate-limiting step in gene expression-whereas modifications in a repetitive carboxy-terminal region are thought to favor processive elongation, and are removed just prior to termination. Phosphorylations in both motifs depend on CDK9, catalytic subunit of positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb); their different timing of accumulation on chromatin and function during the transcription cycle might reflect their removal by different phosphatases, different kinetics of phosphorylation by CDK9, or both. Perturbations of SPT5 regulation have profound impacts on viability and development in model organisms through largely unknown mechanisms, while enzymes that modify SPT5 have emerged as potential therapeutic targets in cancer; elucidating a putative SPT5 code is therefore a high priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Sun
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029-6574, USA
| | - Robert P Fisher
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029-6574, USA.
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2
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Prajapati B, Sokolova M, Sidorenko E, Kyriacou M, Kyheröinen S, Vihervaara A, Vartiainen MK. CCG-1423-derived compounds reduce global RNA synthesis and inhibit transcriptional responses. J Cell Sci 2024; 137:jcs261790. [PMID: 38841882 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.261790] [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: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTFs) are coactivators of serum response factor (SRF), and thereby regulate cytoskeletal gene expression in response to actin dynamics. MRTFs have also been implicated in transcription of heat shock protein (HSP)-encoding genes in fly ovaries, but the mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that, in mammalian cells, MRTFs are dispensable for gene induction of HSP-encoding genes. However, the widely used small-molecule inhibitors of the MRTF-SRF transcription pathway, derived from CCG-1423, also efficiently inhibit gene transcription of HSP-encoding genes in both fly and mammalian cells in the absence of MRTFs. Quantifying RNA synthesis and RNA polymerase distribution demonstrates that CCG-1423-derived compounds have a genome-wide effect on transcription. Indeed, tracking nascent transcription at nucleotide resolution reveals that CCG-1423-derived compounds reduce RNA polymerase II elongation, and severely dampen the transcriptional response to heat shock. The effects of CCG-1423-derived compounds therefore extend beyond the MRTF-SRF pathway into nascent transcription, opening novel opportunities for their use in transcription research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bina Prajapati
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00790, Finland
| | - Maria Sokolova
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00790, Finland
| | - Ekaterina Sidorenko
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00790, Finland
| | - Mikael Kyriacou
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00790, Finland
| | - Salla Kyheröinen
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00790, Finland
| | - Anniina Vihervaara
- Department of Gene Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm 17165, Sweden
| | - Maria K Vartiainen
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00790, Finland
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3
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Bottardi S, Layne T, Ramòn AC, Quansah N, Wurtele H, Affar EB, Milot E. MNDA, a PYHIN factor involved in transcriptional regulation and apoptosis control in leukocytes. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1395035. [PMID: 38680493 PMCID: PMC11045911 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1395035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Inflammation control is critical during the innate immune response. Such response is triggered by the detection of molecules originating from pathogens or damaged host cells by pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs). PRRs subsequently initiate intra-cellular signalling through different pathways, resulting in i) the production of inflammatory cytokines, including type I interferon (IFN), and ii) the initiation of a cascade of events that promote both immediate host responses as well as adaptive immune responses. All human PYRIN and HIN-200 domains (PYHIN) protein family members were initially proposed to be PRRs, although this view has been challenged by reports that revealed their impact on other cellular mechanisms. Of relevance here, the human PYHIN factor myeloid nuclear differentiation antigen (MNDA) has recently been shown to directly control the transcription of genes encoding factors that regulate programmed cell death and inflammation. While MNDA is mainly found in the nucleus of leukocytes of both myeloid (neutrophils and monocytes) and lymphoid (B-cell) origin, its subcellular localization has been shown to be modulated in response to genotoxic agents that induce apoptosis and by bacterial constituents, mediators of inflammation. Prior studies have noted the importance of MNDA as a marker for certain forms of lymphoma, and as a clinical prognostic factor for hematopoietic diseases characterized by defective regulation of apoptosis. Abnormal expression of MNDA has also been associated with altered levels of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators. Refining our comprehension of the regulatory mechanisms governing the expression of MNDA and other PYHIN proteins, as well as enhancing our definition of their molecular functions, could significantly influence the management and treatment strategies of numerous human diseases. Here, we review the current state of knowledge regarding PYHIN proteins and their role in innate and adaptive immune responses. Emphasis will be placed on the regulation, function, and relevance of MNDA expression in the control of gene transcription and RNA stability during cell death and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Bottardi
- Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux (CIUSSS) de l’Est-de-l’Île de Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Taylorjade Layne
- Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux (CIUSSS) de l’Est-de-l’Île de Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Ailyn C. Ramòn
- Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux (CIUSSS) de l’Est-de-l’Île de Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Norreen Quansah
- Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux (CIUSSS) de l’Est-de-l’Île de Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Hugo Wurtele
- Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux (CIUSSS) de l’Est-de-l’Île de Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - El Bachir Affar
- Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux (CIUSSS) de l’Est-de-l’Île de Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Eric Milot
- Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux (CIUSSS) de l’Est-de-l’Île de Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
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4
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Yadav AK, Maharjan Shrestha R, Yadav PN. Anticancer mechanism of coumarin-based derivatives. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 267:116179. [PMID: 38340509 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116179] [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: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The structural motif of coumarins is related with various biological activities and pharmacological properties. Both natural coumarin extracted from various plants or a new coumarin derivative synthesized by modification of the basic structure of coumarin, in vitro experiments showed that coumarins are a promising class of anti-tumor agents with high selectivity. Cancer is a complex and multifaceted group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled and abnormal growth of cells in the body. This review focuses on the anticancer mechanism of various coumarins synthesized and isolated in more than a decade. Isopentenyloxycoumarins inhibit angiogenesis by reducing CCl2 chemokine levels. Ferulin C is a potent colchicine-binding agent that destabilizes microtubules, exhibiting antiproliferative and anti-metastatic effects in breast cancer cells through PAK1 and PAK2-mediated signaling. Trimers of triphenylethylene-coumarin hybrids demonstrated significant proliferation inhibition in HeLa, A549, K562, and MCF-7 cell lines. Platinum(IV) complexes with 4-hydroxycoumarin have the potential for high genotoxicity against tumor cells, inducing apoptosis in SKOV-3 cells by up-regulating caspase 3 and caspase 9 expression. Derivatives of 3-benzyl coumarin seco-B-ring induce apoptosis, mediated through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Sesquiterpene coumarins inhibit the efflux pump of multidrug resistance-associated protein. Coumarin imidazolyl derivatives inhibit the aromatase enzyme, a major contributor to estrogen overproduction in estrogen-dependent breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anand Kumar Yadav
- Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | | | - Paras Nath Yadav
- Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal.
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5
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Zheng M, Zhang XY, Chen W, Xia F, Yang H, Yuan K, Yang P. Molecules inducing specific cyclin-dependent kinase degradation and their possible use in cancer therapy. Future Med Chem 2024; 16:369-388. [PMID: 38288571 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2023-0259] [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: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) play an important role in the regulation of cell proliferation, and many CDK inhibitors were developed. However, pan-CDK inhibitors failed to be approved due to intolerant toxicity or low efficacy and the use of selective CDK4/6 inhibitors is limited by resistance. Protein degraders have the potential to increase selectivity, efficacy and overcome resistance, which provides a novel strategy for regulating CDKs. In this review, we summarized the function of CDKs in regulating the cell cycle and transcription, and introduced the representative CDK inhibitors. Then we made a detailed introduction about four types of CDKs degraders, including their action mechanisms, research status and application prospects, which could help the development of novel CDKs degraders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingming Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Weijiao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Fei Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Huanaoyu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Kai Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Peng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
- Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
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6
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Dunn LEM, Birkenheuer CH, Baines JD. A Revision of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Transcription: First, Repress; Then, Express. Microorganisms 2024; 12:262. [PMID: 38399666 PMCID: PMC10892140 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12020262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The herpes virus genome bears more than 80 strong transcriptional promoters. Upon entry into the host cell nucleus, these genes are transcribed in an orderly manner, producing five immediate-early (IE) gene products, including ICP0, ICP4, and ICP22, while non-IE genes are mostly silent. The IE gene products are necessary for the transcription of temporal classes following sequentially as early, leaky late, and true late. A recent analysis using precision nuclear run-on followed by deep sequencing (PRO-seq) has revealed an important step preceding all HSV-1 transcription. Specifically, the immediate-early proteins ICP4 and ICP0 enter the cell with the incoming genome to help preclude the nascent antisense, intergenic, and sense transcription of all viral genes. VP16, which is also delivered into the nucleus upon entry, almost immediately reverses this repression on IE genes. The resulting de novo expression of ICP4 and ICP22 further repress antisense, intergenic, and early and late viral gene transcription through different mechanisms before the sequential de-repression of these gene classes later in infection. This early repression, termed transient immediate-early protein-mediated repression (TIEMR), precludes unproductive, antisense, intergenic, and late gene transcription early in infection to ensure the efficient and orderly progression of the viral cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E M Dunn
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Claire H Birkenheuer
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Joel D Baines
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
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7
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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.
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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
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8
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Schmitz M, Kaltheuner IH, Anand K, Düster R, Moecking J, Monastyrskyi A, Duckett DR, Roush WR, Geyer M. The reversible inhibitor SR-4835 binds Cdk12/cyclin K in a noncanonical G-loop conformation. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105501. [PMID: 38016516 PMCID: PMC10767194 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105501] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) has evolved as an emerging anticancer strategy. In addition to the cell cycle-regulating CDKs, the transcriptional kinases Cdk12 and Cdk13 have become the focus of interest as they mediate a variety of functions, including the transition from transcription initiation to elongation and termination, precursor mRNA splicing, and intronic polyadenylation. Here, we determine the crystal structure of the small molecular inhibitor SR-4835 bound to the Cdk12/cyclin K complex at 2.68 Å resolution. The compound's benzimidazole moiety is embedded in a unique hydrogen bond network mediated by the kinase hinge region with flanking hydroxy groups of the Y815 and D819 side chains. Whereas the SR-4835 head group targets the adenine-binding pocket, the kinase's glycine-rich loop is shifted down toward the activation loop. Additionally, the αC-helix adopts an inward conformation, and the phosphorylated T-loop threonine interacts with all three canonical arginines, a hallmark of CDK activation that is altered in Cdk12 and Cdk13. Dose-response inhibition measurements with recombinant CMGC kinases show that SR-4835 is highly specific for Cdk12 and Cdk13 following a 10-fold lower potency for Cdk10. Whereas other CDK-targeting compounds exhibit tighter binding affinities and higher potencies for kinase inhibition, SR-4835 can be considered a selective transcription elongation antagonist. Our results provide the basis for a rational improvement of SR-4835 toward Cdk12 inhibition and a gain in selectivity over other transcription regulating CDKs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kanchan Anand
- Institute of Structural Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Robert Düster
- Institute of Structural Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jonas Moecking
- Institute of Structural Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Derek R Duckett
- Department of Drug Discovery, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - William R Roush
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, USA
| | - Matthias Geyer
- Institute of Structural Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
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9
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Vihervaara A, Versluis P, Himanen SV, Lis JT. PRO-IP-seq tracks molecular modifications of engaged Pol II complexes at nucleotide resolution. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7039. [PMID: 37923726 PMCID: PMC10624850 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42715-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) is a multi-subunit complex that undergoes covalent modifications as transcription proceeds through genes and enhancers. Rate-limiting steps of transcription control Pol II recruitment, site and degree of initiation, pausing duration, productive elongation, nascent transcript processing, transcription termination, and Pol II recycling. Here, we develop Precision Run-On coupled to Immuno-Precipitation sequencing (PRO-IP-seq), which double-selects nascent RNAs and transcription complexes, and track phosphorylation of Pol II C-terminal domain (CTD) at nucleotide-resolution. We uncover precise positional control of Pol II CTD phosphorylation as transcription proceeds from the initiating nucleotide (+1 nt), through early (+18 to +30 nt) and late (+31 to +60 nt) promoter-proximal pause, and into productive elongation. Pol II CTD is predominantly unphosphorylated from initiation until the early pause-region, whereas serine-2- and serine-5-phosphorylations are preferentially deposited in the later pause-region. Upon pause-release, serine-7-phosphorylation rapidly increases and dominates over the region where Pol II assembles elongation factors and accelerates to its full elongational speed. Interestingly, tracking CTD modifications upon heat-induced transcriptional reprogramming demonstrates that Pol II with phosphorylated CTD remains paused on thousands of heat-repressed genes. These results uncover dynamic Pol II regulation at rate-limiting steps of transcription and provide a nucleotide-resolution technique for tracking composition of engaged transcription complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anniina Vihervaara
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Gene Technology, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
| | - Philip Versluis
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Samu V Himanen
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Gene Technology, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - John T Lis
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
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10
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Pluta AJ, Studniarek C, Murphy S, Norbury CJ. Cyclin-dependent kinases: Masters of the eukaryotic universe. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2023; 15:e1816. [PMID: 37718413 PMCID: PMC10909489 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
A family of structurally related cyclin-dependent protein kinases (CDKs) drives many aspects of eukaryotic cell function. Much of the literature in this area has considered individual members of this family to act primarily either as regulators of the cell cycle, the context in which CDKs were first discovered, or as regulators of transcription. Until recently, CDK7 was the only clear example of a CDK that functions in both processes. However, new data points to several "cell-cycle" CDKs having important roles in transcription and some "transcriptional" CDKs having cell cycle-related targets. For example, novel functions in transcription have been demonstrated for the archetypal cell cycle regulator CDK1. The increasing evidence of the overlap between these two CDK types suggests that they might play a critical role in coordinating the two processes. Here we review the canonical functions of cell-cycle and transcriptional CDKs, and provide an update on how these kinases collaborate to perform important cellular functions. We also provide a brief overview of how dysregulation of CDKs contributes to carcinogenesis, and possible treatment avenues. This article is categorized under: RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA-Protein Complexes RNA Processing > 3' End Processing RNA Processing > Splicing Regulation/Alternative Splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Shona Murphy
- Sir William Dunn School of PathologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Chris J. Norbury
- Sir William Dunn School of PathologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
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11
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DeBerardine M, Booth GT, Versluis PP, Lis JT. The NELF pausing checkpoint mediates the functional divergence of Cdk9. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2762. [PMID: 37179384 PMCID: PMC10182999 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38359-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Promoter-proximal pausing by RNA Pol II is a rate-determining step in gene transcription that is hypothesized to be a prominent point at which regulatory factors act. The pausing factor NELF is known to induce and stabilize pausing, but not all kinds of pausing are NELF-mediated. Here, we find that NELF-depleted Drosophila melanogaster cells functionally recapitulate the NELF-independent pausing we previously observed in fission yeast (which lack NELF). Critically, only NELF-mediated pausing establishes a strict requirement for Cdk9 kinase activity for the release of paused Pol II into productive elongation. Upon inhibition of Cdk9, cells with NELF efficiently shutdown gene transcription, while in NELF-depleted cells, defective, non-productive transcription continues unabated. By introducing a strict checkpoint for Cdk9, the evolution of NELF was likely critical to enable increased regulation of Cdk9 in higher eukaryotes, as Cdk9 availability can be restricted to limit gene transcription without inducing wasteful, non-productive transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael DeBerardine
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Gregory T Booth
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Kanvas Biosciences, Monmouth Junction, NJ, USA
| | - Philip P Versluis
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - John T Lis
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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12
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Chivu AG, Abuhashem A, Barshad G, Rice EJ, Leger MM, Vill AC, Wong W, Brady R, Smith JJ, Wikramanayake AH, Arenas-Mena C, Brito IL, Ruiz-Trillo I, Hadjantonakis AK, Lis JT, Lewis JJ, Danko CG. Evolution of promoter-proximal pausing enabled a new layer of transcription control. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2679520. [PMID: 36993251 PMCID: PMC10055653 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2679520/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Promoter-proximal pausing of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) is a key regulatory step during transcription. Despite the central role of pausing in gene regulation, we do not understand the evolutionary processes that led to the emergence of Pol II pausing or its transition to a rate-limiting step actively controlled by transcription factors. Here we analyzed transcription in species across the tree of life. We found that unicellular eukaryotes display a slow acceleration of Pol II near transcription start sites. This proto-paused-like state transitioned to a longer, focused pause in derived metazoans which coincided with the evolution of new subunits in the NELF and 7SK complexes. Depletion of NELF reverts the mammalian focal pause to a proto-pause-like state and compromises transcriptional activation for a set of heat shock genes. Collectively, this work details the evolutionary history of Pol II pausing and sheds light on how new transcriptional regulatory mechanisms evolve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra G. Chivu
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Abderhman Abuhashem
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY 10065, USA
- Weill Cornell/Rockefeller/Sloan Kettering Tri-Institutional MD-PhD Program, NY 10065, USA
- Biochemistry Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University, NY 10065, USA
| | - Gilad Barshad
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Edward J. Rice
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Michelle M. Leger
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, 08003, Spain
| | - Albert C. Vill
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Wilfred Wong
- Computational and Systems Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Tri-Institutional training Program in Computational Biology and Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Rebecca Brady
- Department of Biology, Ithaca College, Ithaca NY 14850, USA
| | - Jeramiah J. Smith
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40506, USA
| | | | - César Arenas-Mena
- Department of Biology at the College of Staten Island and PhD Programs in Biology and Biochemistry at The Graduate Center, The City University of New York (CUNY), Staten Island, NY 10314, USA
| | - Ilana L. Brito
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Iñaki Ruiz-Trillo
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, 08003, Spain
- ICREA, Pg. Lluis Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain., Barcelona, 08003, Spain
| | - Anna-Katerina Hadjantonakis
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY 10065, USA
- Biochemistry Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University, NY 10065, USA
| | - John T. Lis
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - James J. Lewis
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University, 105 Collings St, Clemson, SC 29634
| | - Charles G. Danko
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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13
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Vihervaara A, Versluis P, Lis JT. PRO-IP-seq Tracks Molecular Modifications of Engaged Pol II Complexes at Nucleotide Resolution. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.04.527107. [PMID: 36778434 PMCID: PMC9915724 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.04.527107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) is a multi-subunit complex that undergoes covalent modifications as transcription proceeds through genes and enhancers. Rate-limiting steps of transcription control Pol II recruitment, site and degree of initiation, pausing duration, productive elongation, nascent transcript processing, transcription termination, and Pol II recycling. Here, we developed Precision Run-On coupled to Immuno-Precipitation sequencing (PRO-IP-seq) and tracked phosphorylation of Pol II C-terminal domain (CTD) at nucleotide-resolution. We uncovered precise positional control of Pol II CTD phosphorylation as transcription proceeds from the initiating nucleotide, through early and late promoter-proximal pause, and into productive elongation. Pol II CTD was predominantly unphosphorylated in the early pause-region, whereas serine-2- and serine-5-phosphorylations occurred preferentially in the later pause-region. Serine-7-phosphorylation dominated after the pause-release in a region where Pol II accelerates to its full elongational speed. Interestingly, tracking transcription upon heat-induced reprogramming demonstrated that Pol II with phosphorylated CTD remains paused on heat-repressed genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anniina Vihervaara
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Gene Technology, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Lead contact
| | - Philip Versluis
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - John T. Lis
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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14
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Chen R, Hassankhani R, Long Y, Basnet SKC, Teo T, Yang Y, Mekonnen L, Yu M, Wang S. Discovery of Potent Inhibitors of Cyclin-Dependent Kinases 7 and 9: Design, Synthesis, Structure-Activity Relationship Analysis and Biological Evaluation. ChemMedChem 2023; 18:e202200582. [PMID: 36400715 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202200582] [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: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) 7 and 9 are deregulated in various types of human cancer and are thus viewed as therapeutic targets. Accordingly, small-molecule inhibitors of both CDKs are highly sought-after. Capitalising on our previous discovery of CDKI-73, a potent CDK9 inhibitor, medicinal chemistry optimisation was pursued. A number of N-pyridinylpyrimidin-2-amines were rationally designed, chemically synthesised and biologically assessed. Among them, N-(6-(4-cyclopentylpiperazin-1-yl)pyridin-3-yl)-4-(imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidin-3-yl)pyrimidin-2-amine was found to be one of the most potent inhibitors of CDKs 7 and 9 as well as the most effective anti-proliferative agent towards multiple human cancer cell lines. The cellular mode of action of this compound was investigated in MV4-11 acute myeloid leukaemia cells, revealing that the compound dampened the kinase activity of cellular CDKs 7 and 9, arrested the cell cycle at sub-G1 phase and induced apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renjie Chen
- Drug Discovery and Development, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Ramin Hassankhani
- Drug Discovery and Development, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Yi Long
- Drug Discovery and Development, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Sunita K C Basnet
- Drug Discovery and Development, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Theodosia Teo
- Drug Discovery and Development, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Yuchao Yang
- Drug Discovery and Development, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Laychiluh Mekonnen
- Drug Discovery and Development, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Mingfeng Yu
- Drug Discovery and Development, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Shudong Wang
- Drug Discovery and Development, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
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15
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Design, synthesis and anticancer evaluation of selective 2,4-disubstituted pyrimidine CDK9 inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 244:114875. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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16
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Zheng M, Lin Y, Wang W, Zhao Y, Bao X. Application of nucleoside or nucleotide analogues in RNA dynamics and RNA-binding protein analysis. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2022; 13:e1722. [PMID: 35218164 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cellular RNAs undergo dynamic changes during RNA biological processes, which are tightly orchestrated by RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). Yet, the investigation of RNA dynamics is hurdled by highly abundant steady-state RNAs, which make the signals of dynamic RNAs less detectable. Notably, the exert of nucleoside or nucleotide analogue-based RNA technologies has provided a remarkable platform for RNA dynamics research, revealing diverse unnoticed features in RNA metabolism. In this review, we focus on the application of two types of analogue-based RNA sequencing, antigen-/antibody- and click chemistry-based methodologies, and summarize the RNA dynamics features revealed. Moreover, we discuss emerging single-cell newly transcribed RNA sequencing methodologies based on nucleoside analogue labeling, which provides novel insights into RNA dynamics regulation at single-cell resolution. On the other hand, we also emphasize the identification of RBPs that interact with polyA, non-polyA RNAs, or newly transcribed RNAs and also their associated RNA-binding domains at genomewide level through ultraviolet crosslinking and mass spectrometry in different contexts. We anticipated that further modification and development of these analogue-based RNA and RBP capture technologies will aid in obtaining an unprecedented understanding of RNA biology. This article is categorized under: RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Recognition RNA Structure and Dynamics > RNA Structure, Dynamics and Chemistry RNA Methods > RNA Analyses in Cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meifeng Zheng
- Center for Cell Lineage and Development, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, GIBH-HKU Guangdong-Hong Kong Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Centre, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yingying Lin
- Center for Cell Lineage and Development, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, GIBH-HKU Guangdong-Hong Kong Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Centre, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- The Center for Infection and Immunity Study, School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangming Science City, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Center for Biosafety, Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xichen Bao
- Center for Cell Lineage and Development, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, GIBH-HKU Guangdong-Hong Kong Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Centre, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Center for Cell Lineage and Atlas, Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou, China
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17
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Integrative analysis reveals histone demethylase LSD1 promotes RNA polymerase II pausing. iScience 2022; 25:105049. [PMID: 36124234 PMCID: PMC9482124 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) is well-known for its role in decommissioning enhancers during mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC) differentiation. Its role in gene promoters remains poorly understood despite its widespread presence at these sites. Here, we report that LSD1 promotes RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) pausing, a rate-limiting step in transcription regulation, in ESCs. We found the knockdown of LSD1 preferentially affects genes with higher RNAPII pausing. Next, we demonstrate that the co-localization sites of LSD1 and MYC, a factor known to regulate pause-release, are enriched for other RNAPII pausing factors. We show that LSD1 and MYC directly interact and MYC recruitment to genes co-regulated with LSD1 is dependent on LSD1 but not vice versa. The co-regulated gene set is significantly enriched for housekeeping processes and depleted of transcription factors compared to those bound by LSD1 alone. Collectively, our integrative analysis reveals a pleiotropic role of LSD1 in promoting RNAPII pausing. LSD1 promotes RNA polymerase II pausing in mouse embryonic stem cells LSD1 knockdown causes global reduction of RNAPII pausing Co-localized sites of LSD1 and MYC are enriched for RNAPII pausing and releasing factors MYC recruitment to co-regulated genes is dependent on LSD1 but not vice versa
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18
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Rabenius A, Chandrakumaran S, Sistonen L, Vihervaara A. Quantifying RNA synthesis at rate-limiting steps of transcription using nascent RNA-sequencing data. STAR Protoc 2022; 3:101036. [PMID: 35036951 PMCID: PMC8749334 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2021.101036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Nascent RNA-sequencing tracks transcription at nucleotide resolution. The genomic distribution of engaged transcription complexes, in turn, uncovers functional genomic regions. Here, we provide analytical steps to (1) identify transcribed regulatory elements de novo genome-wide, (2) quantify engaged transcription complexes at enhancers, promoter-proximal regions, divergent transcripts, gene bodies, and termination windows, and (3) measure distribution of transcription machineries and regulatory proteins across functional genomic regions. This protocol tracks engaged transcription complexes across functional genomic regions demonstrated in human K562 erythroleukemia cells. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Vihervaara et al. (2021). Identification of transcribed regulatory elements de novo genome-wide Quantification of engaged transcription complexes at functional genomic regions Measuring distribution of transcription regulators across the functional genomic regions Revealing functional genomic regions from nascent transcription data
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Affiliation(s)
- Adelina Rabenius
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Gene Technology, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sajitha Chandrakumaran
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Gene Technology, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lea Sistonen
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Cell Biology, Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland.,Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Anniina Vihervaara
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Gene Technology, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden
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19
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Hunter S, Sigauke RF, Stanley JT, Allen MA, Dowell RD. Protocol variations in run-on transcription dataset preparation produce detectable signatures in sequencing libraries. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:187. [PMID: 35255806 PMCID: PMC8900324 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08352-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A variety of protocols exist for producing whole genome run-on transcription datasets. However, little is known about how differences between these protocols affect the signal within the resulting libraries. Results Using run-on transcription datasets generated from the same biological system, we show that a variety of GRO- and PRO-seq preparation methods leave identifiable signatures within each library. Specifically we show that the library preparation method results in differences in quality control metrics, as well as differences in the signal distribution at the 5 ′ end of transcribed regions. These shifts lead to disparities in eRNA identification, but do not impact analyses aimed at inferring the key regulators involved in changes to transcription. Conclusions Run-on sequencing protocol variations result in technical signatures that can be used to identify both the enrichment and library preparation method of a particular data set. These technical signatures are batch effects that limit detailed comparisons of pausing ratios and eRNAs identified across protocols. However, these batch effects have only limited impact on our ability to infer which regulators underlie the observed transcriptional changes. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at (10.1186/s12864-022-08352-8).
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Hunter
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, 80309, USA
| | - Rutendo F Sigauke
- Computational Bioscience Program, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, 80045, USA
| | - Jacob T Stanley
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, 80301, USA
| | - Mary A Allen
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, 80309, USA
| | - Robin D Dowell
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, 80309, USA. .,Computational Bioscience Program, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, 80045, USA. .,Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, 80301, USA. .,Department of Computer Science, University of Colorado, Boulder, 80309, USA.
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20
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Wong CH, Li CH, Man Tong JH, Zheng D, He Q, Luo Z, Lou UK, Wang J, To KF, Chen Y. The Establishment of CDK9/ RNA PolII/H3K4me3/DNA Methylation Feedback Promotes HOTAIR Expression by RNA Elongation Enhancement in Cancer. Mol Ther 2022; 30:1597-1609. [PMID: 35121112 PMCID: PMC9077372 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.01.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNA HOX Transcript Antisense RNA (HOTAIR) is overexpressed in multiple cancers with diverse genetic profiles. Importantly, since HOTAIR heavily contributes to cancer progression by promoting tumor growth and metastasis, HOTAIR becomes a potential target for cancer therapy. However, the underlying mechanism leading to HOTAIR deregulation is largely unexplored. Here, we performed a pan-cancer analysis using more than 4,200 samples and found that intragenic exon CpG island (Ex-CGI) was hypermethylated and was positively correlated to HOTAIR expression. Also, we revealed that Ex-CGI methylation promotes HOTAIR expression through enhancing the transcription elongation process. Furthermore, we linked up the aberrant intragenic tri-methylation on H3 at lysine 4 (H3K4me3) and Ex-CGI DNA methylation in promoting transcription elongation of HOTAIR. Targeting the oncogenic CDK7-CDK9-H3K4me3 axis downregulated HOTAIR expression and inhibited cell growth in many cancers. To our knowledge, this is the first time that a positive feedback loop that involved CDK9-mediated phosphorylation of RNA Polymerase II Serine 2 (RNA PolII Ser2), H3K4me3, and intragenic DNA methylation, which induced robust transcriptional elongation and heavily contributed to the upregulation of oncogenic lncRNA in cancer has been demonstrated. Targeting the oncogenic CDK7-CDK9-H3K4me3 axis could be a novel therapy in many cancers through inhibiting the HOTAIR expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Hin Wong
- A School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
| | - Chi Han Li
- A School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
| | - Joanna Hung Man Tong
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Duo Zheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Shenzhen University International Cancer Center, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Qifang He
- A School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
| | - Zhiyuan Luo
- A School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
| | - Ut Kei Lou
- A School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
| | - Jiatong Wang
- A School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
| | - Ka-Fai To
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Yangchao Chen
- A School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong; Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518087, China.
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21
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Vervoort SJ, Devlin JR, Kwiatkowski N, Teng M, Gray NS, Johnstone RW. Targeting transcription cycles in cancer. Nat Rev Cancer 2022; 22:5-24. [PMID: 34675395 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-021-00411-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Accurate control of gene expression is essential for normal development and dysregulation of transcription underpins cancer onset and progression. Similar to cell cycle regulation, RNA polymerase II-driven transcription can be considered as a unidirectional multistep cycle, with thousands of unique transcription cycles occurring in concert within each cell. Each transcription cycle comprises recruitment, initiation, pausing, elongation, termination and recycling stages that are tightly controlled by the coordinated action of transcriptional cyclin-dependent kinases and their cognate cyclins as well as the opposing activity of transcriptional phosphatases. Oncogenic dysregulation of transcription can entail defective control of gene expression, either at select loci or more globally, impacting a large proportion of the genome. The resultant dependency on the core-transcriptional machinery is believed to render 'transcriptionally addicted' cancers sensitive to perturbation of transcription. Based on these findings, small molecules targeting transcriptional cyclin-dependent kinases and associated proteins hold promise for the treatment of cancer. Here, we utilize the transcription cycles concept to explain how dysregulation of these finely tuned gene expression processes may drive tumorigenesis and how therapeutically beneficial responses may arise from global or selective transcriptional perturbation. This conceptual framework helps to explain tumour-selective transcriptional dependencies and facilitates the rational design of combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephin J Vervoort
- Gene Regulation Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jennifer R Devlin
- Gene Regulation Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nicholas Kwiatkowski
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mingxing Teng
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, CHEM-H and SCI, Stanford Medical School, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Ricky W Johnstone
- Gene Regulation Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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22
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El Dika M, Fritz AJ, Toor RH, Rodriguez PD, Foley SJ, Ullah R, Nie D, Banerjee B, Lohese D, Glass KC, Frietze S, Ghule PN, Heath JL, Imbalzano AN, van Wijnen A, Gordon J, Lian JB, Stein JL, Stein GS, Stein GS. Epigenetic-Mediated Regulation of Gene Expression for Biological Control and Cancer: Fidelity of Mechanisms Governing the Cell Cycle. Results Probl Cell Differ 2022; 70:375-396. [PMID: 36348115 PMCID: PMC9703624 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-06573-6_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The cell cycle is governed by stringent epigenetic mechanisms that, in response to intrinsic and extrinsic regulatory cues, support fidelity of DNA replication and cell division. We will focus on (1) the complex and interdependent processes that are obligatory for control of proliferation and compromised in cancer, (2) epigenetic and topological domains that are associated with distinct phases of the cell cycle that may be altered in cancer initiation and progression, and (3) the requirement for mitotic bookmarking to maintain intranuclear localization of transcriptional regulatory machinery to reinforce cell identity throughout the cell cycle to prevent malignant transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed El Dika
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Andrew J. Fritz
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Rabail H. Toor
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Burlington, VT 05405
| | | | - Stephen J. Foley
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Rahim Ullah
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Daijing Nie
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Bodhisattwa Banerjee
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Dorcas Lohese
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Karen C. Glass
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Seth Frietze
- University of Vermont, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Prachi N. Ghule
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Jessica L. Heath
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Burlington, VT 05405,University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Anthony N. Imbalzano
- UMass Chan Medical School, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Andre van Wijnen
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Jonathan Gordon
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Jane B. Lian
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Janet L. Stein
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Burlington, VT 05405
| | - Gary S. Stein
- University of Vermont, UVM Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Burlington, VT 05405
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23
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Cheon Y, Han S, Kim T, Hwang D, Lee D. The chromatin remodeler Ino80 mediates RNAPII pausing site determination. Genome Biol 2021; 22:294. [PMID: 34663418 PMCID: PMC8524862 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-021-02500-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Promoter-proximal pausing of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) is a critical step for the precise regulation of gene expression. Despite the apparent close relationship between promoter-proximal pausing and nucleosome, the role of chromatin remodeler governing this step has mainly remained elusive. RESULTS Here, we report highly confined RNAPII enrichments downstream of the transcriptional start site in Saccharomyces cerevisiae using PRO-seq experiments. This non-uniform distribution of RNAPII exhibits both similar and different characteristics with promoter-proximal pausing in Schizosaccharomyces pombe and metazoans. Interestingly, we find that Ino80p knockdown causes a significant upstream transition of promoter-proximal RNAPII for a subset of genes, relocating RNAPII from the main pausing site to the alternative pausing site. The proper positioning of RNAPII is largely dependent on nucleosome context. We reveal that the alternative pausing site is closely associated with the + 1 nucleosome, and nucleosome architecture around the main pausing site of these genes is highly phased. In addition, Ino80p knockdown results in an increase in fuzziness and a decrease in stability of the + 1 nucleosome. Furthermore, the loss of INO80 also leads to the shift of promoter-proximal RNAPII toward the alternative pausing site in mouse embryonic stem cells. CONCLUSIONS Based on our collective results, we hypothesize that the highly conserved chromatin remodeler Ino80p is essential in establishing intact RNAPII pausing during early transcription elongation in various organisms, from budding yeast to mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngseo Cheon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34141, South Korea
| | - Sungwook Han
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34141, South Korea
| | - Taemook Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34141, South Korea
| | - Daehee Hwang
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, South Korea
| | - Daeyoup Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34141, South Korea.
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24
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Lozano R, Booth GT, Omar BY, Li B, Buckler ES, Lis JT, Del Carpio DP, Jannink JL. RNA polymerase mapping in plants identifies intergenic regulatory elements enriched in causal variants. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2021; 11:6364897. [PMID: 34499719 PMCID: PMC8527479 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Control of gene expression is fundamental at every level of cell function. Promoter-proximal pausing and divergent transcription at promoters and enhancers, which are prominent features in animals, have only been studied in a handful of research experiments in plants. PRO-Seq analysis in cassava (Manihot esculenta) identified peaks of transcriptionally engaged RNA polymerase at both the 5' and 3' end of genes, consistent with paused or slowly moving Polymerase. In addition, we identified divergent transcription at intergenic sites. A full genome search for bi-directional transcription using an algorithm for enhancer detection developed in mammals (dREG) identified many intergenic regulatory element (IRE) candidates. These sites showed distinct patterns of methylation and nucleotide conservation based on genomic evolutionary rate profiling (GERP). SNPs within these IRE candidates explained significantly more variation in fitness and root composition than SNPs in chromosomal segments randomly ascertained from the same intergenic distribution, strongly suggesting a functional importance of these sites. Maize GRO-Seq data showed RNA polymerase occupancy at IREs consistent with patterns in cassava. Furthermore, these IREs in maize significantly overlapped with sites previously identified on the basis of open chromatin, histone marks, and methylation, and were enriched for reported eQTL. Our results suggest that bidirectional transcription can identify intergenic genomic regions in plants that play an important role in transcription regulation and whose identification has the potential to aid crop improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Lozano
- Plant Breeding and Genetics, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Gregory T Booth
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | | | - Bo Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics and National Center for Plant Gene Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Edward S Buckler
- Plant Breeding and Genetics, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.,Institute for Genomic Diversity, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.,United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) R.W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - John T Lis
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Dunia Pino Del Carpio
- Plant Breeding and Genetics, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Jean-Luc Jannink
- Plant Breeding and Genetics, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.,United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) R.W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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25
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Qing Y, Wang X, Wang H, Hu P, Li H, Yu X, Zhu M, Wang Z, Zhu Y, Xu J, Guo Q, Hui H. Pharmacologic targeting of the P-TEFb complex as a therapeutic strategy for chronic myeloid leukemia. Cell Commun Signal 2021; 19:83. [PMID: 34372855 PMCID: PMC8351106 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-021-00764-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) kinase activity is involved in the process of transcription. Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9), a core component of P-TEFb, regulates the process of transcription elongation, which is associated with differentiation and apoptosis in many cancer types. Wogonin, a natural CDK9 inhibitor isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis. This study aimed to investigate the involved molecular mechanisms of wogonin on anti- chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS mRNA and protein levels were analysed by RT-qPCR and western blot. Flow cytometry was used to assess cell differentiation and apoptosis. Cell transfection, immunofluorescence analysis and co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) assays were applied to address the potential regulatory mechanism of wogonin. KU-812 cells xenograft NOD/SCID mice model was used to assess and verify the mechanism in vivo. RESULTS We reported that the anti-CML effects in K562, KU-812 and primary CML cells induced by wogonin were regulated by P-TEFb complex. We also confirmed the relationship between CDK9 and erythroid differentiation via knockdown the expression of CDK9. For further study the mechanism of erythroid differentiation induced by wogonin, co-IP experiments were used to demonstrate that wogonin increased the binding between GATA-1 and FOG-1 but decreased the binding between GATA-1 and RUNX1, which were depended on P-TEFb. Also, wogonin induced apoptosis and decreased the mRNA and protein levels of MCL-1 in KU-812 cells, which is the downstream of P-TEFb. In vivo studies showed wogonin had good anti-tumor effects in KU-812 xenografts NOD/ SCID mice model and decreased the proportion of human CD45+ cells in spleens of mice. We also verified that wogonin exhibited anti-CML effects through modulating P-TEFb activity in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicated a special mechanism involving the regulation of P-TEFb kinase activity in CML cells, providing evidences for further application of wogonin in CML clinical treatment. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingjie Qing
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangyuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongzheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Po Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoxuan Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine and Holostic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengyuan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhanyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Zhu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, 210029, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingyan Xu
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated DrumTower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, People's Republic of China
| | - Qinglong Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hui Hui
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China.
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26
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LeBlanc BM, Moreno RY, Escobar EE, Venkat Ramani MK, Brodbelt JS, Zhang Y. What's all the phos about? Insights into the phosphorylation state of the RNA polymerase II C-terminal domain via mass spectrometry. RSC Chem Biol 2021; 2:1084-1095. [PMID: 34458825 PMCID: PMC8341212 DOI: 10.1039/d1cb00083g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) is one of the primary enzymes responsible for expressing protein-encoding genes and some small nuclear RNAs. The enigmatic carboxy-terminal domain (CTD) of RNAP II and its phosphorylation state are critically important in regulating transcription in vivo. Early methods of identifying phosphorylation on the CTD heptad were plagued by issues of low specificity and ambiguous signals. However, advancements in the field of mass spectrometry (MS) have presented the opportunity to gain new insights into well-studied processes as well as explore new frontiers in transcription. By using MS, residues which are modified within the CTD heptad and across repeats are now able to be pinpointed. Likewise, identification of kinase and phosphatase specificity towards residues of the CTD has reached a new level of accuracy. Now, MS is being used to investigate the crosstalk between modified residues of the CTD and may be a critical technique for understanding how phosphorylation plays a role in the new LLPS model of transcription. Herein, we discuss the development of various MS techniques and evaluate their capabilities. By highlighting the pros and cons of each technique, we aim to provide future investigators with a comprehensive overview of how MS can be used to investigate the complexities of RNAP-II mediated transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blase M LeBlanc
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas Austin USA
| | - R Yvette Moreno
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas Austin USA
| | | | | | | | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas Austin USA
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Austin USA
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27
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CDK9 keeps RNA polymerase II on track. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:5543-5567. [PMID: 34146121 PMCID: PMC8257543 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03878-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9), the kinase component of positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb), is essential for transcription of most protein-coding genes by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII). By releasing promoter-proximally paused RNAPII into gene bodies, CDK9 controls the entry of RNAPII into productive elongation and is, therefore, critical for efficient synthesis of full-length messenger (m)RNAs. In recent years, new players involved in P-TEFb-dependent processes have been identified and an important function of CDK9 in coordinating elongation with transcription initiation and termination has been unveiled. As the regulatory functions of CDK9 in gene expression continue to expand, a number of human pathologies, including cancers, have been associated with aberrant CDK9 activity, underscoring the need to properly regulate CDK9. Here, I provide an overview of CDK9 function and regulation, with an emphasis on CDK9 dysregulation in human diseases.
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28
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Pinto D, Pagé V, Fisher RP, Tanny JC. New connections between ubiquitylation and methylation in the co-transcriptional histone modification network. Curr Genet 2021; 67:695-705. [PMID: 34089069 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-021-01196-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Co-transcriptional histone modifications are a ubiquitous feature of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcription, with profound but incompletely understood effects on gene expression. Unlike the covalent marks found at promoters, which are thought to be instructive for transcriptional activation, these modifications occur in gene bodies as a result of transcription, which has made elucidation of their functions challenging. Here we review recent insights into the regulation and roles of two such modifications: monoubiquitylation of histone H2B at lysine 120 (H2Bub1) and methylation of histone H3 at lysine 36 (H3K36me). Both H2Bub1 and H3K36me are enriched in the coding regions of transcribed genes, with highly overlapping distributions, but they were thought to work largely independently. We highlight our recent demonstration that, as was previously shown for H3K36me, H2Bub1 signals to the histone deacetylase (HDAC) complex Rpd3S/Clr6-CII, and that Rpd3S/Clr6-CII and H2Bub1 function in the same pathway to repress aberrant antisense transcription initiating within gene coding regions. Moreover, both of these histone modification pathways are influenced by protein phosphorylation catalyzed by the cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) that regulate RNAPII elongation, chiefly Cdk9. Therefore, H2Bub1 and H3K36me are more tightly linked than previously thought, sharing both upstream regulatory inputs and downstream effectors. Moreover, these newfound connections suggest extensive, bidirectional signaling between RNAPII elongation complexes and chromatin-modifying enzymes, which helps to determine transcriptional outputs and should be a focus for future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Pinto
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Vivane Pagé
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Robert P Fisher
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Jason C Tanny
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
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29
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Cossa G, Parua PK, Eilers M, Fisher RP. Protein phosphatases in the RNAPII transcription cycle: erasers, sculptors, gatekeepers, and potential drug targets. Genes Dev 2021; 35:658-676. [PMID: 33888562 PMCID: PMC8091971 DOI: 10.1101/gad.348315.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
In this review, Cossa et al. discuss the current knowledge and outstanding questions about phosphatases in the context of the RNAPII transcription cycle. The transcription cycle of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) is governed at multiple points by opposing actions of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and protein phosphatases, in a process with similarities to the cell division cycle. While important roles of the kinases have been established, phosphatases have emerged more slowly as key players in transcription, and large gaps remain in understanding of their precise functions and targets. Much of the earlier work focused on the roles and regulation of sui generis and often atypical phosphatases—FCP1, Rtr1/RPAP2, and SSU72—with seemingly dedicated functions in RNAPII transcription. Decisive roles in the transcription cycle have now been uncovered for members of the major phosphoprotein phosphatase (PPP) family, including PP1, PP2A, and PP4—abundant enzymes with pleiotropic roles in cellular signaling pathways. These phosphatases appear to act principally at the transitions between transcription cycle phases, ensuring fine control of elongation and termination. Much is still unknown, however, about the division of labor among the PPP family members, and their possible regulation by or of the transcriptional kinases. CDKs active in transcription have recently drawn attention as potential therapeutic targets in cancer and other diseases, raising the prospect that the phosphatases might also present opportunities for new drug development. Here we review the current knowledge and outstanding questions about phosphatases in the context of the RNAPII transcription cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Cossa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Pabitra K Parua
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, USA
| | - Martin Eilers
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Robert P Fisher
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, USA
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30
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Rambout X, Maquat LE. The nuclear cap-binding complex as choreographer of gene transcription and pre-mRNA processing. Genes Dev 2021; 34:1113-1127. [PMID: 32873578 PMCID: PMC7462061 DOI: 10.1101/gad.339986.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In this review, Rambout and Maquat discuss known roles of the nuclear cap-binding complex (CBC) during the transcription of genes that encode proteins, stitching together past studies from diverse groups to describe the continuum of CBC-mediated checks and balances in eukaryotic cells. The largely nuclear cap-binding complex (CBC) binds to the 5′ caps of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII)-synthesized transcripts and serves as a dynamic interaction platform for a myriad of RNA processing factors that regulate gene expression. While influence of the CBC can extend into the cytoplasm, here we review the roles of the CBC in the nucleus, with a focus on protein-coding genes. We discuss differences between CBC function in yeast and mammals, covering the steps of transcription initiation, release of RNAPII from pausing, transcription elongation, cotranscriptional pre-mRNA splicing, transcription termination, and consequences of spurious transcription. We describe parameters known to control the binding of generic or gene-specific cofactors that regulate CBC activities depending on the process(es) targeted, illustrating how the CBC is an ever-changing choreographer of gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Rambout
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14642, USA.,Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14642, USA
| | - Lynne E Maquat
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14642, USA.,Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14642, USA
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31
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Vihervaara A, Mahat DB, Himanen SV, Blom MAH, Lis JT, Sistonen L. Stress-induced transcriptional memory accelerates promoter-proximal pause release and decelerates termination over mitotic divisions. Mol Cell 2021; 81:1715-1731.e6. [PMID: 33784494 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2021.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Heat shock instantly reprograms transcription. Whether gene and enhancer transcription fully recover from stress and whether stress establishes a memory by provoking transcription regulation that persists through mitosis remained unknown. Here, we measured nascent transcription and chromatin accessibility in unconditioned cells and in the daughters of stress-exposed cells. Tracking transcription genome-wide at nucleotide-resolution revealed that cells precisely restored RNA polymerase II (Pol II) distribution at gene bodies and enhancers upon recovery from stress. However, a single heat exposure in embryonic fibroblasts primed a faster gene induction in their daughter cells by increasing promoter-proximal Pol II pausing and by accelerating the pause release. In K562 erythroleukemia cells, repeated stress refined basal and heat-induced transcription over mitotic division and decelerated termination-coupled pre-mRNA processing. The slower termination retained transcripts on the chromatin and reduced recycling of Pol II. These results demonstrate that heat-induced transcriptional memory acts through promoter-proximal pause release and pre-mRNA processing at transcription termination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anniina Vihervaara
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Cell Biology, Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland; Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland; Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Department of Gene Technology, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Dig Bijay Mahat
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Samu V Himanen
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Cell Biology, Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland; Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Malin A H Blom
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Cell Biology, Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland; Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - John T Lis
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
| | - Lea Sistonen
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Cell Biology, Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland; Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland.
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32
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Understanding transcription across scales: From base pairs to chromosomes. Mol Cell 2021; 81:1601-1616. [PMID: 33770487 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2021.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The influence of genome organization on transcription is central to our understanding of cell type specification. Higher-order genome organization is established through short- and long-range DNA interactions. Coordination of these interactions, from single atoms to entire chromosomes, plays a fundamental role in transcriptional control of gene expression. Loss of this coupling can result in disease. Analysis of transcriptional regulation typically involves disparate experimental approaches, from structural studies that define angstrom-level interactions to cell-biological and genomic approaches that assess mesoscale relationships. Thus, to fully understand the mechanisms that regulate gene expression, it is critical to integrate the findings gained across these distinct size scales. In this review, I illustrate fundamental ways in which cells regulate transcription in the context of genome organization.
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33
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Patel RK, West JD, Jiang Y, Fogarty EA, Grimson A. Robust partitioning of microRNA targets from downstream regulatory changes. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:9724-9746. [PMID: 32821933 PMCID: PMC7515711 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The biological impact of microRNAs (miRNAs) is determined by their targets, and robustly identifying direct miRNA targets remains challenging. Existing methods suffer from high false-positive rates and are unable to effectively differentiate direct miRNA targets from downstream regulatory changes. Here, we present an experimental and computational framework to deconvolute post-transcriptional and transcriptional changes using a combination of RNA-seq and PRO-seq. This novel approach allows us to systematically profile the regulatory impact of a miRNA. We refer to this approach as CARP: Combined Analysis of RNA-seq and PRO-seq. We apply CARP to multiple miRNAs and show that it robustly distinguishes direct targets from downstream changes, while greatly reducing false positives. We validate our approach using Argonaute eCLIP-seq and ribosome profiling, demonstrating that CARP defines a comprehensive repertoire of targets. Using this approach, we identify miRNA-specific activity of target sites within the open reading frame. Additionally, we show that CARP facilitates the dissection of complex changes in gene regulatory networks triggered by miRNAs and identification of transcription factors that mediate downstream regulatory changes. Given the robustness of the approach, CARP would be particularly suitable for dissecting miRNA regulatory networks in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi K Patel
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
- Graduate Field of Genetics, Genomics, and Development, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
| | - Jessica D West
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
- Graduate Field of Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
| | - Ya Jiang
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
- Graduate Field of Genetics, Genomics, and Development, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Fogarty
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
| | - Andrew Grimson
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +1 607 254 1307; Fax: +1 607 254 1307;
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34
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Tellier M, Zaborowska J, Caizzi L, Mohammad E, Velychko T, Schwalb B, Ferrer-Vicens I, Blears D, Nojima T, Cramer P, Murphy S. CDK12 globally stimulates RNA polymerase II transcription elongation and carboxyl-terminal domain phosphorylation. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:7712-7727. [PMID: 32805052 PMCID: PMC7641311 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) phosphorylates the carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase II (pol II) but its roles in transcription beyond the expression of DNA damage response genes remain unclear. Here, we have used TT-seq and mNET-seq to monitor the direct effects of rapid CDK12 inhibition on transcription activity and CTD phosphorylation in human cells. CDK12 inhibition causes a genome-wide defect in transcription elongation and a global reduction of CTD Ser2 and Ser5 phosphorylation. The elongation defect is explained by the loss of the elongation factors LEO1 and CDC73, part of PAF1 complex, and SPT6 from the newly-elongating pol II. Our results indicate that CDK12 is a general activator of pol II transcription elongation and indicate that it targets both Ser2 and Ser5 residues of the pol II CTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Tellier
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Justyna Zaborowska
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Livia Caizzi
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biology, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Eusra Mohammad
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biology, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Taras Velychko
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biology, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Björn Schwalb
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biology, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ivan Ferrer-Vicens
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Daniel Blears
- Mechanisms of Transcription Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Takayuki Nojima
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Patrick Cramer
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biology, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Shona Murphy
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
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35
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Sansó M, Parua PK, Pinto D, Svensson JP, Pagé V, Bitton DA, MacKinnon S, Garcia P, Hidalgo E, Bähler J, Tanny JC, Fisher RP. Cdk9 and H2Bub1 signal to Clr6-CII/Rpd3S to suppress aberrant antisense transcription. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:7154-7168. [PMID: 32496538 PMCID: PMC7367204 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mono-ubiquitylation of histone H2B (H2Bub1) and phosphorylation of elongation factor Spt5 by cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (Cdk9) occur during transcription by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII), and are mutually dependent in fission yeast. It remained unclear whether Cdk9 and H2Bub1 cooperate to regulate the expression of individual genes. Here, we show that Cdk9 inhibition or H2Bub1 loss induces intragenic antisense transcription of ∼10% of fission yeast genes, with each perturbation affecting largely distinct subsets; ablation of both pathways de-represses antisense transcription of over half the genome. H2Bub1 and phospho-Spt5 have similar genome-wide distributions; both modifications are enriched, and directly proportional to each other, in coding regions, and decrease abruptly around the cleavage and polyadenylation signal (CPS). Cdk9-dependence of antisense suppression at specific genes correlates with high H2Bub1 occupancy, and with promoter-proximal RNAPII pausing. Genetic interactions link Cdk9, H2Bub1 and the histone deacetylase Clr6-CII, while combined Cdk9 inhibition and H2Bub1 loss impair Clr6-CII recruitment to chromatin and lead to decreased occupancy and increased acetylation of histones within gene coding regions. These results uncover novel interactions between co-transcriptional histone modification pathways, which link regulation of RNAPII transcription elongation to suppression of aberrant initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Sansó
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Cancer Genomics Group, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pabitra K Parua
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniel Pinto
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - J Peter Svensson
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Viviane Pagé
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Danny A Bitton
- Research Department of Genetics, Evolution & Environment, University College, London, UK
| | - Sarah MacKinnon
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Patricia Garcia
- Departament de Ciènces Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Hidalgo
- Departament de Ciènces Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jürg Bähler
- Research Department of Genetics, Evolution & Environment, University College, London, UK
| | - Jason C Tanny
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Robert P Fisher
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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36
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Parua PK, Kalan S, Benjamin B, Sansó M, Fisher RP. Distinct Cdk9-phosphatase switches act at the beginning and end of elongation by RNA polymerase II. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4338. [PMID: 32859893 PMCID: PMC7455706 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18173-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Reversible phosphorylation of Pol II and accessory factors helps order the transcription cycle. Here, we define two kinase-phosphatase switches that operate at different points in human transcription. Cdk9/cyclin T1 (P-TEFb) catalyzes inhibitory phosphorylation of PP1 and PP4 complexes that localize to 3′ and 5′ ends of genes, respectively, and have overlapping but distinct specificities for Cdk9-dependent phosphorylations of Spt5, a factor instrumental in promoter-proximal pausing and elongation-rate control. PP1 dephosphorylates an Spt5 carboxy-terminal repeat (CTR), but not Spt5-Ser666, a site between Kyrpides-Ouzounis-Woese (KOW) motifs 4 and 5, whereas PP4 can target both sites. In vivo, Spt5-CTR phosphorylation decreases as transcription complexes pass the cleavage and polyadenylation signal (CPS) and increases upon PP1 depletion, consistent with a PP1 function in termination first uncovered in yeast. Depletion of PP4-complex subunits increases phosphorylation of both Ser666 and the CTR, and promotes redistribution of promoter-proximally paused Pol II into gene bodies. These results suggest that switches comprising Cdk9 and either PP4 or PP1 govern pause release and the elongation-termination transition, respectively. Cdk9 (P-TEFb) and its substrate Spt5 influence events throughout the transcription cycle. Here, the authors define two switches with the potential to regulate promoter-proximal pause release and termination, respectively containing phosphatases PP4 and PP1, which are both inhibited by Cdk9, but have different specificities for sites on Spt5 and occupy opposite ends of genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pabitra K Parua
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029-6574, USA
| | - Sampada Kalan
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029-6574, USA
| | - Bradley Benjamin
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029-6574, USA
| | - Miriam Sansó
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029-6574, USA
| | - Robert P Fisher
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029-6574, USA.
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37
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Dissecting the Pol II transcription cycle and derailing cancer with CDK inhibitors. Nat Chem Biol 2020; 16:716-724. [PMID: 32572259 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-020-0563-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Largely non-overlapping sets of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) regulate cell division and RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-dependent transcription. Here we review the molecular mechanisms by which specific CDKs are thought to act at discrete steps in the transcription cycle and describe the recent emergence of transcriptional CDKs as promising drug targets in cancer. We emphasize recent advances in understanding the transcriptional CDK network that were facilitated by development and deployment of small-molecule inhibitors with increased selectivity for individual CDKs. Unexpectedly, several of these compounds have also shown selectivity in killing cancer cells, despite the seemingly universal involvement of their target CDKs during transcription in all cells. Finally, we describe remaining and emerging challenges in defining functions of individual CDKs in transcription and co-transcriptional processes and in leveraging CDK inhibition for therapeutic purposes.
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38
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Eyvazi S, Hejazi MS, Kahroba H, Abasi M, Zamiri RE, Tarhriz V. CDK9 as an Appealing Target for Therapeutic Interventions. Curr Drug Targets 2020; 20:453-464. [PMID: 30362418 DOI: 10.2174/1389450119666181026152221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Cyclin Dependent Kinase 9 (CDK9) as a serine/threonine kinase belongs to a great number of CDKs. CDK9 is the main core of PTEF-b complex and phosphorylates RNA polymerase (RNAP) II besides other transcription factors which regulate gene transcription elongation in numerous physiological processes. Multi-functional nature of CDK9 in diverse cellular pathways proposes that it is as an appealing target. In this review, we summarized the recent findings on the molecular interaction of CDK9 with critical participant molecules to modulate their activity in various diseases. Furthermore, the presented review provides a rationale supporting the use of CDK9 as a therapeutic target in clinical developments for crucial diseases; particularly cancers will be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirin Eyvazi
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Saeid Hejazi
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Homan Kahroba
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mozghan Abasi
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Eghdam Zamiri
- Faculty of medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Vahideh Tarhriz
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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39
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Xu J, Li H, Wang X, Huang J, Li S, Liu C, Dong R, Zhu G, Duan C, Jiang F, Zhang Y, Zhu Y, Zhang T, Chen Y, Tang W, Lu T. Discovery of coumarin derivatives as potent and selective cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) inhibitors with high antitumour activity. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 200:112424. [PMID: 32447197 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Specific inhibition of CDK9 is considered a promising strategy for developing effective anticancer therapeutics. However, most of the reported CDK9 inhibitors are still at an early stage of development and lack selectivity against other CDKs. Herein, we discovered coumarin derivative 30i as a potent CDK9 inhibitor with high selectivity (8300-fold over CDK7). Binding mode analysis illustrated that the substituent coumarin moiety is a critical group for CDK9 selectivity by occupying a flexible hinge/αD region, which is sterically hindered in other CDKs. Compound 30i showed excellent cellular antiproliferative activity, moderate pharmacokinetic property and low hERG inhibition. Moreover, 30i significantly induced tumour growth inhibition in a dose-dependent manner without causing an obvious loss of body weight in an MV4-11 xenograft mice model. Altogether, these results suggest that 30i may serve as a potential acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) therapeutics by selectively targeting CDK9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyu Xu
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China; Hainan province Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Tropical Herbs, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China
| | - Hongmei Li
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Xinren Wang
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Jianhang Huang
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Shuwen Li
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Chenhe Liu
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Ruinan Dong
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Gaoyuan Zhu
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Chunqi Duan
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Fei Jiang
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Yanmin Zhang
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China; Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Yuqin Zhu
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Tianyi Zhang
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Yadong Chen
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China; State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, China; Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China.
| | - Weifang Tang
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China; State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Tao Lu
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China; State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, China; Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211198, China.
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40
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Pilarova K, Herudek J, Blazek D. CDK12: cellular functions and therapeutic potential of versatile player in cancer. NAR Cancer 2020; 2:zcaa003. [PMID: 34316683 PMCID: PMC8210036 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcaa003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) phosphorylates the C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II and is needed for the optimal transcription elongation and translation of a subset of human protein-coding genes. The kinase has a pleiotropic effect on the maintenance of genome stability, and its inactivation in prostate and ovarian tumours results in focal tandem duplications, a CDK12-unique genome instability phenotype. CDK12 aberrations were found in many other malignancies and have the potential to be used as biomarkers for therapeutic intervention. Moreover, the inhibition of CDK12 emerges as a promising strategy for treatment in several types of cancers. In this review, we summarize mechanisms that CDK12 utilizes for the regulation of gene expression and discuss how the perturbation of CDK12-sensitive genes contributes to the disruption of cell cycle progression and the onset of genome instability. Furthermore, we describe tumour-suppressive and oncogenic functions of CDK12 and its potential as a biomarker and inhibition target in anti-tumour treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kveta Pilarova
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Herudek
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Dalibor Blazek
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
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41
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Flores G, Everett JH, Boguslawski EA, Oswald BM, Madaj ZB, Beddows I, Dikalov S, Adams M, Klumpp-Thomas CA, Kitchen-Goosen SM, Martin SE, Caplen NJ, Helman LJ, Grohar PJ. CDK9 Blockade Exploits Context-dependent Transcriptional Changes to Improve Activity and Limit Toxicity of Mithramycin for Ewing Sarcoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2020; 19:1183-1196. [PMID: 32127464 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-19-0775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
There is a need to develop novel approaches to improve the balance between efficacy and toxicity for transcription factor-targeted therapies. In this study, we exploit context-dependent differences in RNA polymerase II processivity as an approach to improve the activity and limit the toxicity of the EWS-FLI1-targeted small molecule, mithramycin, for Ewing sarcoma. The clinical activity of mithramycin for Ewing sarcoma is limited by off-target liver toxicity that restricts the serum concentration to levels insufficient to inhibit EWS-FLI1. In this study, we perform an siRNA screen of the druggable genome followed by a matrix drug screen to identify mithramycin potentiators and a synergistic "class" effect with cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) inhibitors. These CDK9 inhibitors enhanced the mithramycin-mediated suppression of the EWS-FLI1 transcriptional program leading to a shift in the IC50 and striking regressions of Ewing sarcoma xenografts. To determine whether these compounds may also be liver protective, we performed a qPCR screen of all known liver toxicity genes in HepG2 cells to identify mithramycin-driven transcriptional changes that contribute to the liver toxicity. Mithramycin induces expression of the BTG2 gene in HepG2 but not Ewing sarcoma cells, which leads to a liver-specific accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). siRNA silencing of BTG2 rescues the induction of ROS and the cytotoxicity of mithramycin in these cells. Furthermore, CDK9 inhibition blocked the induction of BTG2 to limit cytotoxicity in HepG2, but not Ewing sarcoma cells. These studies provide the basis for a synergistic and less toxic EWS-FLI1-targeted combination therapy for Ewing sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Flores
- Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan.,College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan
| | - Joel H Everett
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Elissa A Boguslawski
- Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan
| | - Brandon M Oswald
- Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan
| | - Zachary B Madaj
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Core, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan
| | - Ian Beddows
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Core, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan
| | - Sergey Dikalov
- The Free Radicals in Medicine Core, Division of Clinical Pharmacology Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Marie Adams
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Core, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan
| | - Carleen A Klumpp-Thomas
- Trans-NIH RNAi Screening Facility, Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Susan M Kitchen-Goosen
- Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan
| | - Scott E Martin
- Trans-NIH RNAi Screening Facility, Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Natasha J Caplen
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Lee J Helman
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Patrick J Grohar
- Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan. .,Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland.,Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee.,Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan.,Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan.,Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
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42
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Wissink EM, Vihervaara A, Tippens ND, Lis JT. Nascent RNA analyses: tracking transcription and its regulation. Nat Rev Genet 2019; 20:705-723. [PMID: 31399713 PMCID: PMC6858503 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-019-0159-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The programmes that direct an organism's development and maintenance are encoded in its genome. Decoding of this information begins with regulated transcription of genomic DNA into RNA. Although transcription and its control can be tracked indirectly by measuring stable RNAs, it is only by directly measuring nascent RNAs that the immediate regulatory changes in response to developmental, environmental, disease and metabolic signals are revealed. Multiple complementary methods have been developed to quantitatively track nascent transcription genome-wide at nucleotide resolution, all of which have contributed novel insights into the mechanisms of gene regulation and transcription-coupled RNA processing. Here we critically evaluate the array of strategies used for investigating nascent transcription and discuss the recent conceptual advances they have provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin M Wissink
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Anniina Vihervaara
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Nathaniel D Tippens
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Tri-Institutional Training Program in Computational Biology and Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - John T Lis
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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43
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Li J, Shi J, Pan Y, Zhao Y, Yan F, Li H, Lei L. Transcription modulation by CDK9 regulates inflammatory genes and RIPK3-MLKL-mediated necroptosis in periodontitis progression. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17369. [PMID: 31758083 PMCID: PMC6874675 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53910-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9), one crucial molecule in promoting the transition from transcription pausing to elongation, is a critical modulator of cell survival and death. However, the pathological function of CDK9 in bacterial inflammatory diseases has never been explored. CDK9 inhibition or knock-down attenuated Porphyromonas gingivalis-triggered inflammatory gene expression. Gene-expression microarray analysis of monocytes revealed that knock-down of CDK9 not only affected inflammatory responses, but also impacted cell death network, especially the receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3)-mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL)-mediated necroptosis after P. gingivalis infection. Inhibition of CDK9 significantly decreased necroptosis with downregulation of both MLKL and phosphorylated MLKL. By regulating caspase-8 and cellular FLICE inhibitory protein (cFLIP), key molecules in regulating cell survival and death, CDK9 affected not only the classic RIPK1-RIPK3-mediated necroptosis, but also the alternate TIR-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β-RIPK3-mediated necroptosis. CDK9 inhibition dampened pro-inflammatory gene production in the acute infection process in the subcutaneous chamber model in vivo. Moreover, CDK9 inhibition contributed to the decreased periodontal bone loss and inflammatory response induced by P. gingivalis in the periodontal micro-environment. In conclusion, by modulating the RIPK3-MLKL-mediated necroptosis, CDK9 inhibition provided a novel mechanism to impact the progress of bacterial infection in the periodontal milieu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Li
- Department of Orthodontics, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiahong Shi
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Periodontics, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue Pan
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yunhe Zhao
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fuhua Yan
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Periodontics, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Houxuan Li
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
- Department of Periodontics, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Lang Lei
- Department of Orthodontics, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
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44
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Chirackal Manavalan AP, Pilarova K, Kluge M, Bartholomeeusen K, Rajecky M, Oppelt J, Khirsariya P, Paruch K, Krejci L, Friedel CC, Blazek D. CDK12 controls G1/S progression by regulating RNAPII processivity at core DNA replication genes. EMBO Rep 2019; 20:e47592. [PMID: 31347271 PMCID: PMC6727028 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201847592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Revised: 06/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
CDK12 is a kinase associated with elongating RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) and is frequently mutated in cancer. CDK12 depletion reduces the expression of homologous recombination (HR) DNA repair genes, but comprehensive insight into its target genes and cellular processes is lacking. We use a chemical genetic approach to inhibit analog-sensitive CDK12, and find that CDK12 kinase activity is required for transcription of core DNA replication genes and thus for G1/S progression. RNA-seq and ChIP-seq reveal that CDK12 inhibition triggers an RNAPII processivity defect characterized by a loss of mapped reads from 3'ends of predominantly long, poly(A)-signal-rich genes. CDK12 inhibition does not globally reduce levels of RNAPII-Ser2 phosphorylation. However, individual CDK12-dependent genes show a shift of P-Ser2 peaks into the gene body approximately to the positions where RNAPII occupancy and transcription were lost. Thus, CDK12 catalytic activity represents a novel link between regulation of transcription and cell cycle progression. We propose that DNA replication and HR DNA repair defects as a consequence of CDK12 inactivation underlie the genome instability phenotype observed in many cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kveta Pilarova
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC)Masaryk UniversityBrnoCzech Republic
| | - Michael Kluge
- Institut für InformatikLudwig‐Maximilians‐Universität MünchenMünchenGermany
| | - Koen Bartholomeeusen
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC)Masaryk UniversityBrnoCzech Republic
- Present address:
Department of Biomedical SciencesInstitute of Tropical MedicineAntwerpBelgium
| | - Michal Rajecky
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC)Masaryk UniversityBrnoCzech Republic
| | - Jan Oppelt
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC)Masaryk UniversityBrnoCzech Republic
| | - Prashant Khirsariya
- Department of ChemistryCZ OpenscreenFaculty of ScienceMasaryk UniversityBrnoCzech Republic
- Center of Biomolecular and Cellular EngineeringInternational Clinical Research CenterSt. Anne's University HospitalBrnoCzech Republic
| | - Kamil Paruch
- Department of ChemistryCZ OpenscreenFaculty of ScienceMasaryk UniversityBrnoCzech Republic
- Center of Biomolecular and Cellular EngineeringInternational Clinical Research CenterSt. Anne's University HospitalBrnoCzech Republic
| | - Lumir Krejci
- Center of Biomolecular and Cellular EngineeringInternational Clinical Research CenterSt. Anne's University HospitalBrnoCzech Republic
- Department of BiologyMasaryk UniversityBrnoCzech Republic
- National Centre for Biomolecular ResearchMasaryk UniversityBrnoCzech Republic
| | - Caroline C Friedel
- Institut für InformatikLudwig‐Maximilians‐Universität MünchenMünchenGermany
| | - Dalibor Blazek
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC)Masaryk UniversityBrnoCzech Republic
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45
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Chun Y, Joo YJ, Suh H, Batot G, Hill CP, Formosa T, Buratowski S. Selective Kinase Inhibition Shows That Bur1 (Cdk9) Phosphorylates the Rpb1 Linker In Vivo. Mol Cell Biol 2019; 39:e00602-18. [PMID: 31085683 PMCID: PMC6639251 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00602-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinases play multiple roles in RNA polymerase II transcription. Cdk7/Kin28, Cdk9/Bur1, and Cdk12/Ctk1 phosphorylate the polymerase and other factors to drive the dynamic exchange of initiation and elongation complex components over the transcription cycle. We engineered strains of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae for rapid, specific inactivation of individual kinases by addition of a covalent inhibitor. While effective, the sensitized kinases can display some idiosyncrasies, and inhibition can be surprisingly transient. As expected, inhibition of Cdk7/Kin28 blocked phosphorylation of the Rpb1 C-terminal domain heptad repeats at serines 5 and 7, the known target sites. However, serine 2 phosphorylation was also abrogated, supporting an obligatory sequential phosphorylation mechanism. Consistent with our previous results using gene deletions, Cdk12/Ctk1 is the predominant kinase responsible for serine 2 phosphorylation. Phosphorylation of the Rpb1 linker enhances binding of the Spt6 tandem SH2 domain, and here we show that Bur1/Cdk9 is the kinase responsible for these modifications in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujin Chun
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Yoo Jin Joo
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Hyunsuk Suh
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Gaëlle Batot
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Christopher P Hill
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Tim Formosa
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Stephen Buratowski
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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46
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Abstract
In this review, Core et al. discuss the recent advances in our understanding of the early steps in Pol II transcription, highlighting the events and factors involved in the establishment and release of paused Pol II. They also discuss a number of unanswered questions about the regulation and function of Pol II pausing. Precise spatio–temporal control of gene activity is essential for organismal development, growth, and survival in a changing environment. Decisive steps in gene regulation involve the pausing of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) in early elongation, and the controlled release of paused polymerase into productive RNA synthesis. Here we describe the factors that enable pausing and the events that trigger Pol II release into the gene. We also discuss open questions in the field concerning the stability of paused Pol II, nucleosomes as obstacles to elongation, and potential roles of pausing in defining the precision and dynamics of gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leighton Core
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Institute of Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, USA
| | - Karen Adelman
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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47
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Fisher RP. Cdk7: a kinase at the core of transcription and in the crosshairs of cancer drug discovery. Transcription 2019; 10:47-56. [PMID: 30488763 PMCID: PMC6602562 DOI: 10.1080/21541264.2018.1553483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription cycle of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) is regulated by a set of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). Cdk7, associated with the transcription initiation factor TFIIH, is both an effector CDK that phosphorylates Pol II and other targets within the transcriptional machinery, and a CDK-activating kinase (CAK) for at least one other essential CDK involved in transcription. Recent studies have illuminated Cdk7 functions that are executed throughout the Pol II transcription cycle, from promoter clearance and promoter-proximal pausing, to co-transcriptional chromatin modification in gene bodies, to mRNA 3´-end formation and termination. Cdk7 has also emerged as a target of small-molecule inhibitors that show promise in the treatment of cancer and inflammation. The challenges now are to identify the relevant targets of Cdk7 at each step of the transcription cycle, and to understand how heightened dependence on an essential CDK emerges in cancer, and might be exploited therapeutically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert P. Fisher
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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48
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Joo YJ, Ficarro SB, Chun Y, Marto JA, Buratowski S. In vitro analysis of RNA polymerase II elongation complex dynamics. Genes Dev 2019; 33:578-589. [PMID: 30846429 PMCID: PMC6499329 DOI: 10.1101/gad.324202.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Here, Joo et al. present the first system reproducing the RNA pol II CTD phosphorylation cycle in vitro and proteomic analysis of elongation complexes. Their findings show that CTD phosphorylations are determined by time after initiation, not how far the polymerase has traveled. RNA polymerase II elongation complexes (ECs) were assembled from nuclear extract on immobilized DNA templates and analyzed by quantitative mass spectrometry. Time-course experiments showed that initiation factor TFIIF can remain bound to early ECs, while levels of core elongation factors Spt4–Spt5, Paf1C, Spt6–Spn1, and Elf1 remain steady. Importantly, the dynamic phosphorylation patterns of the Rpb1 C-terminal domain (CTD) and the factors that recognize them change as a function of postinitiation time rather than distance elongated. Chemical inhibition of Kin28/Cdk7 in vitro blocks both Ser5 and Ser2 phosphorylation, affects initiation site choice, and inhibits elongation efficiency. EC components dependent on CTD phosphorylation include capping enzyme, cap-binding complex, Set2, and the polymerase-associated factor (PAF1) complex. By recapitulating many known features of in vivo elongation, this system reveals new details that clarify how EC-associated factors change at each step of transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoo Jin Joo
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Scott B Ficarro
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.,Blais Proteomics Center, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Yujin Chun
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Jarrod A Marto
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.,Blais Proteomics Center, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Stephen Buratowski
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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49
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Peck SA, Hughes KD, Victorino JF, Mosley AL. Writing a wrong: Coupled RNA polymerase II transcription and RNA quality control. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2019; 10:e1529. [PMID: 30848101 PMCID: PMC6570551 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Revised: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Processing and maturation of precursor RNA species is coupled to RNA polymerase II transcription. Co-transcriptional RNA processing helps to ensure efficient and proper capping, splicing, and 3' end processing of different RNA species to help ensure quality control of the transcriptome. Many improperly processed transcripts are not exported from the nucleus, are restricted to the site of transcription, and are in some cases degraded, which helps to limit any possibility of aberrant RNA causing harm to cellular health. These critical quality control pathways are regulated by the highly dynamic protein-protein interaction network at the site of transcription. Recent work has further revealed the extent to which the processes of transcription and RNA processing and quality control are integrated, and how critically their coupling relies upon the dynamic protein interactions that take place co-transcriptionally. This review focuses specifically on the intricate balance between 3' end processing and RNA decay during transcription termination. This article is categorized under: RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Turnover/Surveillance Mechanisms RNA Processing > 3' End Processing RNA Processing > Splicing Mechanisms RNA Processing > Capping and 5' End Modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Peck
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Katlyn D Hughes
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Jose F Victorino
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Amber L Mosley
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
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50
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Jordán-Pla A, Pérez-Martínez ME, Pérez-Ortín JE. Measuring RNA polymerase activity genome-wide with high-resolution run-on-based methods. Methods 2019; 159-160:177-182. [PMID: 30716396 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2019.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The biogenesis of RNAs is a multi-layered and highly regulated process that involves a diverse set of players acting in an orchestrated manner throughout the transcription cycle. Transcription initiation, elongation and termination factors act on RNA polymerases to modulate their movement along the DNA template in a very precise manner, more complex than previously anticipated. Genome-scale run-on-based methodologies have been developed to study in detail the position of transcriptionally-engaged RNA polymerases. Genomic run-on (GRO), and its many variants and refinements made over the years, are helping the community to address an increasing amount of scientific questions, spanning an increasing range of organisms and systems. In this review, we aim to summarize the most relevant high throughput methodologies developed to study nascent RNA by run-on methods, compare their main features, advantages and limitations, while putting them in context with alternative ways of studying the transcriptional process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Jordán-Pla
- ERI Biotecmed, Facultad de Biológicas, Universitat de València, C/Dr. Moliner 50, E46100 Burjassot, Spain.
| | - Maria E Pérez-Martínez
- ERI Biotecmed, Facultad de Biológicas, Universitat de València, C/Dr. Moliner 50, E46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - José E Pérez-Ortín
- ERI Biotecmed, Facultad de Biológicas, Universitat de València, C/Dr. Moliner 50, E46100 Burjassot, Spain
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