The symmetry of the yeast U6 RNA gene's TATA box and the orientation of the TATA-binding protein in yeast TFIIIB

Functional characterization of Polr3a hypomyelinating leukodystrophy mutations in the S. cerevisiae homolog, RPC160

Mutations in RNA polymerase III (Pol III) cause hypomeylinating leukodystrophy (HLD) and neurodegeneration in humans. POLR3A and POLR3B, the two largest Pol III subunits, together form the catalytic center and carry the majority of disease alleles. Disease-causing mutations include invariant and highly conserved residues that are predicted to negatively affect Pol III activity and decrease transcriptional output. A subset of HLD missense mutations in POLR3A cluster in the pore region that provides nucleotide access to the Pol III active site. These mutations were engineered at the corresponding positions in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae homolog, Rpc160, to evaluate their functional deficits. None of the mutations caused a growth or transcription phenotype in yeast. Each mutation was combined with a frequently occurring pore mutation, POLR3A G672E, which was also wild-type for growth and transcription. The double mutants showed a spectrum of phenotypes from wild-type to lethal, with only the least fit combinations showing an effect on Pol III transcription. In one slow-growing temperature-sensitive mutant the steady-state level of tRNAs was unaffected, however global tRNA synthesis was compromised, as was the synthesis of RPR1 and SNR52 RNAs. Affinity-purified mutant Pol III was broadly defective in both factor-independent and factor-dependent transcription in vitro across genes that represent the yeast Pol III transcriptome. Thus, the robustness of yeast Rpc160 to single Pol III leukodystrophy mutations in the pore domain can be overcome by a second mutation in the domain.

Function of TFIIIC, RNA polymerase III initiation factor, in activation and repression of tRNA gene transcription

Transcription of transfer RNA genes by RNA polymerase III (Pol III) is controlled by general factors, TFIIIB and TFIIIC, and a negative regulator, Maf1. Here we report the interplay between TFIIIC and Maf1 in controlling Pol III activity upon the physiological switch of yeast from fermentation to respiration. TFIIIC directly competes with Pol III for chromatin occupancy as demonstrated by inversely correlated tDNA binding. The association of TFIIIC with tDNA was stronger under unfavorable respiratory conditions and in the presence of Maf1. Induction of tDNA transcription by glucose-activated protein kinase A (PKA) was correlated with the down-regulation of TFIIIC occupancy on tDNA. The conditions that activate the PKA signaling pathway promoted the binding of TFIIIB subunits, Brf1 and Bdp1, with tDNA, but decreased their interaction with TFIIIC. Association of Brf1 and Bdp1 with TFIIIC was much stronger under repressive conditions, potentially restricting TFIIIB recruitment to tDNA and preventing Pol III recruitment. Altogether, we propose a model in which, depending on growth conditions, TFIIIC promotes activation or repression of tDNA transcription.

The annealing helicase and branch migration activities of Drosophila HARP

HARP (SMARCAL1, MARCAL1) is an annealing helicase that functions in the repair and restart of damaged DNA replication forks through its DNA branch migration and replication fork regression activities. HARP is conserved among metazoans. HARP from invertebrates differs by the absence of one of the two HARP-specific domain repeats found in vertebrates. The annealing helicase and branch migration activity of invertebrate HARP has not been documented. We found that HARP from Drosophila melanogaster retains the annealing helicase activity of human HARP, the ability to disrupt D-loops and to branch migrate Holliday junctions, but fails to regress model DNA replication fork structures. A comparison of human and Drosophila HARP on additional substrates revealed that both HARPs are competent in branch migrating a bidirectional replication bubble composed of either DNA:DNA or RNA:DNA hybrid. Human, but not Drosophila, HARP is also capable of regressing a replication fork structure containing a highly stable poly rG:dC hybrid. Persistent RNA:DNA hybrids in vivo can lead to replication fork arrest and genome instability. The ability of HARP to strand transfer hybrids may signify a hybrid removal function for this enzyme, in vivo.

Transcription reinitiation by RNA polymerase III

The retention of transcription proteins at an actively transcribed gene contributes to maintenance of the active transcriptional state and increases the rate of subsequent transcription cycles relative to the initial cycle. This process, called transcription reinitiation, generates the abundant RNAs in living cells. The persistence of stable preinitiation intermediates on activated genes representing at least a subset of basal transcription components has long been recognized as a shared feature of RNA polymerase (Pol) I, II and III-dependent transcription in eukaryotes. Studies of the Pol III transcription machinery and its target genes in eukaryotic genomes over the last fifteen years, has uncovered multiple details on transcription reinitiation. In addition to the basal transcription factors that recruit the polymerase, Pol III itself can be retained on the same gene through multiple transcription cycles by a facilitated recycling pathway. The molecular bases for facilitated recycling are progressively being revealed with advances in structural and functional studies. At the same time, progress in our understanding of Pol III transcriptional regulation in response to different environmental cues points to the specific mechanism of Pol III reinitiation as a key target of signaling pathway regulation of cell growth. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Transcription by Odd Pols.

In vitro targeting of strand transfer by the Ty3 retroelement integrase

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae long terminal repeat retrotransposon Ty3 integrates within one or two nucleotides of the transcription initiation sites of genes transcribed by RNA polymerase III. In this study the minimal components required to re-constitute position-specific strand transfer by Ty3 integrase are defined. Ty3 integrase targeted by a synthetic fusion of RNA polymerase III transcription factor IIIB subunits, Brf1 and TBP, mediated position-specific strand transfer of duplex oligonucleotides representing the ends of the Ty3 cDNA. These results further delimit the TFIIIB domains targeted by the Ty3 element and show that IN is the Ty3 component sufficient in vitro to target integration. These results underscore the commonality of protein interactions that mediate transcription and retrotransposon targeting. Surprisingly, in the presence of MnCl(2), strand transfer was TFIIIB-independent and targeted sequences resembling the Ty3 terminal inverted repeat.

Widespread occurrence of non-canonical transcription termination by human RNA polymerase III

Human RNA polymerase (Pol) III-transcribed genes are thought to share a simple termination signal constituted by four or more consecutive thymidine residues in the coding DNA strand, just downstream of the RNA 3′-end sequence. We found that a large set of human tRNA genes (tDNAs) do not display any T_≥4 stretch within 50 bp of 3′-flanking region. In vitro analysis of tDNAs with a distanced T_≥4 revealed the existence of non-canonical terminators resembling degenerate T_≥5 elements, which ensure significant termination but at the same time allow for the production of Pol III read-through pre-tRNAs with unusually long 3′ trailers. A panel of such non-canonical signals was found to direct transcription termination of unusual Pol III-synthesized viral pre-miRNA transcripts in gammaherpesvirus 68-infected cells. Genome-wide location analysis revealed that human Pol III tends to trespass into the 3′-flanking regions of tDNAs, as expected from extensive terminator read-through. The widespread occurrence of partial termination suggests that the Pol III primary transcriptome in mammals is unexpectedly enriched in 3′-trailer sequences with the potential to contribute novel functional ncRNAs.

Distinct promoter dynamics of the basal transcription factor TBP across the yeast genome

Transcription regulation in eukaryotes involves rapid recruitment and proper assembly of transcription factors at gene promoters. To determine the dynamics of the transcription machinery on DNA, we used a differential chromatin immunoprecipitation procedure coupled to whole-genome microarray detection in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We find that TATA-binding protein (TBP) turnover is low at RNA polymerase I (Pol I) promoters. Whereas RNA polymerase III (Pol III) promoters represent an intermediate case, TBP turnover is high at RNA polymerase II (Pol II) promoters. Within these promoters, the highest turnover correlates with binding of the Spt-Ada-Gcn5 acetyltransferase complex (SAGA) coactivator, Mot1p dependence and presence of a canonical TATA box. In contrast, slow turnover Pol II promoters depend on TFIID and on the gene-specific factor, Rap1p. Together this shows that TBP turnover is regulated by protein factors rather than DNA sequence and argues that TBP turnover is an important determinant in regulating gene expression.

Without a license, or accidents waiting to happen

This is a memoir of circumstances that have shaped my life as a scientist, some of the questions that have excited my interest, and some of the people with whom I have shared that pursuit. I was introduced to transcription soon after the discovery of RNA polymerase and have been fascinated by questions relating to gene regulation since that time. My account touches on early experiments dealing with the ability of RNA polymerase to selectively transcribe its DNA template. Temporal programs of transcription that control the multiplication cycles of viruses (phages) and the precise mechanisms generating this regulation have been a continuing source of fascination and new challenges. A longtime interest in eukaryotic RNA polymerase III has centered on yeast and on the enumeration and properties of its transcription initiation factors, the architecture of its promoter complexes, and the mechanism of transcriptional initiation. These areas of research are widely regarded as separate, but to my thinking they have posed similar questions, and I have been unwilling or unable to abandon either one for the other. An additional interest in archaeal transcription can be seen as stemming naturally from this point of view.

DNA protection by histone-like protein HU from the hyperthermophilic eubacterium Thermotoga maritima

In mesophilic prokaryotes, the DNA-binding protein HU participates in nucleoid organization as well as in regulation of DNA-dependent processes. Little is known about nucleoid organization in thermophilic eubacteria. We show here that HU from the hyperthermophilic eubacterium Thermotoga maritima HU bends DNA and constrains negative DNA supercoils in the presence of topoisomerase I. However, while binding to a single site occludes approximately 35 bp, association of T. maritima HU with DNA of sufficient length to accommodate multiple protomers results in an apparent shorter occluded site size. Such complexes consist of ordered arrays of protomers, as revealed by the periodicity of DNase I cleavage. Association of TmHU with plasmid DNA yields a complex that is remarkably resistant to DNase I-mediated degradation. TmHU is the only member of this protein family capable of occluding a 35 bp nonspecific site in duplex DNA; we propose that this property allows TmHU to form exceedingly stable associations in which DNA flanking the kinks is sandwiched between adjacent proteins. We suggest that T. maritima HU serves an architectural function when associating with a single 35 bp site, but generates a very stable and compact aggregate at higher protein concentrations that organizes and protects the genomic DNA.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNA polymerase III recruitment factor subunits Brf1 and Bdp1 impose a strict sequence preference for the downstream half of the TATA box

Association of the TATA-binding protein (TBP) with its cognate site within eukaryotic promoters is key to accurate and efficient transcriptional initiation. To achieve recruitment of Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNA polymerase III, TBP is associated with two additional factors, Brf1 and Bdp1, to form the initiation factor TFIIIB. Previous data have suggested that the structure or dynamics of the TBP–DNA complex may be altered upon entry of Brf1 and Bdp1 into the complex. We show here, using the altered specificity TBP mutant TBPm3 and an iterative in vitro selection assay, that entry of Brf1 and Bdp1 into the complex imposes a strict sequence preference for the downstream half of the TATA box. Notably, the selected sequence (TGTAAATA) is a perfect match to the TATA box of the RNA polymerase III-transcribed U6 small nuclear RNA (SNR6) gene. We suggest that the selected T•A base pair step at the downstream end of the 8 bp TBP site may provide a DNA flexure that promotes TFIIIB-DNA complex formation.

Mapping the Principal Interaction Site of the Brf1 and Bdp1 Subunits of Saccharomyces cerevisiae TFIIIB

The Brf1 subunit of the central RNA polymerase (pol) III transcription initiation factor TFIIIB is bipartite; its N-terminal TFIIB-related half is principally responsible for recruiting pol III to the promoter and for promoter opening near the transcriptional start site, whereas its pol III-specific C-terminal half contributes most of the affinities that hold the three subunits of TFIIIB together. Here, the principal attachment site of Brf1 for the Bdp1 subunit of TFIIIB has been mapped by a combination of structure-informed, site-directed mutagenesis and photochemical protein-DNA cross-linking. A 66-amino acid segment of Brf1 is shown to serve as a two-sided adhesive surface, with the side chains projecting away from its extended interface with TATA-binding protein anchoring Bdp1 binding. An extensive collection of N-terminal, C-terminal, and internal deletion proteins has been used to demarcate the interacting Bdp1 domain to a 66-amino acid segment that includes the SANT domain of this subunit and is phylogenetically the most conserved region of Bdp1.

Reconstitution of the yeast RNA polymerase III transcription system with all recombinant factors

Transcription factor TFIIIC is a multisubunit complex required for promoter recognition and transcriptional activation of class III genes. We describe here the reconstitution of complete recombinant yeast TFIIIC and the molecular characterization of its two DNA-binding domains, tauA and tauB, using the baculovirus expression system. The B block-binding module, rtauB, was reconstituted with rtau138, rtau91, and rtau60 subunits. rtau131, rtau95, and rtau55 formed also a stable complex, rtauA, that displayed nonspecific DNA binding activity. Recombinant rTFIIIC was functionally equivalent to purified yeast TFIIIC, suggesting that the six recombinant subunits are necessary and sufficient to reconstitute a transcriptionally active TFIIIC complex. The formation and the properties of rTFIIIC-DNA complexes were affected by dephosphorylation treatments. The combination of complete recombinant rTFIIIC and rTFIIIB directed a low level of basal transcription, much weaker than with the crude B'' fraction, suggesting the existence of auxiliary factors that could modulate the yeast RNA polymerase III transcription system.

Reconfiguring the connectivity of a multiprotein complex: fusions of yeast TATA-binding protein with Brf1, and the function of transcription factor IIIB

Transcription factor (TF) IIIB, the central transcription initiation factor of RNA polymerase III (pol III), is composed of three subunits, Bdp1, Brf1 and TATA-binding protein (TBP), all essential for normal function in vivo and in vitro. Brf1 is a modular protein: Its N-proximal half is related to TFIIB and binds similarly to the C-terminal stirrup of TBP; its C-proximal one-third provides most of the affinity for TBP by binding along the entire length of the convex surface and N-terminal lateral face of TBP. A structure-informed triple fusion protein, with TBP core placed between the N- and C-proximal domains of Brf1, has been constructed. The Brf1-TBP triple fusion protein effectively replaces both Brf1 and TBP in TFIIIC-dependent and -independent transcription in vitro, and forms extremely stable TFIIIB-DNA complexes that are indistinguishable from wild-type TFIIIB-DNA complexes by chemical nuclease footprinting. Unlike Brf1 and TBP, the triple fusion protein is able to recruit pol III for TATA box-directed transcription of linear and supercoiled DNA in the absence of Bdp1. The Brf1-TBP triple fusion protein also effectively replaces Brf1 function in vivo as the intact protein, creating a TBP paralogue in yeast that is privatized for pol III transcription.

Genome-wide occupancy profile of the RNA polymerase III machinery in Saccharomyces cerevisiae reveals loci with incomplete transcription complexes

We used chromatin immunoprecipitation, followed by microarray hybridization, to determine the genome-wide distribution of the RNA polymerase (Pol) III transcription apparatus in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The Pol III transcriptome includes all tRNA genes, previously identified non-tRNA Pol III genes, and SNR52, which encodes a small nucleolar RNA. Unexpectedly, we identify eight ETC loci that are occupied by TFIIIC but not by other components of the Pol III machinery. Some ETC loci contain stretches of DNA that are highly conserved among closely related yeast species, suggesting that they may encode functional RNAs. ETC6 is located upstream of the gene encoding the tau 91 subunit of TFIIIC, suggesting the possibility of Pol III-regulated expression of a critical Pol III factor. We also identify the ZOD1 locus, which is bound by all components of the Pol III machinery and yet does not appear to express an RNA conserved among closely related yeast species. The B block motifs and several flanking nucleotides of the ZOD1 and ETC loci are very similar to each other and are highly conserved across the yeast species. Furthermore, the unusual profile of Pol III factor association with ZOD1 and the ETC loci is perfectly preserved in a different Saccharomyces species, indicating that these loci represent novel functional entities.

Analysis of the 5S rRNA gene promoter from Acanthamoeba castellanii

The promoter region of the Acanthamoeba 5S rRNA gene was analysed by in vitro transcription of several 5' and 3' deletion and substitution mutants, as well as a series of linker scanning mutants. The promoter consists of three sequence regions contained entirely within the gene; two of these correspond to the A and C boxes that bind TFIIIA, found in the genes from other genera. In addition, a region immediately 3' to the transcription start site has a strong effect on initiation efficiency. No strict requirement was found for specific sequences 5' to the transcription start site. Substitution of a consensus TATA box at -29 had only a modest effect on transcription, and deletion or substitution of sequences between -15 and -10 as well as -34 and -21 was only modestly more active than the wild-type template. Analysis of 3' deletions sets the 3' end-point of the promoter between +79 and +97, and demonstrates the importance of a T-rich region in transcription termination. Taken together, these results suggest that promoter elements within the Acanthamoeba 5S RNA gene are somewhat redundant, with the exception of a sequence between +50 and +60, which functions in binding TFIIIA. Remarkably, polymerase chain reaction product templates containing only non-specific 5' ends between -6 and +1 relative to the transcription start site are fully functional, demonstrating that no external DNA scaffold is needed for TFIIIB and RNA polymerase III binding, and that productive initiation can be mediated solely by protein-DNA interactions within the coding region of the 5S gene.

A common site on TBP for transcription by RNA polymerases II and III

The TATA-binding protein (TBP) is involved in all nuclear transcription. We show that a common site on TBP is used for transcription initiation complex formation by RNA polymerases (pols) II and III. TBP, the transcription factor IIB (TFIIB)-related factor Brf1 and the pol III-specific factor Bdp1 constitute TFIIIB. A photochemical cross-linking approach was used to survey a collection of human TBP surface residue mutants for their ability to form TFIIIB-DNA complexes reliant on only the TFIIB-related part of Brf1. Mutations impairing complex formation and transcription were identified and mapped on the surface of TBP. The most severe effects were observed for mutations in the C-terminal stirrup of TBP, which is the principal site of interaction between TBP and TFIIB. Structural modeling of the Brf1-TBP complex and comparison with its TFIIB-TBP analog further rationalizes the close resemblance of the TBP interaction with the N-proximal part of Brf1 and TFIIB, and establishes the conserved usage of a TBP surface in pol II and pol III transcription for a conserved function in the initiation of transcription.

Genome-wide location of yeast RNA polymerase III transcription machinery

RNA polymerase III (Pol III) transcribes a large set of genes encoding small untranslated RNAs like tRNAs, 5S rRNA, U6 snRNA or RPR1 RNA. To get a global view of class III (Pol III-transcribed) genes, the distribution of essential components of Pol III, TFIIIC and TFIIIB was mapped across the yeast genome. During active growth, most class III genes and few additional loci were targeted by TFIIIC, TFIIIB and Pol III, indicating that they were transcriptionally active. SNR52, which encodes a snoRNA, was identified as a new class III gene. During the late growth phase, TFIIIC remained bound to most class III genes while the recruitment of Pol III and, to a lesser extent, of TFIIIB was down regulated. This study fixes a reasonable upper bound to the number of class III genes in yeast and points to a global regulation at the level of Pol III and TFIIIB recruitment.

The role of transcription initiation factor IIIB subunits in promoter opening probed by photochemical cross-linking

The core transcription initiation factor (TF) IIIB recruits its conjugate RNA polymerase (pol) III to the promoter and also plays an essential role in promoter opening. TFIIIB assembled with certain deletion mutants of its Brf1 and Bdp1 subunits is competent in pol III recruitment, but the resulting preinitiation complex does not open the promoter. Whether Brf1 and Bdp1 participate in opening the promoter by direct DNA interaction (as sigma subunits of bacterial RNA polymerases do) or indirectly by their action on pol III has been approached by site-specific photochemical protein-DNA cross-linking of TFIIIB-pol III-U6 RNA gene promoter complexes. Brf1, Bdp1, and several pol III subunits can be cross-linked to the nontranscribed strand of the U6 promoter at base pair -9/-8 and +2/+3 (relative to the transcriptional start as +1), respectively the upstream and downstream ends of the DNA segment that opens up into the transcription bubble. Cross-linking of Bdp1 and Brf1 is detected at 0 degrees C in closed preinitiation complexes and at 30 degrees C in complexes that are partly open, but also it is detected in mutant TFIIIB-pol III-DNA complexes that are unable to open the promoter. In contrast, promoter opening-defective TFIIIB mutants generate significant changes of cross-linking of polymerase subunits. The weight of this evidence argues in favor of an indirect mode of action of TFIIIB in promoter opening.

The fission yeast TFIIB-related factor limits RNA polymerase III to a TATA-dependent pathway of TBP recruitment

The RNA polymerase (pol) III-transcribed (e.g. tRNA and 5S rRNA) genes of traditionally studied organisms rely on gene-internal promoters that precisely position the initiation factor, TFIIIB, on the upstream promoter-less DNA. This is accomplished by the ability of the TFIIIB subunit, TFIIB-related factor (Brf1), to make stable protein-protein interactions with TATA-binding protein (TBP) and place it on the promoter-less upstream DNA. Unlike traditional model organisms, Schizosaccharomyces pombe tRNA and 5S rRNA genes contain upstream TATA promoters that are required to program functional pol III initiation complexes. In this study we demonstrate that S.pombe (Sp)Brf does not form stable interactions with TBP in the absence of DNA using approaches that do reveal stable association of TBP and S.cerevisiae (Sc)Brf1. Gel mobility analyses demonstrate that a TBP-TATA DNA complex can recruit SpBrf to a Pol III promoter. Consistent with this, overproduction of SpBrf in S.pombe increases the expression of a TATA-dependent, but not a TATA-less, suppressor tRNA gene. Since previous whole genome analysis also revealed TATA elements upstream of tRNA genes in Arabidopsis, this pathway may be more widespread than appreciated previously.

A single-stranded promoter for RNA polymerase III

Single strands of DNA serve, in rare instances, as promoters for transcription; duplex DNA promoters with individual strands that also have a promoter capacityfunction have not been described. We show that the nontranscribed strand of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae U6 snRNA gene directs transcription initiation factor IIIB-requiring and accurately initiating transcription by RNA polymerase III. The nontranscribed strand promoter is much more extended than its duplex DNA counterpart, comprising the U6 gene TATA box, a downstream T(7) tract, and an upstream-lying segment. A requirement for placement of the 3' end of the transcribed (template) strand within the confines of the transcription bubble is seen as indicating that the nontranscribed strand provides a scaffold for RNA polymerase recruitment but is deficient at a subsequent step of transcription initiation factor IIIB's direct involvement in promoter opening.

Mot1 associates with transcriptionally active promoters and inhibits association of NC2 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Mot1 stably associates with the TATA-binding protein (TBP), and it can dissociate TBP from DNA in an ATP-dependent manner. Mot1 acts as a negative regulator of TBP function in vitro, but genome-wide transcriptional profiling suggests that Mot1 positively affects about 10% of yeast genes and negatively affects about 5%. Unexpectedly, Mot1 associates with active RNA polymerase (Pol) II and III promoters, and it is rapidly recruited in response to activator proteins. At Pol II promoters, Mot1 association requires TBP and is strongly correlated with the level of TBP occupancy. However, the Mot1/TBP occupancy ratio at both Mot1-stimulated and Mot1-inhibited promoters is high relative to that at typical promoters, strongly suggesting that Mot1 directly affects transcriptional activity in a positive or negative manner, depending on the gene. The effect of Mot1 at the HIS3 promoter region depends on the functional quality and DNA sequence of the TATA element. Unlike TBP, Mot1 association is largely independent of the Srb4 component of Pol II holoenzyme, and it also can occur downstream of the promoter region. Mot1 removes TBP, but not TBP complexes or preinitiation complexes, from inappropriate genomic locations. Mot1 inhibits the association of NC2 with promoters, suggesting that the TBP-Mot1 and TBP-NC2 complexes compete for promoter occupancy in vivo. We speculate that Mot1 does not form transcriptionally active TBP complexes but rather regulates transcription in vivo by modulating the activity of free TBP and/or by affecting promoter DNA structure.

Mutational analysis of the transcription factor IIIB-DNA target of Ty3 retroelement integration

The Ty3 retrovirus-like element inserts preferentially at the transcription initiation sites of genes transcribed by RNA polymerase III. The requirements for transcription factor (TF) IIIC and TFIIIB in Ty3 integration into the two initiation sites of the U6 gene carried on pU6LboxB were previously examined. Ty3 integrates at low but detectable frequencies in the presence of TFIIIB subunits Brf1 and TATA-binding protein. Integration increases in the presence of the third subunit, Bdp1. TFIIIC is not essential, but the presence of TFIIIC specifies an orientation of TFIIIB for transcriptional initiation and directs integration to the U6 gene-proximal initiation site. In the current study, recombinant wild type TATA-binding protein, wild type and mutant Brf1, and Bdp1 proteins and highly purified TFIIIC were used to investigate the roles of specific protein domains in Ty3 integration. The amino-terminal half of Brf1, which contains a TFIIB-like repeat, contributed more strongly than the carboxyl-terminal half of Brf1 to Ty3 targeting. Each half of Bdp1 split at amino acid 352 enhanced integration. In the presence of TFIIIB and TFIIIC, the pattern of integration extended downstream by several base pairs compared with the pattern observed in vitro in the absence of TFIIIC and in vivo, suggesting that TFIIIC may not be present on genes targeted by Ty3 in vivo. Mutations in Bdp1 that affect its interaction with TFIIIC resulted in TFIIIC-independent patterns of Ty3 integration. Brf1 zinc ribbon and Bdp1 internal deletion mutants that are competent for polymerase III recruitment but defective in promoter opening were competent for Ty3 integration irrespective of the state of DNA supercoiling. These results extend the similarities between the TFIIIB domains required for transcription and Ty3 integration and also reveal requirements that are specific to transcription.

Marking the start site of RNA polymerase III transcription: the role of constraint, compaction and continuity of the transcribed DNA strand

The effects of breaks in the individual strands of an RNA polymerase III promoter on initiation of transcription have been examined. Single breaks have been introduced at 2 bp intervals in a 24 bp segment that spans the transcriptional start site of the U6 snRNA gene promoter. Their effects on transcription are asymmetrically distributed: transcribed (template) strand breaks downstream of bp-14 (relative to the normal start as +1) systematically shift the start site, evidently by disrupting the normal mechanism that measures distance from DNA-bound TBP. Breaks placed close to the normal start site very strongly inhibit transcription. Breaks in the non-transcribed strand generate only minor effects on transcription. A structure-based model interprets these observations and explains how the transcribed strand is used to locate the transcriptional start site.

BRFU, a TFIIB-like factor, is directly recruited to the TATA-box of polymerase III small nuclear RNA gene promoters through its interaction with TATA-binding protein

The human snRNA genes transcribed by RNA polymerase II (pol II) and III (pol III) have different core promoter elements. Both gene types contain similar proximal sequence elements (PSEs) but differ in the absence (pol II) or presence (pol III) of a TATA-box, which, together with the PSE, determines the assembly of a pol III-specific pre-initiation complex. BRFU is a factor exclusively required for transcription of the pol III-type snRNA genes. We report that recruitment of BRFU to the TATA-box of these promoters is TATA-binding protein (TBP)-dependent. BRFU in turn stabilizes TBP on TATA-containing template and extends the TBP footprint both upstream and downstream of the TATA element. The core domain of TBP is sufficient for BRFU.TBP.DNA complex formation and for interaction with BRFU off the template. We have mapped amino acid residues within TBP and domains of BRFU that mediate this interaction. BRFU has no specificity for sequences flanking the TATA-box and also forms a stable complex on the TATA-box of the pol II-specific adenovirus major late promoter (AdMLP). Furthermore, pol III-type transcription can initiate from an snRNA gene promoter containing an AdMLP TATA-box and flanking sequences. Therefore, the polymerase recruitment is not simply determined by the sequence of the TATA-box and immediate flanking sequences.

A novel upstream RNA polymerase III promoter element becomes essential when the chromatin structure of the yeast U6 RNA gene is altered

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae U6 RNA gene, SNR6, possesses upstream sequences that allow productive binding in vitro of the RNA polymerase III (Pol III) transcription initiation factor IIIB (TFIIIB) in the absence of TFIIIC or other assembly factors. TFIIIC-independent transcription of SNR6 in vitro is highly sensitive to point mutations in a consensus TATA box at position -30. In contrast, the TATA box is dispensable for SNR6 transcription in vivo, apparently because TFIIIC bound to the intragenic A block and downstream B block can recruit TFIIIB via protein-protein interactions. A mutant allele of SNR6 with decreased spacing between the A and B blocks, snr6-Delta42, exhibits increased dependence on the upstream sequences in vivo. Unexpectedly, we find that in vivo expression of snr6-Delta42 is much more sensitive to mutations in a (dT-dA)(7) tract between the TATA box and transcription start site than to mutations in the TATA box itself. Inversion of single base pairs in the center of the dT-dA tract nearly abolishes transcription of snr6-Delta42, yet inversion of all 7 base pairs has little effect on expression, indicating that the dA-dT tract is relatively orientation independent. Although it is within the TFIIIB footprint, point mutations in the dT-dA tract do not inhibit TFIIIB binding or TFIIIC-independent transcription of SNR6 in vitro. In the absence of the chromatin architectural protein Nhp6, dT-dA tract mutations are lethal even when A-to-B block spacing is wild type. We conclude that the (dT-dA)(7) tract and Nhp6 cooperate to direct productive transcription complex assembly on SNR6 in vivo.

Widespread use of TATA elements in the core promoters for RNA polymerases III, II, and I in fission yeast

In addition to directing transcription initiation, core promoters integrate input from distal regulatory elements. Except for rare exceptions, it has been generally found that eukaryotic tRNA and rRNA genes do not contain TATA promoter elements and instead use protein-protein interactions to bring the TATA-binding protein (TBP), to the core promoter. Genomewide analysis revealed TATA elements in the core promoters of tRNA and 5S rRNA (Pol III), U1 to U5 snRNA (Pol II), and 37S rRNA (Pol I) genes in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Using tRNA-dependent suppression and other in vivo assays, as well as in vitro transcription, we demonstrated an obligatory requirement for upstream TATA elements for tRNA and 5S rRNA expression in S. pombe. The Pol III initiation factor Brf is found in complexes with TFIIIC and Pol III in S. pombe, while TBP is not, consistent with independent recruitment of TBP by TATA. Template commitment assays are consistent with this and confirm that the mechanisms of transcription complex assembly and initiation by Pol III in S. pombe differ substantially from those in other model organisms. The results were extended to large-rRNA synthesis, as mutation of the TATA element in the Pol I promoter also abolishes rRNA expression in fission yeast. A survey of other organisms' genomes reveals that a substantial number of eukaryotes may use widespread TATAs for transcription. These results indicate the presence of TATA-unified transcription systems in contemporary eukaryotes and provide insight into the residual need for TBP by all three Pols in other eukaryotes despite a lack of TATA elements in their promoters.

The RNA polymerase III transcription initiation factor TFIIIB participates in two steps of promoter opening

Evidence for post-recruitment functions of yeast transcription factor (TF)IIIB in initiation of transcription was first provided by the properties of TFIIIB-RNA polymerase III-promoter complexes assembled with deletion mutants of its Brf and B" subunits that are transcriptionally inactive because they fail to open the promoter. The experiments presented here show that these defects can be repaired by unpairing short (3 or 5 bp) DNA segments spanning the transcription bubble of the open promoter complex. Analysis of this suppression phenomenon indicates that TFIIIB participates in two steps of promoter opening by RNA polymerase III that are comparable to the successive steps of promoter opening by bacterial RNA polymerase holoenzyme. B" deletions between amino acids 355 and 421 interfere with the initiating step of DNA strand separation at the upstream end of the transcription bubble. Removing an N-terminal domain of Brf interferes with downstream propagation of the transcription bubble to and beyond the transcriptional start site.

Yeast NC2 associates with the RNA polymerase II preinitiation complex and selectively affects transcription in vivo

NC2 (Dr1-Drap1 or Bur6-Ydr1) has been characterized in vitro as a general negative regulator of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcription that interacts with TATA-binding protein (TBP) and inhibits its function. Here, we show that NC2 associates with promoters in vivo in a manner that correlates with transcriptional activity and with occupancy by basal transcription factors. NC2 rapidly associates with promoters in response to transcriptional activation, and it remains associated under conditions in which transcription is blocked after assembly of the Pol II preinitiation complex. NC2 positively and negatively affects approximately 17% of Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes in a pattern that resembles the response to general environmental stress. Relative to TBP, NC2 occupancy is high at promoters where NC2 is positively required for normal levels of transcription. Thus, NC2 is associated with the Pol II preinitiation complex, and it can play a direct and positive role at certain promoters in vivo.

The Brf and TATA-binding protein subunits of the RNA polymerase III transcription factor IIIB mediate position-specific integration of the gypsy-like element, Ty3

Ty3 integrates into the transcription initiation sites of genes transcribed by RNA polymerase III. It is known that transcription factors (TF) IIIB and IIIC are important for recruiting Ty3 to its sites of integration upstream of tRNA genes, but that RNA polymerase III is not required. In order to investigate the respective roles of TFIIIB and TFIIIC, we have developed an in vitro integration assay in which Ty3 is targeted to the U6 small nuclear RNA gene, SNR6. Because TFIIIB can bind to the TATA box upstream of the U6 gene through contacts mediated by TATA-binding protein (TBP), TFIIIC is dispensable for in vitro transcription. Thus, this system offers an opportunity to test the role of TFIIIB independent of a requirement of TFIIIC. We demonstrate that the recombinant Brf and TBP subunits of TFIIIB, which interact over the SNR6 TATA box, direct integration at the SNR6 transcription initiation site in the absence of detectable TFIIIC or TFIIIB subunit B". These findings suggest that the minimal requirements for pol III transcription and Ty3 integration are very similar.

Alternatively spliced hBRF variants function at different RNA polymerase III promoters

In yeast, a single form of TFIIIB is required for transcription of all RNA polymerase III (pol III) genes. It consists of three subunits: the TATA box-binding protein (TBP), a TFIIB-related factor, BRF, and B". Human TFIIIB is not as well defined and human pol III promoters differ in their requirements for this activity. A human homolog of yeast BRF was shown to be required for transcription at the gene-internal 5S and VA1 promoters. Whether or not it was also involved in transcription from the gene-external human U6 promoter was unclear. We have isolated cDNAs encoding alternatively spliced forms of human BRF that can complex with TBP. Using immunopurified complexes containing the cloned hBRFs, we show that while hBRF1 functions at the 5S, VA1, 7SL and EBER2 promoters, a different variant, hBRF2, is required at the human U6 promoter. Thus, pol III utilizes different TFIIIB complexes at structurally distinct promoters.

TFIIIC-independent in vitro transcription of yeast tRNA genes

The most peculiar transcriptional property of eukaryotic tRNA genes, as well as of other genes served by RNA polymerase III, is their complete dependence on the intragenic interaction platform provided by transcription factor IIIC (TFIIIC) for the productive assembly of the TBP-containing initiation factor TFIIIB. The sole exception, in yeast, is the U6 RNA gene, which is able to exploit a TATAAATA element, 30 bp upstream of the transcription start site, for the TFIIIC-independent assembly of TFIIIB. To find out whether this extragenic core promoter organization and autonomous TFIIIB assembly capacity are unique features of the U6 gene or also apply to other genes transcribed by RNA polymerase III, we scanned the 5'-flanking regions (up to position -100) of the entire tRNA gene set of Saccharomyces cerevisiae searching for U6-like TATA motifs. Four tRNA genes harboring such a sequence motif around position -30 were identified and found to be transcribed in vitro by a minimal system only composed of TFIIIB and RNA polymerase III. In this system, start site selection is not at all affected by the absence of TFIIIC, which, when added, significantly stimulates transcription by determining an increase in the number, rather than in the efficiency of utilization, of productive initiation complexes. A specific TBP-TATA element interaction is absolutely required for TFIIIC-independent transcription, but the nearby sequence context also contributes to the efficiency of autonomous TFIIIB assembly. The existence of a TFIIIB assembly pathway leading to the faithful transcription of natural eukaryotic tRNA genes in the absence of TFIIIC provides novel insights into the functional flexibility of the eukaryotic tRNA gene transcription machinery and on its evolution from an ancestral RNA polymerase III system relying on upstream, TATA- centered control elements.

TATA-Binding protein-TATA interaction is a key determinant of differential transcription of silkworm constitutive and silk gland-specific tRNA(Ala) genes

We have investigated the contribution of specific TATA-binding protein (TBP)-TATA interactions to the promoter activity of a constitutively expressed silkworm tRNA(C)(Ala) gene and have also asked whether the lack of similar interactions accounts for the low promoter activity of a silk gland-specific tRNA(SG)(Ala) gene. We compared TBP binding, TFIIIB-promoter complex stability (measured by heparin resistance), and in vitro transcriptional activity in a series of mutant tRNA(C)(Ala) promoters and found that specific TBP-TATA contacts are important for TFIIIB-promoter interaction and for transcriptional activity. Although the wild-type tRNA(C)(Ala) promoter contains two functional TBP binding sequences that overlap, the tRNA(SG)(Ala) promoter lacks any TBP binding site in the corresponding region. This feature appears to account for the inefficiency of the tRNA(SG)(Ala) promoter since provision of either of the wild-type TATA sequences derived from the tRNA(C)(Ala) promoter confers robust transcriptional activity. Transcriptional impairment of the wild-type tRNA(SG)(Ala) gene is not due to reduced incorporation of TBP into transcription complexes since both the tRNA(C)(Ala) and tRNA(SG)(Ala) promoters form transcription complexes that contain the same amount of TBP. Thus, the deleterious consequences of the lack of appropriate TBP-TATA contacts in the tRNA(SG)(Ala) promoter must come from failure to incorporate some other essential transcription factor(s) or to stabilize the complete complex in an active conformation.

A subunit of yeast TFIIIC participates in the recruitment of TATA-binding protein

TFIIIC plays a key role in nucleating the assembly of the initiation factor TFIIIB on class III genes. We have characterized an essential gene, TFC8, encoding the 60-kDa polypeptide, tau60, present in affinity-purified TFIIIC. Hemagglutinin-tagged variants of tau60 were found to be part of TFIIIC-tDNA complexes and to reside at least in part in the downstream DNA-binding domain tauB. Unexpectedly, the thermosensitive phenotype of N-terminally tagged tau60 was suppressed by overexpression of tau95, which belongs to the tauA domain, and by two TFIIIB components, TATA-binding protein (TBP) and B"/TFIIIB90 (but not by TFIIIB70). Mutant TFIIIC was deficient in the activation of certain tRNA genes in vitro, and the transcription defect was selectively alleviated by increasing TBP concentration. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments support a direct interaction between TBP and tau60. It is suggested that tau60 links tauA and tauB domains and participates in TFIIIB assembly via its interaction with TBP.

Alignment of the B" subunit of RNA polymerase III transcription factor IIIB in its promoter complex

TFIIIB, the central transcription initiation factor of the eukaryotic nuclear RNA polymerase (pol) III is composed of three subunits: the TATA-binding protein; Brf, the TFIIB-related subunit; and B", the Saccharomyces cerevisiae, TFC5 gene product. The orientation of the B" subunit within the TFIIIB-DNA complex has been analyzed at two promoters by two approaches that involve site-specific photochemical protein-DNA cross-linking: a collection of B" internal and external deletion proteins has been surveyed for those deletions that alter the interaction of B" with DNA or change the orientation of B" relative to DNA; a method for regionally mapping cross-links between specific DNA sites and (32)P-end-labeled protein has also been applied. The results map an N-proximal segment of B" to the upstream end of the TFIIIB-DNA complex and amino acids 299-315 to the principal DNA-contact site, approximately 8 base pairs upstream of the TATA box. The analysis also indicates that a segment comprising amino acids 316-434 loops away from DNA, and locates the C-proximal 170 amino acids of B" downstream of the TATA box. Examination of two-cross-link products formed by DNA with adjacent and nearby photoactive nucleotides supports the conclusion that Brf and B" share an extended interface along the length of the TFIIIB-DNA complex.

Spatial organization of the core region of yeast TFIIIB-DNA complexes

The interaction of yeast TFIIIB with the region upstream of the SUP4 tRNATyr gene was extensively probed by use of photoreactive phosphodiesters, deoxyuridines, and deoxycytidines that are site specifically incorporated into DNA. The TATA binding protein (TBP) was found to be in close proximity to the minor groove of a TATA-like DNA sequence that starts 30 nucleotides upstream of the start site of transcription. TBP was cross-linked to the phosphate backbone of DNA from bp -30 to -20 in the nontranscribed strand and from bp -28 to -24 in the transcribed strand (+1 denotes the start site of transcription). Most of the major groove of DNA in this region was shown not to be in close proximity to TBP, thus resembling the binding of TBP to the TATA box, with one notable exception. TBP was shown to interact with the major groove of DNA primarily at bp -23 and to a lesser degree at bp -25 in the transcribed strand. The stable interaction of TBP with the major groove at bp -23 was shown to require the B" subunit of TFIIIB. The S4 helix and flanking region of TBP were shown to be proximal to the major groove of DNA by peptide mapping of the region of TBP cross-linked at bp -23. Thus, TBP in the TFIIIB-SUP4 gene promoter region is bound in the same direction as TBP bound to the TATA box with respect to the transcription start site. The B" and TFIIB-related factor (BRF) subunits of TFIIIB are positioned on opposite sides of the TBP-DNA core of the TFIIIB complex, as indicated by correlation of cross-linking data to the crystal structure of the TBP-TATA box complex. Evidence is given for BRF binding near the C-terminal stirrup of TBP, similar to that of TFIIB near the TBP-TATA box complex. The protein clamp formed around the TBP-DNA complex by BRF and B" would help explain the long half-life of the TFIIIB-DNA complex and its resistance to polyanions and high salt. The path of DNA traversing the surface of TBP at the 3' end of the TATA-like element in the SUP4 tRNA gene is not the same as that of TBP bound to a TATA box element, as shown by the cross-linking of TBP at bp -23.

The RNA polymerase III-recruiting factor TFIIIB induces a DNA bend between the TATA box and the transcriptional start site

TFIIIB, the RNA polymerase III-recruiting factor of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, may be assembled upstream of the transcriptional start site, either through the interaction of its constituent TATA-binding protein (TBP) with a strong TATA-box, or by means of the multisubunit assembly factor, TFIIIC. Missing nucleoside interference analysis of TFIIIC-dependent TFIIIB-DNA complex formation revealed enhanced complex formation at 0 degreesC when the DNA is missing nucleosides in two broad 7-10 bp regions centered around base-pairs -17 and -3 relative to the transcriptional start site; no effect of missing nucleosides was evident at 20 degreesC. The implication of these results for required DNA flexure in TFIIIC-mediated TFIIIB-DNA complex formation was pursued in a TFIIIC-independent context, using DNA with a suboptimal 6 bp TATA box (TATAAA). A unique missing nucleoside at the downstream end of the TATA box, corresponding to the position of one of two TBP-mediated DNA kinks, significantly enhances TBP-DNA complex formation. In contrast, TFIIIB displays a broad preference for missing nucleosides within an approximately 15 bp region immediately downstream of the TATA box. Consecutive mismatches (4-nt loops), either at the sites of TBP-mediated DNA kinking at both ends of the TATA box or within the identified region where missing nucleosides promote TFIIIB-DNA complex formation, also result in enhanced and specific TFIIIB assembly; 4-nt loops further downstream do not lead to preferential placement of TFIIIB. We conclude that TFIIIB induces an additional DNA deformation between the TATA box and the start site of transcription that is likely to be more extended than the sharp kinks generated by TBP.

hTFIIIB-beta stably binds to pol II promoters and recruits RNA polymerase III in a hTFIIIC1 dependent way

It has been shown that under specific conditions, transcription of protein coding genes can be efficiently initiated by RNA polymerase (pol) III in vitro. We examined the formation and composition of such pol III transcription complexes on the duck histone H5 and alphaA-globin promoters and found that the essential step for the formation of pol III transcription complexes on these pol II promoters was the stable binding of transcription factor (TF) IIIB-beta. For this process, the intact TFIIIB-beta complex, consisting of TBP and associated factors (TAFs) was needed and the prior association of pol III assembly factors was not necessary. We demonstrate for the first time that hTFIIIB-beta alone is able to bind to pol II promoter DNA. This resulted in a very stable complex which was resistant to high concentrations of heparin. Although immunodepletion revealed that TBP is essentially required for complex formation, other components of hTFIIIB-beta must also be involved, since TBP itself is unable to form heparin-resistant complexes and does not mediate pol III commitment per se. pol III is recruited to these pol II promoters in a strictly TFIIIC1 dependent way. After binding of TFIIIB-beta, the addition of TFIIIC1 and pol III were sufficient to yield productive pol III transcription complexes, which utilized the correct pol II initiation site. From these findings, we postulate that TFIIIC1 is involved in the recruitment of pol III and may thus form a bridge between TFIIIB-beta and the enzyme. This finding provides the first evidence for functional contacts between TFIIIC1 and pol III, which could be of general importance for the assembly of pol III transcription complexes.

Affinity, stability and polarity of binding of the TATA binding protein governed by flexure at the TATA Box

The TATA binding protein (TBP), which plays a central role in gene regulation as an essential component of all three nuclear transcription systems, sharply kinks the TATA box at two sites and severely contorts the intervening DNA segment. DNA constructs with precisely localized flexure have been used to investigate the special repertoire of mechanisms and properties that arise from TBP interacting with the TATA box. DNA flexure precisely localized to the sites of TBP-mediated DNA kinking increases the affinity of TBP more than 100-fold; unexpectedly, this increase in affinity is achieved almost exclusively by increasing the stability of the TBP-DNA complex rather than the rate of its formation. In vitro transcription with RNA polymerase III provides a first demonstration that the orientation of TBP on the TATA box is governed by DNA deformability, its C-proximal repeat contacting the more flexible end of the TATA box. Exceptionally stable TBP-DNA complexes reach their orientational equilibrium very slowly; in these circumstances, assembly of stable ("committed") transcription initiation complexes can freeze far-from-equilibrium orientations of TBP on the TATA box, causing transcription polarity to be determined by a kinetic trapping mechanism.

Functional and structural organization of Brf, the TFIIB-related component of the RNA polymerase III transcription initiation complex

Brf is the TFIIB-related component of Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNA polymerase III transcription initiation factor IIIB (TFIIIB). An extensive set of Brf fragments has been examined for the abilities to assemble the TFIIIB-DNA complex and recruit RNA polymerase III to accurately initiate transcription. The principal TFIIIB-assembly function of Brf was found to be contributed by a C-proximal segment spanning amino acids 435 to 545, while the principal transcription-directing function was contributed by a segment of its N-proximal, TFIIB-homologous half. The diverse activities of Brf were also reconstituted from combined fragments. The fragments spanning amino acids 1 to 282 and 284 to 596 were found to assemble into TFIIIB-DNA and TFIIIC-TFIIIB-DNA complexes that were very stable, transcriptionally highly active, and indistinguishable (by in vitro footprinting) from complexes formed with intact Brf. The proximities of the individual halves of split Brf to DNA were extensively mapped by photochemical cross-linking of the TFIIIB-DNA complex. We also identified sites of interaction of Brf fragments with TATA-binding protein (TBP), taking advantage of a recently completed mutational analysis of the TBP surface. The constraints established by these analyses specify a global model of the functional segments of Brf and how they fit into the structure of the TFIIIB-DNA complex.

A post-recruitment function for the RNA polymerase III transcription-initiation factor IIIB

Transcription factor (TF) IIIB, which directs RNA polymerase (pol) III to its promoters, is made up of three components: the TATA box-binding protein, the TFIIB-related Brf, and the pol III-specific B". Certain mutations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Brf and B" retain TFIIIB transcription factor activity with supercoiled DNA but are inactive with linear duplex DNA. Further analysis shows that these inactive TFIIIB-DNA complexes bind pol III and position it appropriately over the transcriptional start site but do not form DNA strand-separated open promoter complexes. It is proposed that the normal function of TFIIIB combines pol III recruitment with an active role in a subsequent step of transcriptional initiation leading to promoter opening.

Autoregulation of eukaryotic transcription factors

The structures of several promoters regulating the expression of eukaryotic transcription factors have in recent years been examined. In many cases there is good evidence for autoregulation, in which a given factor binds to its own promoter and either activates or represses transcription. Autoregulation occurs in all eukaryotes and is an important component in controlling expression of basal, cell cycle specific, inducible response and cell type-specific factors. The basal factors are autoregulatory, being strictly necessary for their own expression, and as such must be epigenetically inherited. Autoregulation of stimulus response factors typically serves to amplify cellular signals transiently and also to attenuate the response whether or not a given inducer remains. Cell cycle-specific transcription factors are positively and negatively autoregulatory, but this frequently depends on interlocking circuits among family members. Autoregulation of cell type-specific factors results in a form of cellular memory that can contribute, or define, a determined state. Autoregulation of transcription factors provides a simple circuitry, useful in many cellular circumstances, that does not require the involvement of additional factors, which, in turn, would need to be subject to another hierarchy of regulation. Autoregulation additionally can provide a direct means to sense and control the cellular conce]ntration of a given factor. However, autoregulatory loops are often dependent on cellular pathways that create the circumstances under which autoregulation occurs.

A differential response of wild type and mutant promoters to TFIIIB70 overexpression in vivo and in vitro

TFIIIB, the initiation factor for transcription by RNA polymerase III (pol III) is, in yeast, composed of three subunits: TBP, TFIIIB70/Brf1 and TFIIIB90. To determine the extent to which each of these subunits is limiting for pol III transcription, the effect of overexpressing each subunit was assessed on the expression of wild-type and promoter mutant pol III genes both in vivo and in vitro . In vivo , we find that the synthesis of wild-type pol III genes is not limited to a significant extent by the level of any TFIIIB subunit. There is, however, a two-fold increase in the synthesis of the promoter mutant gene, sup9-e A19-supS1 , in strains overexpressing TFIIIB70. The findings suggest that overexpression of TFIIIB70has a differential effect on the expression of pol III genes with strong versus weak promoters. In vitro transcription assays support this conclusion and reveal an inverse correlation between the transcriptional response to TFIIIB70overexpression and promoter strength. The individual TFIIIB subunits are nuclear by immunofluorescence and are calculated to have nuclear concentrations in the low micromolar range. In comparison, the factors are diluted 100-fold or more in whole cell extracts. This dilution accounts for the generally limiting nature of TFIIIB70in pol III gene transcription in vitro.

Polymerase (Pol) III TATA box-binding protein (TBP)-associated factor Brf binds to a surface on TBP also required for activated Pol II transcription

The TATA box-binding protein (TBP) plays an essential role in transcription by all three eukaryotic nuclear RNA polymerases, polymerases (Pol) I, II, and III. In each case, TBP interacts with class-specific TBP-associated factors (TAFs) to form class-specific transcription initiation factors. For yeast Pol III transcription, TBP associates with Brf (from TFIIB-related factor) and B", two Pol III TAFs, to form Pol III transcription factor TFIIIB. Here, we identify TBP surface residues that are required for interaction with yeast Pol III TAFs. Ninety-one human TBP surface residue mutants with radical substitutions were analyzed for the ability to form stable gel shift complexes with purified Brf and B" and for their activities for in vitro synthesis of yeast U6 snRNA. Mutations in a large positively charged epitope extending from the top (that is, on the surface opposite the DNA-facing "saddle" of TBP) and onto the side of the first TBP repeat inhibited binding to Brf (residues K181, L185, R186, E206, R231, L232, R235, K236, R239, Q242, K243, K249, and F250). A triple-mutant TBP (R231E + R235E + R239S) had greatly reduced activity for yeast U6 snRNA gene transcription while remaining active for Pol II basal transcription. Similar results were observed when selected mutations were introduced into yeast TBP at equivalent positions. A C-terminal fragment of Brf lacking the region of homology with TFIIB retains the ability to bind TBP-DNA complexes (G. Kassavetis, C. Bardeleben, A. Kumar, E. Ramirez, and E. P. Geiduschek, Mol. Cell. Biol. 17:5299-5306, 1997); the same TBP mutations reduced binding by this fragment. Mutations in TBP residues that interact with TFIIB did not affect Brf binding or U6 gene transcription. These results indicate that Brf and TFIIB interact differently with TBP. An extensively overlapping epitope on the top surface of TBP was found previously to be required for activated Pol II transcription and has been hypothesized to interact with Pol II TAFs. Our results map the surface of TBP that interacts with Brf and suggest that Pol II and Pol III TAFs interact with the same surface of TBP.

Architecture of protein and DNA contacts within the TFIIIB-DNA complex

The RNA polymerase III factor TFIIIB forms a stable complex with DNA and can promote multiple rounds of initiation by polymerase. TFIIIB is composed of three subunits, the TATA binding protein (TBP), TFIIB-related factor (BRF), and B". Chemical footprinting, as well as mutagenesis of TBP, BRF, and promoter DNA, was used to probe the architecture of TFIIIB subunits bound to DNA. BRF bound to TBP-DNA through the nonconserved C-terminal region and required 15 bp downstream of the TATA box and as little as 1 bp upstream of the TATA box for stable complex formation. In contrast, formation of complete TFIIIB complexes required 15 bp both upstream and downstream of the TATA box. Hydroxyl radical footprinting of TFIIIB complexes and modeling the results to the TBP-DNA structure suggest that BRF and B" surround TBP on both faces of the TBP-DNA complex and provide an explanation for the exceptional stability of this complex. Competition for binding to TBP by BRF and either TFIIB or TFIIA suggests that BRF binds on the opposite face of the TBP-DNA complex from TFIIB and that the binding sites for TFIIA and BRF overlap. The positions of TBP mutations which are defective in binding BRF suggest that BRF binds to the top and N-terminal leg of TBP. One mutation on the N-terminal leg of TBP specifically affects the binding of the B" subunit.

Bidirectional binding of the TATA box binding protein to the TATA box

By selective attachment of a DNA cleavage agent to specific residues in the yeast TATA box binding protein (yTBP), we demonstrate that, in solution, yTBP binds to the TATA boxes of both the adenovirus major late promoter and the yeast CYC1 promoter with only a modest preference in orientation and binds well to several overlapping binding sites. The general factors TFIIA and TFIIB each increase the rotational and translational selectivity of yTBP but are not sufficient, at least individually, to confer a unique polarity to the preinitiation complex. We conclude that TBP alone cannot define the productive orientation of general factor assembly on a promoter.

A tetratricopeptide repeat mutation in yeast transcription factor IIIC131 (TFIIIC131) facilitates recruitment of TFIIB-related factor TFIIIB70

Transcription factor IIIC (TFIIIC) plays an important role in assembling the initiation factor TFIIIB on genes transcribed by RNA polymerase III (Pol III). In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, assembly of the TFIIIB complex by promoter-bound TFIIIC is thought to be initiated by its tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR)-containing subunit, TFIIIC131, which interacts directly with the TFIIB-related factor, TFIIIB70/Brf1. In this work, we have identified 10 dominant mutations in TFIIIC131 that increase Pol III gene transcription. All of these mutations are found within a discrete 53-amino-acid region of the protein encompassing TPR2. Biochemical studies of one of the mutations (PCF1-2) show that the increase in transcription is due to an increase in the recruitment of TFIIIB70 to TFIIC-DNA. The PCF1-2 mutation does not affect the affinity of TFIIIC for DNA, and the differential in both transcription and TFIIIB complex assembly is observed at saturating levels of TFIIIB70. This indicates that mutant and wild-type TFIIIC-DNA complexes have the same affinity for TFIIIB70 and suggests that the increased recruitment of this factor is achieved by a nonequilibrium binding mechanism. A novel mechanism of activation in which the TPR mutations facilitate a conformational change in TFIIIC that is required for TFIIIB70 binding is proposed. The implications of this model for the regulation of processes involving TPR proteins are discussed.

Domains of the Brf component of RNA polymerase III transcription factor IIIB (TFIIIB): functions in assembly of TFIIIB-DNA complexes and recruitment of RNA polymerase to the promoter

Saccharomyces cerevisiae transcription factor IIIB (TFIIIB) is composed of three subunits: the TATA-binding protein, the TFIIB-related protein Brf, and B". TFIIIB, which is brought to RNA polymerase III-transcribed genes indirectly through interaction with DNA-bound TFIIIC or directly through DNA recognition by the TATA-binding protein, in turn recruits RNA polymerase III to the promoter. N-terminally deleted derivatives of Brf have been examined for their ability to interact with DNA-bound TFIIIC and with the other components of TFIIIB and for participation in transcription. Brf(165-596), lacking 164 N-proximal TFIIB-homologous amino acids, is competent to participate in the assembly of TFIIIB-DNA complexes and in TFIIIC-independent transcription. Even deletion of the entire TFIIB-homologous half of the protein, as in Brf(317-596) and Brf(352-596), allows some interaction with DNA-bound TBP and with the B" component of TFIIIB to be retained. The function of Brf(165-596) in transcription has also been examined in the context of B" with small internal deletions. The ability of Brf with this sizable N-terminal segment deleted to function in TFIIIC-independent transcription requires segments of B" that are individually indispensable although required on an either/or basis, in the context of complete Brf. These findings suggest a functional complementarity and reciprocity between the Brf and B" components of TFIIIB.