1
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Schächner C, Merkl PE, Pilsl M, Schwank K, Hergert K, Kruse S, Milkereit P, Tschochner H, Griesenbeck J. Establishment and Maintenance of Open Ribosomal RNA Gene Chromatin States in Eukaryotes. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2533:25-38. [PMID: 35796980 PMCID: PMC9761505 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2501-9_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In growing eukaryotic cells, nuclear ribosomal (r)RNA synthesis by RNA polymerase (RNAP) I accounts for the vast majority of cellular transcription. This high output is achieved by the presence of multiple copies of rRNA genes in eukaryotic genomes transcribed at a high rate. In contrast to most of the other transcribed genomic loci, actively transcribed rRNA genes are largely devoid of nucleosomes adapting a characteristic "open" chromatin state, whereas a significant fraction of rRNA genes resides in a transcriptionally inactive nucleosomal "closed" chromatin state. Here, we review our current knowledge about the nature of open rRNA gene chromatin and discuss how this state may be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Schächner
- Universität Regensburg, Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), Lehrstuhl Biochemie III, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Philipp E Merkl
- Universität Regensburg, Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), Lehrstuhl Biochemie III, Regensburg, Germany
- TUM ForTe, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Pilsl
- Universität Regensburg, Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), Lehrstuhl Biochemie III, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Katrin Schwank
- Universität Regensburg, Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), Lehrstuhl Biochemie III, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Kristin Hergert
- Universität Regensburg, Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), Lehrstuhl Biochemie III, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kruse
- Universität Regensburg, Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), Lehrstuhl Biochemie III, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Milkereit
- Universität Regensburg, Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), Lehrstuhl Biochemie III, Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Herbert Tschochner
- Universität Regensburg, Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), Lehrstuhl Biochemie III, Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Joachim Griesenbeck
- Universität Regensburg, Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), Lehrstuhl Biochemie III, Regensburg, Germany.
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2
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Braichenko S, Holehouse J, Grima R. Distinguishing between models of mammalian gene expression: telegraph-like models versus mechanistic models. J R Soc Interface 2021; 18:20210510. [PMID: 34610262 PMCID: PMC8492181 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2021.0510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Two-state models (telegraph-like models) have a successful history of predicting distributions of cellular and nascent mRNA numbers that can well fit experimental data. These models exclude key rate limiting steps, and hence it is unclear why they are able to accurately predict the number distributions. To answer this question, here we compare these models to a novel stochastic mechanistic model of transcription in mammalian cells that presents a unified description of transcriptional factor, polymerase and mature mRNA dynamics. We show that there is a large region of parameter space where the first, second and third moments of the distributions of the waiting times between two consecutively produced transcripts (nascent or mature) of two-state and mechanistic models exactly match. In this region: (i) one can uniquely express the two-state model parameters in terms of those of the mechanistic model, (ii) the models are practically indistinguishable by comparison of their transcript numbers distributions, and (iii) they are distinguishable from the shape of their waiting time distributions. Our results clarify the relationship between different gene expression models and identify a means to select between them from experimental data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svitlana Braichenko
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - James Holehouse
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ramon Grima
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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3
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Martínez-Fernández V, Cuevas-Bermúdez A, Gutiérrez-Santiago F, Garrido-Godino AI, Rodríguez-Galán O, Jordán-Pla A, Lois S, Triviño JC, de la Cruz J, Navarro F. Prefoldin-like Bud27 influences the transcription of ribosomal components and ribosome biogenesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2020; 26:1360-1379. [PMID: 32503921 PMCID: PMC7491330 DOI: 10.1261/rna.075507.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the functional connection that occurs for the three nuclear RNA polymerases to synthesize ribosome components during the ribosome biogenesis process has been the focal point of extensive research. To preserve correct homeostasis on the production of ribosomal components, cells might require the existence of proteins that target a common subunit of these RNA polymerases to impact their respective activities. This work describes how the yeast prefoldin-like Bud27 protein, which physically interacts with the Rpb5 common subunit of the three RNA polymerases, is able to modulate the transcription mediated by the RNA polymerase I, likely by influencing transcription elongation, the transcription of the RNA polymerase III, and the processing of ribosomal RNA. Bud27 also regulates both RNA polymerase II-dependent transcription of ribosomal proteins and ribosome biogenesis regulon genes, likely by occupying their DNA ORFs, and the processing of the corresponding mRNAs. With RNA polymerase II, this association occurs in a transcription rate-dependent manner. Our data also indicate that Bud27 inactivation alters the phosphorylation kinetics of ribosomal protein S6, a readout of TORC1 activity. We conclude that Bud27 impacts the homeostasis of the ribosome biogenesis process by regulating the activity of the three RNA polymerases and, in this way, the synthesis of ribosomal components. This quite likely occurs through a functional connection of Bud27 with the TOR signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verónica Martínez-Fernández
- Departamento de Biología Experimental-Genética, Universidad de Jaén, Paraje de las Lagunillas, s/n, E-23071, Jaén, Spain
| | - Abel Cuevas-Bermúdez
- Departamento de Biología Experimental-Genética, Universidad de Jaén, Paraje de las Lagunillas, s/n, E-23071, Jaén, Spain
| | - Francisco Gutiérrez-Santiago
- Departamento de Biología Experimental-Genética, Universidad de Jaén, Paraje de las Lagunillas, s/n, E-23071, Jaén, Spain
| | - Ana I Garrido-Godino
- Departamento de Biología Experimental-Genética, Universidad de Jaén, Paraje de las Lagunillas, s/n, E-23071, Jaén, Spain
| | - Olga Rodríguez-Galán
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, E-41013 Seville, Spain
- Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Sevilla, E-41012 Seville, Spain
| | - Antonio Jordán-Pla
- ERI Biotecmed, Facultad de Biológicas, Universitat de València, E-46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Sergio Lois
- Sistemas Genómicos. Ronda de Guglielmo Marconi, 6, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan C Triviño
- Sistemas Genómicos. Ronda de Guglielmo Marconi, 6, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Jesús de la Cruz
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, E-41013 Seville, Spain
- Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Sevilla, E-41012 Seville, Spain
| | - Francisco Navarro
- Departamento de Biología Experimental-Genética, Universidad de Jaén, Paraje de las Lagunillas, s/n, E-23071, Jaén, Spain
- Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Aceite de Oliva y Olivar, Universidad de Jaén, Paraje de las Lagunillas, s/n, E-23071, Jaén, Spain
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4
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Chromatin Remodeling Factors Isw2 and Ino80 Regulate Chromatin, Replication, and Copy Number of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ribosomal DNA Locus. Genetics 2018; 210:1543-1556. [PMID: 30355728 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.118.301579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, ribosomal RNA genes are encoded in a highly repetitive tandem array referred to as the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) locus. The yeast rDNA is the site of a diverse set of DNA-dependent processes, including transcription of ribosomal RNAs by RNA polymerases I and III, transcription of noncoding RNAs by RNA polymerase II, DNA replication initiation, replication fork blocking, and recombination-mediated regulation of rDNA repeat copy number. All of this takes place in the context of chromatin, but little is known about the roles played by ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling factors at the yeast rDNA. In this work, we report that the Isw2 and Ino80 chromatin remodeling factors are targeted to this highly repetitive locus. We characterize for the first time their function in modifying local chromatin structure, finding that loss of these factors decreases the fraction of actively transcribed 35S ribosomal RNA genes and the positioning of nucleosomes flanking the ribosomal origin of replication. In addition, we report that Isw2 and Ino80 promote efficient firing of the ribosomal origin of replication and facilitate the regulated increase of rDNA repeat copy number. This work significantly expands our understanding of the importance of ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling for rDNA biology.
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5
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Laribee RN. Transcriptional and Epigenetic Regulation by the Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 Pathway. J Mol Biol 2018; 430:4874-4890. [PMID: 30359581 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2018.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Nutrient availability impacts health such that nutrient excess states can dysregulate epigenetic and transcriptional pathways to cause many diseases. Increasing evidence implicates aberrant regulation of nutrient signaling cascades as one means of communicating nutrient information to the epigenetic and transcriptional regulatory machinery. One such signaling cascade, the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), is conserved from yeast to man, and it is deregulated in diverse disease states. The catalytic subunit of the mTORC1 kinase complex (Tor1 or Tor2 in budding yeast and mTor in mammals) phosphorylates several downstream effectors regulating transcriptional and translational responses controlling growth and proliferation. Delineating mechanisms of cytoplasmic nutrient mTORC1 activation continues to be a major research focus. However, Tor kinases not only localize to the cytoplasm but also are found in the nucleus where they selectively bind and regulate genes controlling cellular metabolism and anabolism. The nuclear mTORC1 functions are now beginning to be defined, and they suggest that mTORC1 has a critical role in regulating the complex transcriptional activities required for ribosomal biogenesis. The mTORC1 pathway also interacts with epigenetic regulators required for modifying chromatin structure and function to control gene expression. Because altered nutrient states exert both individual and transgenerational phenotypic changes, mTORC1 signaling to chromatin effectors may have a significant role in mediating the effects of diet and nutrients on the epigenome. This article will discuss the recent inroads into the function of nuclear mTORC1 and its role in epigenetic and transcriptional regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Nicholas Laribee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 19 South Manassas, Cancer Research Building Rm 318, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
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6
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Johnston R, D'Costa Z, Ray S, Gorski J, Harkin DP, Mullan P, Panov KI. The identification of a novel role for BRCA1 in regulating RNA polymerase I transcription. Oncotarget 2018; 7:68097-68110. [PMID: 27589844 PMCID: PMC5356541 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The unrestrained proliferation of cancer cells requires a high level of ribosome biogenesis. The first stage of ribosome biogenesis is the transcription of the large ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs); the structural and functional components of the ribosome. Transcription of rRNA is carried out by RNA polymerase I (Pol-I) and its associated holoenzyme complex.Here we report that BRCA1, a nuclear phosphoprotein, and a known tumour suppressor involved in variety of cellular processes such as DNA damage response, transcriptional regulation, cell cycle control and ubiquitylation, is associated with rDNA repeats, in particular with the regulatory regions of the rRNA gene.We demonstrate that BRCA1 interacts directly with the basal Pol-I transcription factors; upstream binding factor (UBF), selectivity factor-1 (SL1) as well as interacting with RNA Pol-I itself. We show that in response to DNA damage, BRCA1 occupancy at the rDNA repeat is decreased and the observed BRCA1 interactions with the Pol-I transcription machinery are weakened.We propose, therefore, that there is a rDNA associated fraction of BRCA1 involved in DNA damage dependent regulation of Pol-I transcription, regulating the stability and formation of the Pol-I holoenzyme during initiation and/or elongation in response to DNA damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Johnston
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Zenobia D'Costa
- The Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK.,Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Swagat Ray
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK.,Krebs Institute, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Julia Gorski
- The Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK
| | - D Paul Harkin
- The Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Paul Mullan
- The Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Konstantin I Panov
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK.,The Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK
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7
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Zhang Y, Najmi SM, Schneider DA. Transcription factors that influence RNA polymerases I and II: To what extent is mechanism of action conserved? BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2016; 1860:246-255. [PMID: 27989933 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2016.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Revised: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
In eukaryotic cells, nuclear RNA synthesis is accomplished by at least three unique, multisubunit RNA polymerases. The roles of these enzymes are generally partitioned into the synthesis of the three major classes of RNA: rRNA, mRNA, and tRNA for RNA polymerases I, II, and III respectively. Consistent with their unique cellular roles, each enzyme has a complement of specialized transcription factors and enzymatic properties. However, not all transcription factors have evolved to affect only one eukaryotic RNA polymerase. In fact, many factors have been shown to influence the activities of multiple nuclear RNA polymerases. This review focuses on a subset of these factors, specifically addressing the mechanisms by which these proteins influence RNA polymerases I and II.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinfeng Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
| | - Saman M Najmi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
| | - David A Schneider
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
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8
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Ucuncuoglu S, Engel KL, Purohit PK, Dunlap DD, Schneider DA, Finzi L. Direct Characterization of Transcription Elongation by RNA Polymerase I. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0159527. [PMID: 27455049 PMCID: PMC4959687 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA polymerase I (Pol I) transcribes ribosomal DNA and is responsible for more than 60% of transcription in a growing cell. Despite this fundamental role that directly impacts cell growth and proliferation, the kinetics of transcription by Pol I are poorly understood. This study provides direct characterization of S. Cerevisiae Pol I transcription elongation using tethered particle microscopy (TPM). Pol I was shown to elongate at an average rate of approximately 20 nt/s. However, the maximum speed observed was, in average, about 60 nt/s, comparable to the rate calculated based on the in vivo number of active genes, the cell division rate and the number of engaged polymerases observed in EM images. Addition of RNA endonucleases to the TPM elongation assays enhanced processivity. Together, these data suggest that additional transcription factors contribute to efficient and processive transcription elongation by RNA polymerase I in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suleyman Ucuncuoglu
- Physics Department, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, United States of America
| | - Krysta L. Engel
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, United States of America
| | - Prashant K. Purohit
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States of America
| | - David D. Dunlap
- Physics Department, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, United States of America
| | - David A. Schneider
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, United States of America
- * E-mail: (LF); (DAS)
| | - Laura Finzi
- Physics Department, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, United States of America
- * E-mail: (LF); (DAS)
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9
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Ribosome quality control is a central protection mechanism for yeast exposed to deoxynivalenol and trichothecin. BMC Genomics 2016; 17:417. [PMID: 27245696 PMCID: PMC4888481 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-2718-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The trichothecene mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and trichothecin (TTC) are inhibitors of eukaryotic protein synthesis. Their effect on cellular homeostasis is poorly understood. We report a systematic functional investigation of the effect of DON and TTC on the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae using genetic array, network and microarray analysis. To focus the genetic analysis on intracellular consequences of toxin action we eliminated the PDR5 gene coding for a potent pleiotropic drug efflux protein potentially confounding results. We therefore used a knockout library with a pdr5Δ strain background. Results DON or TTC treatment creates a fitness bottleneck connected to ribosome efficiency. Genes isolated by systematic genetic array analysis as contributing to toxin resistance function in ribosome quality control, translation fidelity, and in transcription. Mutants in the E3 ligase Hel2, involved in ribosome quality control, and several members of the Rpd3 histone deacetylase complex were highly sensitive to DON. DON and TTC have similar genetic profiles despite their different toxic potency. Network analysis shows a coherent and tight network of genetic interactions among the DON and TTC resistance conferring gene products. The networks exhibited topological properties commonly associated with efficient processing of information. Many sensitive mutants have a "slow growth" gene expression signature. DON-exposed yeast cells increase transcripts of ribosomal protein and histone genes indicating an internal signal for growth enhancement. Conclusions The combination of gene expression profiling and analysis of mutants reveals cellular pathways which become bottlenecks under DON and TTC stress. These are generally directly or indirectly connected to ribosome biosynthesis such as the general secretory pathway, cytoskeleton, cell cycle delay, ribosome synthesis and translation quality control. Gene expression profiling points to an increased demand of ribosomal components and does not reveal activation of stress pathways. Our analysis highlights ribosome quality control and a contribution of a histone deacetylase complex as main sources of resistance against DON and TTC. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-2718-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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10
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Zhang Y, French SL, Beyer AL, Schneider DA. The Transcription Factor THO Promotes Transcription Initiation and Elongation by RNA Polymerase I. J Biol Chem 2015; 291:3010-8. [PMID: 26663077 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.673442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Although ribosomal RNA represents the majority of cellular RNA, and ribosome synthesis is closely connected to cell growth and proliferation rates, a complete understanding of the factors that influence transcription of ribosomal DNA is lacking. Here, we show that the THO complex positively affects transcription by RNA polymerase I (Pol I). We found that THO physically associates with the rDNA repeat and interacts genetically with Pol I transcription initiation factors. Pol I transcription in hpr1 or tho2 null mutants is dramatically reduced to less than 20% of the WT level. Pol I occupancy of the coding region of the rDNA in THO mutants is decreased to ~50% of WT level. Furthermore, although the percentage of active rDNA repeats remains unaffected in the mutant cells, the overall rDNA copy number increases ~2-fold compared with WT. Together, these data show that perturbation of THO function impairs transcription initiation and elongation by Pol I, identifying a new cellular target for the conserved THO complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinfeng Zhang
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294-0024 and
| | - Sarah L French
- the Department of Microbiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908
| | - Ann L Beyer
- the Department of Microbiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908
| | - David A Schneider
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294-0024 and
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11
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Choubey S, Kondev J, Sanchez A. Deciphering Transcriptional Dynamics In Vivo by Counting Nascent RNA Molecules. PLoS Comput Biol 2015; 11:e1004345. [PMID: 26544860 PMCID: PMC4636183 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2014] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Deciphering how the regulatory DNA sequence of a gene dictates its expression in response to intra and extracellular cues is one of the leading challenges in modern genomics. The development of novel single-cell sequencing and imaging techniques, as well as a better exploitation of currently available single-molecule imaging techniques, provides an avenue to interrogate the process of transcription and its dynamics in cells by quantifying the number of RNA polymerases engaged in the transcription of a gene (or equivalently the number of nascent RNAs) at a given moment in time. In this paper, we propose that measurements of the cell-to-cell variability in the number of nascent RNAs provide a mostly unexplored method for deciphering mechanisms of transcription initiation in cells. We propose a simple kinetic model of transcription initiation and elongation from which we calculate nascent RNA copy-number fluctuations. To demonstrate the usefulness of this approach, we test our theory against published nascent RNA data for twelve constitutively expressed yeast genes. Rather than transcription being initiated through a single rate limiting step, as it had been previously proposed, our single-cell analysis reveals the presence of at least two rate limiting steps. Surprisingly, half of the genes analyzed have nearly identical rates of transcription initiation, suggesting a common mechanism. Our analytical framework can be used to extract quantitative information about dynamics of transcription from single-cell sequencing data, as well as from single-molecule imaging and electron micrographs of fixed cells, and provides the mathematical means to exploit the quantitative power of these technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Choubey
- Department of Physics, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jane Kondev
- Department of Physics, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Alvaro Sanchez
- Rowland Institute at Harvard, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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12
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Laribee RN, Hosni-Ahmed A, Workman JJ, Chen H. Ccr4-not regulates RNA polymerase I transcription and couples nutrient signaling to the control of ribosomal RNA biogenesis. PLoS Genet 2015; 11:e1005113. [PMID: 25815716 PMCID: PMC4376722 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2014] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Ribosomal RNA synthesis is controlled by nutrient signaling through the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway. mTORC1 regulates ribosomal RNA expression by affecting RNA Polymerase I (Pol I)-dependent transcription of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) but the mechanisms involved remain obscure. This study provides evidence that the Ccr4-Not complex, which regulates RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) transcription, also functions downstream of mTORC1 to control Pol I activity. Ccr4-Not localizes to the rDNA and physically associates with the Pol I holoenzyme while Ccr4-Not disruption perturbs rDNA binding of multiple Pol I transcriptional regulators including core factor, the high mobility group protein Hmo1, and the SSU processome. Under nutrient rich conditions, Ccr4-Not suppresses Pol I initiation by regulating interactions with the essential transcription factor Rrn3. Additionally, Ccr4-Not disruption prevents reduced Pol I transcription when mTORC1 is inhibited suggesting Ccr4-Not bridges mTORC1 signaling with Pol I regulation. Analysis of the non-essential Pol I subunits demonstrated that the A34.5 subunit promotes, while the A12.2 and A14 subunits repress, Ccr4-Not interactions with Pol I. Furthermore, ccr4Δ is synthetically sick when paired with rpa12Δ and the double mutant has enhanced sensitivity to transcription elongation inhibition suggesting that Ccr4-Not functions to promote Pol I elongation. Intriguingly, while low concentrations of mTORC1 inhibitors completely inhibit growth of ccr4Δ, a ccr4Δ rpa12Δ rescues this growth defect suggesting that the sensitivity of Ccr4-Not mutants to mTORC1 inhibition is at least partially due to Pol I deregulation. Collectively, these data demonstrate a novel role for Ccr4-Not in Pol I transcriptional regulation that is required for bridging mTORC1 signaling to ribosomal RNA synthesis. All cells communicate their environmental nutrient status to the gene expression machinery so that transcription occurs in proportion to the nutrients available to support cell growth and proliferation. mTORC1 signaling, which is essential for this process, regulates Pol I-dependent rRNA expression. We provide evidence that the RNA polymerase II regulatory complex, Ccr4-Not, also is a novel Pol I regulator required for mTORC1-dependent control of Pol I activity. Ccr4-Not disruption increases Pol I transcription due to an inability to decrease Pol I interactions with the transcription factor Rrn3 when mTORC1 signaling is reduced. Additionally, genetic and biochemical evidence supports a role for Ccr4-Not as a positive regulator of Pol I transcription elongation as well. Surprisingly, while Ccr4-Not mutations profoundly inhibit growth when mTORC1 activity is reduced, this phenotype is reversed by simultaneously impairing Pol I transcription. Overall, our data demonstrate that the evolutionarily conserved Ccr4-Not complex mediates environmental signaling through mTORC1 to control Pol I transcription initiation and, additionally, to regulate Pol I elongation. These studies further suggest that uncoupling Pol I from upstream mTORC1 activity by targeting Ccr4-Not sensitizes cells to mTORC1 inhibitors which is a concept that could have implications for anti-cancer drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Nicholas Laribee
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and the UT Center for Cancer Research, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Amira Hosni-Ahmed
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and the UT Center for Cancer Research, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Jason J. Workman
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and the UT Center for Cancer Research, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Hongfeng Chen
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and the UT Center for Cancer Research, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
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13
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Viktorovskaya OV, Schneider DA. Functional divergence of eukaryotic RNA polymerases: unique properties of RNA polymerase I suit its cellular role. Gene 2014; 556:19-26. [PMID: 25445273 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2014.10.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2014] [Revised: 10/16/2014] [Accepted: 10/17/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Eukaryotic cells express at least three unique nuclear RNA polymerases. The selective advantage provided by this enhanced complexity is a topic of fundamental interest in cell biology. It has long been known that the gene targets and transcription initiation pathways for RNA polymerases (Pols) I, II and III are distinct; however, recent genetic, biochemical and structural data suggest that even the core enzymes have evolved unique properties. Among the three eukaryotic RNA polymerases, Pol I is considered the most divergent. Transcription of the ribosomal DNA by Pol I is unmatched in its high rate of initiation, complex organization within the nucleolus and functional connection to ribosome assembly. Furthermore, ribosome synthesis is intimately linked to cell growth and proliferation. Thus, there is intense selective pressure on Pol I. This review describes key features of Pol I transcription, discusses catalytic activities of the enzyme and focuses on recent advances in understanding its unique role among eukaryotic RNA polymerases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga V Viktorovskaya
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States
| | - David A Schneider
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States.
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Knutson BA, Luo J, Ranish J, Hahn S. Architecture of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNA polymerase I Core Factor complex. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2014; 21:810-6. [PMID: 25132180 PMCID: PMC4219626 DOI: 10.1038/nsmb.2873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2014] [Accepted: 07/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Core Factor (CF) is a conserved RNA polymerase (Pol) I general transcription factor and is comprised of Rrn6, Rrn11, and the TFIIB-related subunit Rrn7. CF binds TBP, Pol I, and the regulatory factors Rrn3 and UAF. We used chemical crosslinking-mass spectrometry (CXMS) to determine the molecular architecture of CF and its interactions with TBP. The CF subunits assemble through an interconnected network of interactions between five structural domains that are conserved in orthologous subunits of the human Pol I factor SL1. The crosslinking-derived model was validated through a series of genetic and biochemical assays. Our combined results show the architecture of CF and the functions of the CF subunits in assembly of the complex. We extend these findings to model how CF assembles into the Pol I preinitiation complex, providing new insight into the roles of CF, TBP and Rrn3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce A Knutson
- 1] Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA. [2]
| | - Jie Luo
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Steven Hahn
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
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