Extensive homology among the largest subunits of eukaryotic and prokaryotic RNA polymerases

We have determined the nucleotide sequence of two yeast RNA polymerase genes, RPO21 and RPO31, which encode the largest subunits of RNA polymerases II and III, respectively. The RPO21 and RPO31 sequences are homologous to each other, to the sequence of the largest subunit of E. coli RNA polymerase, and to sequences in the putative DNA-binding domain of E. coli DNA polymerase I. RPO21 has an unusual heptapeptide sequence tandemly repeated 26 times at its C-terminus; this sequence is conserved in the RNA polymerase II of higher eukaryotes and may play an important role in polymerase II-mediated transcription. Since eukaryotic and prokaryotic RNA polymerases appear to have evolved from a common ancestral polymerase, other features of the transcription process may also be evolutionarily conserved.

Reduced binding of TFIID to transcriptionally compromised mutants of VP16

Activator proteins that control transcription initiation by RNA polymerase II usually have two domains: one binds to DNA, and the other activates transcription. A particularly potent acidic activation domain at the C terminus of the herpes simplex virus protein VP16 binds directly and selectively to the human and yeast TATA box-binding factor TFIID. We have now investigated the biological significance of this in vitro interaction by using mutant forms of VP16. For changes at the critical phenylalanine residue at position 442 of VP16 there was a good correlation between transactivation activity in vivo and the binding of VP16 to TFIID in vitro. In contrast, mutants with reduced negative charge were more defective for binding than for activation.

Identification, molecular cloning, and mutagenesis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNA polymerase genes

Three different regions of Saccharomyces cerevisiae DNA were identified by using as hybridization probe a fragment of Drosophila melanogaster DNA that encodes an RNA polymerase II (EC 2.7.7.6) polypeptide. Two of these regions have been molecularly cloned. Each contains a sequence related not only to the D. melanogaster DNA fragment that was used as a probe in its isolation but also to the immediately adjacent DNA fragment of the D. melanogaster RNA polymerase II gene. The two cloned S. cerevisiae DNA sequences are each the template for single transcripts in vivo, one of 5.9 kilobases and the other of 4.6 kilobases. In vitro translation of hybrid-selected cellular RNA indicated that the former locus encodes a protein of Mr 220,000, equal in size to the largest polypeptide subunit of S. cerevisiae RNA polymerase II. Disruption of either gene by targeted integration of URA3+ DNA demonstrated that each is single-copy and essential in a haploid genome. We suggest that these S. cerevisiae loci are members of a family of related genes encoding the largest subunit polypeptides of RNA polymerases I, II, and III.

Defective RNA polymerase II in the G1 specific temperature sensitive hamster cell mutant TsAF8

TsAF8 is a temperature-sensitive (TS) mutant of BHK21 cells that arrests at nonpermissive temperatures in the mid-G1 phase of the cell cycle. TsAmaR-1 is a TS for growth mutant of CHO cells with a Ts- and alpha-amanitin-resistant (AmaR) RNA polymerase II activity. Hybrid TsAmaR-1 x TsAF8 cell lines were constructed at permissive temperatures. Such hybrid cells did not grow at nonpermissive temperatures; the two TS mutations did not complement. Two different AmaR derivatives of TsAF8 were isolated. Each contained only AmaR polymerase II activity, indicating that this RNA polymerase II gene locus in TsAF8 is functionally hemizygous, as would be expected for a locus in which the recessive TsAF8 mutation had occurred. One of these AmaR isolates of TsAF8 had at. Two different AmaR derivatives of TsAF8 were isolated. Each contained only AmaR polymerase II activity, indicating that this RNA polymerase II gene locus in TsAF8 is functionally hemizygous, as would be expected for a locus in which the recessive TsAF8 mutation had occurred. One of these AmaR isolates of TsAF8 had a partially reverted TS+ phenotype. Taken together these results suggest that the TS mutation in TsAF8 is in RNA polymerase II.

Characterization of the interaction between the acidic activation domain of VP16 and the RNA polymerase II initiation factor TFIIB

Contact between a transcriptional activator and one or more components of the RNA polymerase II transcription initiation machinery is generally believed important for activators to function. Several different molecular targets have been suggested for direct contact by herpes simplex virus virion protein VP16, including the general initiation factor TFIIB. In this report we have used several strategies to critically assess this interaction between VP16 and TFIIB. Affinity columns of VP16 bound TFIIB activity from HeLa cell extracts and the binding was reduced by mutations in the activation domain of VP16. In assays of direct binding, VP16 bound recombinant human TFIIB but not Drosophila or yeast TFIIB. Unlike binding from an extract, however, we found that the interaction between VP16 and recombinant human TFIIB was not affected by mutations in VP16 that reduce transactivation. Point mutations within human TFIIB that reduce transactivation by VP16 have been shown to reduce VP16 binding, but we show here that these same mutations critically affect both the important TBP-TFIIB interaction and the ability of TFIIB to support activator-independent basal transcription in vitro. Taken together our results suggest more evidence is needed to support the notion that TFIIB is a functionally important target for the activator VP16.

Cannabinoids in traumatic brain injury and related neuropathologies: preclinical and clinical research on endogenous, plant-derived, and synthetic compounds

Traumatic brain injury is common, and often results in debilitating consequences. Even mild traumatic brain injury leaves approximately 20% of patients with symptoms that persist for months. Despite great clinical need there are currently no approved pharmaceutical interventions that improve outcomes after traumatic brain injury. Increased understanding of the endocannabinoid system in health and disease has accompanied growing evidence for therapeutic benefits of Cannabis sativa. This has driven research of Cannabis' active chemical constituents (phytocannabinoids), alongside endogenous and synthetic counterparts, collectively known as cannabinoids. Also of therapeutic interest are other Cannabis constituents, such as terpenes. Cannabinoids interact with neurons, microglia, and astrocytes, and exert anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects which are highly desirable for the management of traumatic brain injury. In this review, we comprehensively appraised the relevant scientific literature, where major and minor phytocannabinoids, terpenes, synthetic cannabinoids, and endogenous cannabinoids were assessed in TBI, or other neurological conditions with pathology and symptomology relevant to TBI, as well as recent studies in preclinical TBI models and clinical TBI populations.

DNA-mediated transfer of an RNA polymerase II gene: reversion of the temperature-sensitive hamster cell cycle mutant TsAF8 by mammalian DNA

Treatment of the TsAF8 temperature-sensitive (TS) mutant of Syrian hamster BHK-21 cells, with calcium phosphate precipitates of genomic TS+ DNAs from a variety of mammalian cell lines permitted the selection of TS+ colonies at 40 degrees C. TS+ transformation events were distinguished from spontaneous TS+ reversions in experiments in which alpha-amanitin-sensitive (Amas) TS+ DNA was used to transform an AmaR derivative of TsAF8 cells and AmaR TS+ DNA was used to transform Amas TsAF8 cells. In each case it was possible to demonstrate the unselected acquisition of the appropriate Amas or AmaR phenotype with the selected TS+ allele. Each of these TS+ transformed cell lines when grown at 40 degrees C contained an RNA polymerase II activity with a sensitivity to inhibition by alpha-amanitin characteristic of the particular DNA used to transform the TS cells, whereas at 34 degrees C the same cells contained a mixture of AmaR and Amas polymerase II activities. Together, these data provide convincing evidence that the RNA polymerase II gene determining sensitivity to inhibition by alpha-amanitin can be transferred to TsAF8 cells and that the TS defect in TsAF8 is a polymerase II mutation.

Daunorubicin-resistant Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing multidrug resistance and a cell-surface P-glycoprotein

Independent lines of Chinese hamster ovary cells resistant to the antineoplastic drug, daunorubicin, were obtained by clonal isolation in increasing drug concentrations. A single daunorubicin-resistant phenotype typified by reduced cellular drug accumulation was observed. These mutants displayed a complex phenotype of resistance to a variety of unrelated drugs. Such properties are similar to those of membrane-altered colchicine-resistant lines (V. Ling and L.H. Thompson, J. Cell. Physiol., 83: 103-116, 1974). Analysis of the plasma membrane components of the daunorubicin-resistant clones by gel electrophoresis revealed a prominent cell surface glycoprotein with a molecular weight of about 170,000. This component was immunologically cross-reactive with the cell surface P-glycoprotein of about the same molecular weight, previously identified in colchicine-resistant cells. Thus, it appears that the mechanism of resistance characterized by P-glycoprotein expression could be the basis of many drug-resistant phenotypes.