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Song E, Han S, Hohng S, Kang C. Compatibility of termination mechanisms in bacterial transcription with inference on eukaryotic models. Biochem Soc Trans 2024; 52:887-897. [PMID: 38533838 DOI: 10.1042/bst20231229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Transcription termination has evolved to proceed through diverse mechanisms. For several classes of terminators, multiple models have been debatably proposed. Recent single-molecule studies on bacterial terminators have resolved several long-standing controversies. First, termination mode or outcome is twofold rather than single. RNA is released alone before DNA or together with DNA from RNA polymerase (RNAP), i.e. with RNA release for termination, RNAP retains on or dissociates off DNA, respectively. The concomitant release, described in textbooks, results in one-step decomposition of transcription complexes, and this 'decomposing termination' prevails at ρ factor-dependent terminators. Contrastingly, the sequential release was recently discovered abundantly from RNA hairpin-dependent intrinsic terminations. RNA-only release allows RNAP to diffuse on DNA in both directions and recycle for reinitiation. This 'recycling termination' enables one-dimensional reinitiation, which would be more expeditious than three-dimensional reinitiation by RNAP dissociated at decomposing termination. Second, while both recycling and decomposing terminations occur at a hairpin-dependent terminator, four termination mechanisms compatibly operate at a ρ-dependent terminator with ρ in alternative modes and even intrinsically without ρ. RNA-bound catch-up ρ mediates recycling termination first and decomposing termination later, while RNAP-prebound stand-by ρ invokes only decomposing termination slowly. Without ρ, decomposing termination occurs slightly and sluggishly. These four mechanisms operate on distinct timescales, providing orderly fail-safes. The stand-by mechanism is benefited by terminational pause prolongation and modulated by accompanying riboswitches more greatly than the catch-up mechanisms. Conclusively, any mechanism alone is insufficient to perfect termination, and multiple mechanisms operate compatibly to achieve maximum possible efficiency under separate controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunho Song
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, and Institute of Applied Physics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Han
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, and Institute of Applied Physics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungchul Hohng
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, and Institute of Applied Physics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Changwon Kang
- Department of Biological Sciences, and KAIST Stem Cell Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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2
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Xie J, Libri D, Porrua O. Mechanisms of eukaryotic transcription termination at a glance. J Cell Sci 2023; 136:286227. [PMID: 36594557 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.259873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription termination is the final step of a transcription cycle, which induces the release of the transcript at the termination site and allows the recycling of the polymerase for the next round of transcription. Timely transcription termination is critical for avoiding interferences between neighbouring transcription units as well as conflicts between transcribing RNA polymerases (RNAPs) and other DNA-associated processes, such as replication or DNA repair. Understanding the mechanisms by which the very stable transcription elongation complex is dismantled is essential for appreciating how physiological gene expression is maintained and also how concurrent processes that occur synchronously on the DNA are coordinated. Although the strategies employed by the different classes of eukaryotic RNAPs are traditionally considered to be different, novel findings point to interesting commonalities. In this Cell Science at a Glance and the accompanying poster, we review the current understanding about the mechanisms of transcription termination by the three eukaryotic RNAPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juanjuan Xie
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Domenico Libri
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Odil Porrua
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
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3
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Dey S, Batisse C, Shukla J, Webster MW, Takacs M, Saint-André C, Weixlbaumer A. Structural insights into RNA-mediated transcription regulation in bacteria. Mol Cell 2022; 82:3885-3900.e10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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4
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Lama L, Ryan K. Starting and stopping RNA polymerase III transcription on single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2022; 28:1315-1324. [PMID: 35853667 PMCID: PMC9479740 DOI: 10.1261/rna.078981.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Circularized single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides, or coligos, show promise as promoter-independent RNA polymerase III (Pol III) transcription templates for generating small RNA in human cells. Using a modified small RNA-seq method, we studied the sequence and secondary structure characteristics that determine Pol III initiation and termination on six coligo templates. The coligos each consisted of an imperfectly base-paired stem flanked by one larger and one smaller loop and were unrelated in sequence. Small RNA-seq data from Pol III coligo transcripts revealed a strong preference for initiating transcription within a 5-nucleotide (nt) window spanning the stem-larger loop junction (loop size 11-24 nt). Transcription in all cases proceeded into the stem rather than into the larger loop, indicating the junction is a site-specific, secondary structure-based Pol III transcription initiator. On average, 81% of sequencing reads showed initiation within this 5 nt junction region, with a template start site nucleotide preference of C > T >> A > G, and a requirement for a template purine at Tss-1. Termination was less precise than initiation and occurred in the larger loop at the same end of the stem where transcription initiated. Termination efficiency was on average 82% and was distributed among the first 11 single-stranded larger loop nt following the stem. The size heterogeneity of Pol III coligo transcripts is thus mainly due to 3' end heterogeneity, whereas the RNA 5' ends were more predictable and homogeneous. Transcription termination did not require an oligo dA template sequence, indicating that termination in this context may be mechanistically different than Pol III's normal gene-context termination. A stepwise model for coligo transcription by Pol III is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lodoe Lama
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The City College of New York, New York, New York 10031, USA
- Biochemistry and Chemistry Ph.D. Programs, The City University of New York Graduate Center, New York, New York 10016, USA
| | - Kevin Ryan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The City College of New York, New York, New York 10031, USA
- Biochemistry and Chemistry Ph.D. Programs, The City University of New York Graduate Center, New York, New York 10016, USA
- Chemistry Ph.D. Programs, The City University of New York Graduate Center, New York, New York 10016, USA
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5
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Xie J, Aiello U, Clement Y, Haidara N, Girbig M, Schmitzova J, Pena V, Müller CW, Libri D, Porrua O. An integrated model for termination of RNA polymerase III transcription. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabm9875. [PMID: 35857496 PMCID: PMC9278858 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm9875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
RNA polymerase III (RNAPIII) synthesizes essential and abundant noncoding RNAs such as transfer RNAs. Controlling RNAPIII span of activity by accurate and efficient termination is a challenging necessity to ensure robust gene expression and to prevent conflicts with other DNA-associated machineries. The mechanism of RNAPIII termination is believed to be simpler than that of other eukaryotic RNA polymerases, solely relying on the recognition of a T-tract in the nontemplate strand. Here, we combine high-resolution genome-wide analyses and in vitro transcription termination assays to revisit the mechanism of RNAPIII transcription termination in budding yeast. We show that T-tracts are necessary but not always sufficient for termination and that secondary structures of the nascent RNAs are important auxiliary cis-acting elements. Moreover, we show that the helicase Sen1 plays a key role in a fail-safe termination pathway. Our results provide a comprehensive model illustrating how multiple mechanisms cooperate to ensure efficient RNAPIII transcription termination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juanjuan Xie
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Umberto Aiello
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Yves Clement
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Nouhou Haidara
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Mathias Girbig
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Structural and Computational Biology Unit, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
- Joint PhD degree from EMBL and Heidelberg University, Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jana Schmitzova
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Macromolecular Crystallography, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Vladimir Pena
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Macromolecular Crystallography, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Christoph W. Müller
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Structural and Computational Biology Unit, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Domenico Libri
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75013 Paris, France
- Corresponding author. (D.L.); (O.P.)
| | - Odil Porrua
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75013 Paris, France
- Corresponding author. (D.L.); (O.P.)
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6
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Mishra S, Hasan SH, Sakhawala RM, Chaudhry S, Maraia RJ. Mechanism of RNA polymerase III termination-associated reinitiation-recycling conferred by the essential function of the N terminal-and-linker domain of the C11 subunit. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5900. [PMID: 34625550 PMCID: PMC8501072 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26080-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA polymerase III achieves high level tRNA synthesis by termination-associated reinitiation-recycling that involves the essential C11 subunit and heterodimeric C37/53. The C11-CTD (C-terminal domain) promotes Pol III active center-intrinsic RNA 3'-cleavage although deciphering function for this activity has been complicated. We show that the isolated NTD (N-terminal domain) of C11 stimulates Pol III termination by C37/53 but not reinitiation-recycling which requires the NTD-linker (NTD-L). By an approach different from what led to current belief that RNA 3'-cleavage activity is essential, we show that NTD-L can provide the essential function of Saccharomyces cerevisiae C11 whereas classic point mutations that block cleavage, interfere with active site function and are toxic to growth. Biochemical and in vivo analysis including of the C11 invariant central linker led to a model for Pol III termination-associated reinitiation-recycling. The C11 NTD and CTD stimulate termination and RNA 3'-cleavage, respectively, whereas reinitiation-recycling activity unique to Pol III requires only the NTD-linker. RNA 3'-cleavage activity increases growth rate but is nonessential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saurabh Mishra
- Intramural Research Program of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Shaina H Hasan
- Intramural Research Program of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
| | - Rima M Sakhawala
- Intramural Research Program of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Section on Regulatory RNA, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Shereen Chaudhry
- Intramural Research Program of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Pfizer (Pearl River Site), 401 N Middletown Rd, Pearl River, NY, USA
| | - Richard J Maraia
- Intramural Research Program of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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7
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Verosloff MS, Corcoran WK, Dolberg TB, Bushhouse DZ, Leonard JN, Lucks JB. RNA Sequence and Structure Determinants of Pol III Transcriptional Termination in Human Cells. J Mol Biol 2021; 433:166978. [PMID: 33811918 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.166978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The precise mechanism of transcription termination of the eukaryotic RNA polymerase III (Pol III) has been a subject of considerable debate. Although previous studies have clearly shown that multiple uracils at the end of RNA transcripts are required for Pol III termination, the effects of upstream RNA secondary structure in the nascent transcript on transcriptional termination is still unclear. To address this, we developed an in cellulo Pol III transcription termination assay using the recently developed Tornado-Corn RNA aptamer system to create a Pol III-transcribed RNA that produces a detectable fluorescent signal when transcribed in human cells. To study the effects of RNA sequence and structure on Pol III termination, we systematically varied the sequence context upstream of the aptamer and identified sequence characteristics that enhance or diminish termination. For transcription from Pol III type 3 promoters, we found that only poly-U tracts longer than the average length found in the human genome efficiently terminate Pol III transcription without RNA secondary structure elements. We observed that RNA secondary structure elements placed in proximity to shorter poly-U tracts induced termination, and RNA secondary structure by itself was not sufficient to induce termination. For Pol III type 2 promoters, we found that the shorter poly-U tract lengths of 4 uracils were sufficient to induce termination. These findings demonstrate a key role for sequence and structural elements within Pol III-transcribed nascent RNA for efficient transcription termination, and demonstrate a generalizable assay for characterizing Pol III transcription in human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S Verosloff
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Graduate Program, Northwestern University, 2204 Tech Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - William K Corcoran
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Graduate Program, Northwestern University, 2204 Tech Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Taylor B Dolberg
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - David Z Bushhouse
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Graduate Program, Northwestern University, 2204 Tech Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Joshua N Leonard
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
| | - Julius B Lucks
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
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8
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Mishra S, Maraia RJ. RNA polymerase III subunits C37/53 modulate rU:dA hybrid 3' end dynamics during transcription termination. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:310-327. [PMID: 30407541 PMCID: PMC6326807 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky1109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA polymerase (RNAP) III synthesizes tRNAs and other transcripts, and mutations to its subunits cause human disorders. The RNAP III subunit-heterodimer C37/53 functions in initiation, elongation and in termination-associated reinitiation with subunit C11. C37/53 is related to heterodimers associated with RNAPs I and II, and C11 is related to TFIIS and Rpa12.2, the active site RNA 3' cleavage factors for RNAPs II and I. Critical to termination is stability of the RNA:DNA hybrid bound in the active center, which is loose for RNAP III relative to other RNAPs. Here, we examined RNAP III lacking C37/53/C11 and various reconstituted forms during termination. First, we established a minimal terminator as 5T and 3A on the non-template and template DNA strands, respectively. We demonstrate that C11 stimulates termination, and does so independently of its RNA cleavage activity. We found that C37/53 sensitizes RNAP III termination to RNA:DNA hybrid strength and promotes RNA 3' end pairing/annealing with the template. The latter counteracts C11-insensitive arrest in the proximal part of the oligo(T)-tract, promoting oligo(rU:dA) extension toward greater hybrid instability and RNA release. The data also indicate that RNA 3' end engagement with the active site is a determinant of termination. Broader implications are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saurabh Mishra
- Intramural Research Program of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Richard J Maraia
- Intramural Research Program of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Commissioned Corps, U.S. Public Health Service, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
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9
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Arimbasseri GA. Interactions between RNAP III transcription machinery and tRNA processing factors. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2018; 1861:354-360. [PMID: 29428193 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Eukaryotes have at least three nuclear RNA polymerases to carry out transcription. While RNA polymerases I and II are responsible for ribosomal RNA transcription and messenger RNA transcription, respectively, RNA Polymerase III transcribes approximately up to 300 nt long noncoding RNAs, including tRNA. For all three RNAPs, the nascent transcripts generated undergo extensive post-transcriptional processing. Transcription of mRNAs by RNAP II and their processing are coupled with the aid of the C-terminal domain of the RNAP II. RNAP I transcription and the processing of its transcripts are co-localized to the nucleolus and to some extent, rRNA processing occurs co-transcriptionally. Here, I review the current evidence for the interaction between tRNA processing factors and RNA polymerase III. These interactions include the moonlighting functions of tRNA processing factors in RNAP III transcription and the indirect effect of tRNA transcription levels on tRNA modification machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Aneeshkumar Arimbasseri
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India.
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10
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Gogakos T, Brown M, Garzia A, Meyer C, Hafner M, Tuschl T. Characterizing Expression and Processing of Precursor and Mature Human tRNAs by Hydro-tRNAseq and PAR-CLIP. Cell Rep 2017; 20:1463-1475. [PMID: 28793268 PMCID: PMC5564215 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Revised: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The participation of tRNAs in fundamental aspects of biology and disease necessitates an accurate, experimentally confirmed annotation of tRNA genes and curation of tRNA sequences. This has been challenging because RNA secondary structure, nucleotide modifications, and tRNA gene multiplicity complicate sequencing and mapping efforts. To address these issues, we developed hydro-tRNAseq, a method based on partial alkaline RNA hydrolysis that generates fragments amenable for sequencing. To identify transcribed tRNA genes, we further complemented this approach with photoactivatable crosslinking and immunoprecipitation (PAR-CLIP) of SSB/La, a conserved protein involved in pre-tRNA processing. Our results show that approximately half of all predicted tRNA genes are transcribed in human cells. We also report nucleotide modification sites and their order of introduction, and we identify tRNA leaders, trailers, and introns. By using complementary sequencing-based methodologies, we present a human tRNA atlas and determine expression levels of mature and processing intermediates of tRNAs in human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasos Gogakos
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Laboratory for RNA Molecular Biology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, Box 186, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Miguel Brown
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Laboratory for RNA Molecular Biology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, Box 186, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Aitor Garzia
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Laboratory for RNA Molecular Biology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, Box 186, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Cindy Meyer
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Laboratory for RNA Molecular Biology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, Box 186, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Markus Hafner
- Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation, National Institute for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, 50 South Drive, MSC 8024, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Thomas Tuschl
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Laboratory for RNA Molecular Biology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, Box 186, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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11
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Rijal K, Maraia RJ. Active Center Control of Termination by RNA Polymerase III and tRNA Gene Transcription Levels In Vivo. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1006253. [PMID: 27518095 PMCID: PMC4982682 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Accepted: 07/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of RNA polymerase (RNAP) III to efficiently recycle from termination to reinitiation is critical for abundant tRNA production during cellular proliferation, development and cancer. Yet understanding of the unique termination mechanisms used by RNAP III is incomplete, as is its link to high transcription output. We used two tRNA-mediated suppression systems to screen for Rpc1 mutants with gain- and loss- of termination phenotypes in S. pombe. 122 point mutation mutants were mapped to a recently solved 3.9 Å structure of yeast RNAP III elongation complex (EC); they cluster in the active center bridge helix and trigger loop, as well as the pore and funnel, the latter of which indicate involvement of the RNA cleavage domain of the C11 subunit in termination. Purified RNAP III from a readthrough (RT) mutant exhibits increased elongation rate. The data strongly support a kinetic coupling model in which elongation rate is inversely related to termination efficiency. The mutants exhibit good correlations of terminator RT in vitro and in vivo, and surprisingly, amounts of transcription in vivo. Because assessing in vivo transcription can be confounded by various parameters, we used a tRNA reporter with a processing defect and a strong terminator. By ruling out differences in RNA decay rates, the data indicate that mutants with the RT phenotype synthesize more RNA than wild type cells, and than can be accounted for by their increased elongation rate. Finally, increased activity by the mutants appears unrelated to the RNAP III repressor, Maf1. The results show that the mobile elements of the RNAP III active center, including C11, are key determinants of termination, and that some of the mutations activate RNAP III for overall transcription. Similar mutations in spontaneous cancer suggest this as an unforeseen mechanism of RNAP III activation in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keshab Rijal
- Intramural Research Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Richard J. Maraia
- Intramural Research Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
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12
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Porrua O, Boudvillain M, Libri D. Transcription Termination: Variations on Common Themes. Trends Genet 2016; 32:508-522. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2016.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2016] [Revised: 05/28/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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13
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Turowski TW, Leśniewska E, Delan-Forino C, Sayou C, Boguta M, Tollervey D. Global analysis of transcriptionally engaged yeast RNA polymerase III reveals extended tRNA transcripts. Genome Res 2016; 26:933-44. [PMID: 27206856 PMCID: PMC4937561 DOI: 10.1101/gr.205492.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
RNA polymerase III (RNAPIII) synthesizes a range of highly abundant small stable RNAs, principally pre-tRNAs. Here we report the genome-wide analysis of nascent transcripts attached to RNAPIII under permissive and restrictive growth conditions. This revealed strikingly uneven polymerase distributions across transcription units, generally with a predominant 5' peak. This peak was higher for more heavily transcribed genes, suggesting that initiation site clearance is rate-limiting during RNAPIII transcription. Down-regulation of RNAPIII transcription under stress conditions was found to be uneven; a subset of tRNA genes showed low response to nutrient shift or loss of the major transcription regulator Maf1, suggesting potential "housekeeping" roles. Many tRNA genes were found to generate long, 3'-extended forms due to read-through of the canonical poly(U) terminators. The degree of read-through was anti-correlated with the density of U-residues in the nascent tRNA, and multiple, functional terminators can be located far downstream. The steady-state levels of 3'-extended pre-tRNA transcripts are low, apparently due to targeting by the nuclear surveillance machinery, especially the RNA binding protein Nab2, cofactors for the nuclear exosome, and the 5'-exonuclease Rat1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz W Turowski
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, Scotland; Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-664 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Leśniewska
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Clementine Delan-Forino
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, Scotland
| | - Camille Sayou
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, Scotland
| | - Magdalena Boguta
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - David Tollervey
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, Scotland
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14
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Arimbasseri AG, Maraia RJ. A high density of cis-information terminates RNA Polymerase III on a 2-rail track. RNA Biol 2015; 13:166-71. [PMID: 26636900 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2015.1116677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription termination delineates the 3' ends of transcripts, prevents otherwise runaway RNA polymerase (RNAP) from intruding into downstream genes and regulatory elements, and enables release of the RNAP for recycling. While other eukaryotic RNAPs require complex cis-signals and/or accessory factors to achieve these activities, RNAP III does so autonomously with high efficiency and precision at a simple oligo(dT) stretch of 5-6 bp. A basis for this high density cis-information is that both template and nontemplate strands of the RNAP III terminator carry distinct signals for different stages of termination. High-density cis-information is a feature of the RNAP III system that is also reflected by dual functionalities of the tRNA promoters as both DNA and RNA elements. We review emerging developments in RNAP III termination and single strand nontemplate DNA use by other RNAPs. Use of nontemplate signals by RNAPs and associated transcription factors may be prevalent in gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneeshkumar G Arimbasseri
- a Intramural Research Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development , Bethesda , MD , USA
| | - Richard J Maraia
- a Intramural Research Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development , Bethesda , MD , USA.,b Commissioned Corps, U. S. Public Health Service , Washington, DC
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15
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Abstract
Bacteria lack subcellular compartments and harbor a single RNA polymerase that synthesizes both structural and protein-coding RNAs, which are cotranscriptionally processed by distinct pathways. Nascent rRNAs fold into elaborate secondary structures and associate with ribosomal proteins, whereas nascent mRNAs are translated by ribosomes. During elongation, nucleic acid signals and regulatory proteins modulate concurrent RNA-processing events, instruct RNA polymerase where to pause and terminate transcription, or act as roadblocks to the moving enzyme. Communications among complexes that carry out transcription, translation, repair, and other cellular processes ensure timely execution of the gene expression program and survival under conditions of stress. This network is maintained by auxiliary proteins that act as bridges between RNA polymerase, ribosome, and repair enzymes, blurring boundaries between separate information-processing steps and making assignments of unique regulatory functions meaningless. Understanding the regulation of transcript elongation thus requires genome-wide approaches, which confirm known and reveal new regulatory connections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Irina Artsimovitch
- Department of Microbiology and Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210;
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Arimbasseri AG, Maraia RJ. Mechanism of Transcription Termination by RNA Polymerase III Utilizes a Non-template Strand Sequence-Specific Signal Element. Mol Cell 2015; 58:1124-32. [PMID: 25959395 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2015.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2015] [Revised: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanism of transcription termination by a eukaryotic RNA polymerase (RNAP) has been limited by lack of a characterizable intermediate that reflects transition from an elongation complex to a true termination event. While other multisubunit RNAPs require multipartite cis-signals and/or ancillary factors to mediate pausing and release of the nascent transcript from the clutches of these enzymes, RNAP III does so with precision and efficiency on a simple oligo(dT) tract, independent of other cis-elements or trans-factors. We report an RNAP III pre-termination complex that reveals termination mechanisms controlled by sequence-specific elements in the non-template strand. Furthermore, the TFIIF-like RNAP III subunit C37 is required for this function of the non-template strand signal. The results reveal the RNAP III terminator as an information-rich control element. While the template strand promotes destabilization via a weak oligo(rU:dA) hybrid, the non-template strand provides distinct sequence-specific destabilizing information through interactions with the C37 subunit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneeshkumar G Arimbasseri
- Intramural Research Program of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Richard J Maraia
- Intramural Research Program of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Commissioned Corps, US Public Health Service.
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17
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Rijal K, Maraia RJ, Arimbasseri AG. A methods review on use of nonsense suppression to study 3' end formation and other aspects of tRNA biogenesis. Gene 2014; 556:35-50. [PMID: 25447915 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2014.11.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Revised: 11/13/2014] [Accepted: 11/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Suppressor tRNAs bear anticodon mutations that allow them to decode premature stop codons in metabolic marker gene mRNAs, that can be used as in vivo reporters of functional tRNA biogenesis. Here, we review key components of a suppressor tRNA system specific to Schizosaccharomyces pombe and its adaptations for use to study specific steps in tRNA biogenesis. Eukaryotic tRNA biogenesis begins with transcription initiation by RNA polymerase (pol) III. The nascent pre-tRNAs must undergo folding, 5' and 3' processing to remove the leader and trailer, nuclear export, and splicing if applicable, while multiple complex chemical modifications occur throughout the process. We review evidence that precursor-tRNA processing begins with transcription termination at the oligo(T) terminator element, which forms a 3' oligo(U) tract on the nascent RNA, a sequence-specific binding site for the RNA chaperone, La protein. The processing pathway bifurcates depending on a poorly understood property of pol III termination that determines the 3' oligo(U) length and therefore the affinity for La. We thus review the pol III termination process and the factors involved including advances using gene-specific random mutagenesis by dNTP analogs that identify key residues important for transcription termination in certain pol III subunits. The review ends with a 'technical approaches' section that includes a parts lists of suppressor-tRNA alleles, strains and plasmids, and graphic examples of its diverse uses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keshab Rijal
- Intramural Research Program on Genomics of Differentiation, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Richard J Maraia
- Intramural Research Program on Genomics of Differentiation, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Aneeshkumar G Arimbasseri
- Intramural Research Program on Genomics of Differentiation, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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18
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Roy-Engel AM. Meeting report for "OddPols" 2014: the odds invite an even. Gene 2014; 556:1-6. [PMID: 25445280 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2014.10.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The Ninth International Biennial Conference on RNA Polymerases I and III (the "OddPols") was held on June 19-21, 2014 at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA. Sponsored by New England Biolabs, the Cayman Chemical Company, the Rackham Graduate School and the University of Michigan Health System, and organized by David Engelke, Craig Pikaard, Lawrence Rothblum, Andrzej Wierzbicki and Astrid Engel. This year at the conference, the "odds" were increased by expanding the usual topics on the advances in RNA polymerases I and III research to include presentations on RNA polymerase IV and V. The keynote speaker, Craig Pikaard, opened the meeting with his presentation entitled "Five nuclear multisubunit RNA polymerases". The meeting drew attendees from fourteen countries that shared their research discoveries through oral and poster presentations. The talks were organized into 11 sessions covering seven distinct topics. Here we present some of the highlights from the meeting using summaries provided by the participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid M Roy-Engel
- Tulane Cancer Center, Dept. of Epidemiology, and Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium (LCRC), 1430 Tulane Ave, SL-66, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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Nielsen S, Zenkin N. Transcription. Response to Comment on "Mechanism of eukaryotic RNA polymerase III transcription termination". Science 2014; 345:524. [PMID: 25082695 DOI: 10.1126/science.1254246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Arimbasseri et al., in their Comment, suggest that to terminate transcription in vivo, RNA polymerase III uses a mechanism other than hairpin-dependent termination and that properties of purified polymerase may depend on preparation procedure. Evidence suggests that our preparation is indeed different from that of other methods. Our new data suggest that, apart from hairpin-dependent termination, one or more "fail-safe" termination mechanisms may exist in the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soren Nielsen
- Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Baddiley-Clark Building, Richardson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4AX, UK
| | - Nikolay Zenkin
- Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Baddiley-Clark Building, Richardson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4AX, UK.
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