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U1 snRNA associates with TFIIH and regulates transcriptional initiation

U1 snRNA associates with TFIIH and regulates transcriptional initiation Diverse classes of noncoding RNA, including small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs), play fundamental regulatory roles at many stages of gene expression. For example, recent studies have implicated 7SK RNA and components of the splicing apparatus in the regulation of transcriptional elongation. Here we present the first evidence of the involvement of an snRNA in the regulation of transcriptional initiation. We demonstrate that TFIIH, a general transcription initiation factor, specifically associates with U1 snRNA, a core-splicing component. Analysis of the TFIIH-dependent stages of transcription in a reconstituted system demonstrates that U1 stimulates the rate of formation of the first phosphodiester bond by RNA polymerase II. In addition, a promoter-proximal 5′ splice site recognized by U1 snRNA stimulates TFIIH-dependent reinitiation of productive transcription. Our results suggest that U1 snRNA functions in regulating transcription by RNA Polymerase II in addition to its role in RNA processing. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Nature Structural & Molecular Biology Springer Journals

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References (30)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 2002 by Nature Publishing Group
Subject
Life Sciences; Life Sciences, general; Biochemistry, general; Protein Structure; Membrane Biology; Biological Microscopy
ISSN
1545-9993
eISSN
1545-9985
DOI
10.1038/nsb862
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Diverse classes of noncoding RNA, including small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs), play fundamental regulatory roles at many stages of gene expression. For example, recent studies have implicated 7SK RNA and components of the splicing apparatus in the regulation of transcriptional elongation. Here we present the first evidence of the involvement of an snRNA in the regulation of transcriptional initiation. We demonstrate that TFIIH, a general transcription initiation factor, specifically associates with U1 snRNA, a core-splicing component. Analysis of the TFIIH-dependent stages of transcription in a reconstituted system demonstrates that U1 stimulates the rate of formation of the first phosphodiester bond by RNA polymerase II. In addition, a promoter-proximal 5′ splice site recognized by U1 snRNA stimulates TFIIH-dependent reinitiation of productive transcription. Our results suggest that U1 snRNA functions in regulating transcription by RNA Polymerase II in addition to its role in RNA processing.

Journal

Nature Structural & Molecular BiologySpringer Journals

Published: Oct 21, 2002

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