Myb-binding protein 1a (Mybbp1a) regulates levels and processing of pre-ribosomal RNA.

Ribosomal RNA gene transcription, co-transcriptional processing, and ribosome biogenesis are highly coordinated processes that are tightly regulated during cell growth. In this study we discovered that Mybbp1a is associated with both the RNA polymerase I complex and the ribosome biogenesis machinery. Using a reporter assay that uncouples transcription and RNA processing, we show that Mybbp1a represses rRNA gene transcription.

Defects in 18 S or 28 S rRNA processing activate the p53 pathway.

The p53 tumor suppressor pathway is activated by defective ribosome synthesis. Ribosomal proteins are released from the nucleolus and block human double minute-2 (Hdm2) that targets p53 for degradation. However, it remained elusive how abrogation of individual rRNA processing pathways contributes to p53 stabilization.

A 'loop recapture' mechanism for ACF-dependent nucleosome remodeling.

The ATPase ISWI is the molecular motor of several nucleosome remodeling complexes including ACF. We analyzed the ACF-nucleosome interactions and determined the characteristics of ACF-dependent nucleosome remodeling. In contrast to ISWI, ACF interacts symmetrically with DNA entry sites of the nucleosome.