Regulation of the RNAPII Pool Is Integral to the DNA Damage Response.

In response to transcription-blocking DNA damage, cells orchestrate a multi-pronged reaction, involving transcription-coupled DNA repair, degradation of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII), and genome-wide transcription shutdown. Here, we provide insight into how these responses are connected by the finding that ubiquitylation of RNAPII itself, at a single lysine (RPB1 K), is the focal point for DNA-damage-response coordination. K ubiquitylation affects DNA repair and signals RNAPII degradation, essential for surviving genotoxic insult.

Analysis of RNA polymerase II ubiquitylation and proteasomal degradation.

Transcribing RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) is decorated by a plethora of post-translational modifications that mark different stages of transcription. One important modification is RNAPII ubiquitylation, which occurs in response to numerous different stimuli that cause RNAPII stalling, such as DNA damaging agents, RNAPII inhibitors, or depletion of the nucleotide pool. Stalled RNAPII triggers a so-called "last resort pathway", which involves RNAPII poly-ubiquitylation and proteasome-mediated degradation.

Proteasome-mediated processing of Def1, a critical step in the cellular response to transcription stress.

DNA damage triggers polyubiquitylation and degradation of the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII), a "mechanism of last resort" employed during transcription stress. In yeast, this process is dependent on Def1 through a previously unresolved mechanism. Here, we report that Def1 becomes activated through ubiquitylation- and proteasome-dependent processing.

Ubiquitylation and degradation of elongating RNA polymerase II: the last resort.

During its journey across a gene, RNA polymerase II has to contend with a number of obstacles to its progression, including nucleosomes, DNA-binding proteins, DNA damage, and sequences that are intrinsically difficult to transcribe. Not surprisingly, a large number of elongation factors have evolved to ensure that transcription stalling or arrest does not occur. If, however, the polymerase cannot be restarted, it becomes poly-ubiquitylated and degraded by the proteasome.

Distinct ubiquitin ligases act sequentially for RNA polymerase II polyubiquitylation.

The proteasome degrades proteins modified by polyubiquitylation, so correctly controlled ubiquitylation is crucial to avoid unscheduled proteolysis of essential proteins. The mechanism regulating proteolysis of RNAPII has been controversial since two distinct ubiquitin ligases (E3s), Rsp5 (and its human homologue NEDD4) and Elongin-Cullin complex, have both been shown to be required for its DNA-damage-induced polyubiquitylation. Here we show that these E3s work sequentially in a two-step mechanism.

A role for checkpoint kinase-dependent Rad26 phosphorylation in transcription-coupled DNA repair in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Upon DNA damage, eukaryotic cells activate a conserved signal transduction cascade known as the DNA damage checkpoint (DDC). We investigated the influence of DDC kinases on nucleotide excision repair (NER) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and found that repair of both strands of an active gene is affected by Mec1 but not by the downstream checkpoint kinases, Rad53 and Chk1. Repair of the nontranscribed strand (by global genome repair) requires new protein synthesis, possibly reflecting the involvement of Mec1 in the activation of repair genes.

Structure of the N-terminal Mlp1-binding domain of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae mRNA-binding protein, Nab2.

Nuclear abundant poly(A) RNA-binding protein 2 (Nab2) is an essential yeast heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein that modulates both mRNA nuclear export and poly(A) tail length. The N-terminal domain of Nab2 (residues 1-97) mediates interactions with both the C-terminal globular domain of the nuclear pore-associated protein, myosin-like protein 1 (Mlp1), and the mRNA export factor, Gfd1. The solution and crystal structures of the Nab2 N-terminal domain show a primarily helical fold that is analogous to the PWI fold found in several other RNA-binding proteins.

An interaction between two RNA binding proteins, Nab2 and Pub1, links mRNA processing/export and mRNA stability.

mRNA stability is modulated by elements in the mRNA transcript and their cognate RNA binding proteins. Poly(U) binding protein 1 (Pub1) is a cytoplasmic Saccharomyces cerevisiae mRNA binding protein that stabilizes transcripts containing AU-rich elements (AREs) or stabilizer elements (STEs). In a yeast two-hybrid screen, we identified nuclear poly(A) binding protein 2 (Nab2) as being a Pub1-interacting protein.

Actively transcribed GAL genes can be physically linked to the nuclear pore by the SAGA chromatin modifying complex.

Recent work has demonstrated that some actively transcribed genes closely associate with nuclear pore complexes (NPC) at the nuclear periphery. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mlp1 and Mlp2 proteins are components of the inner nuclear basket of the nuclear pore that mediate interactions with these active genes. To investigate the physical link between the NPC and active loci, we identified proteins that interact with the carboxyl-terminal globular domain of Mlp1 by tandem affinity purification coupled with mass spectrometry.

Nuclear localization signal receptor affinity correlates with in vivo localization in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Nuclear localization signals (NLSs) target proteins into the nucleus through mediating interactions with nuclear import receptors. Here, we perform a quantitative analysis of the correlation between NLS receptor affinity and the steady-state distribution of NLS-bearing cargo proteins between the cytoplasm and the nucleus of live yeast, which reflects the relative import rates of various NLS sequences. We find that there is a complicated, but monotonic quantitative relationship between the affinity of an NLS for the import receptor, importin alpha, and the steady-state accumulation of the cargo in the nucleus.

Importin alpha: a multipurpose nuclear-transport receptor.

The importin alpha/beta heterodimer targets hundreds of proteins to the nuclear-pore complex (NPC) and facilitates their translocation across the nuclear envelope. Importin alpha binds to classical nuclear localization signal (cNLS)-containing proteins and links them to importin beta, the karyopherin that ferries the ternary complex through the NPC. A second karyopherin, the exportin CAS, recycles importin alpha back to the cytoplasm.

A hierarchy of nuclear localization signals governs the import of the regulatory factor X complex subunits and MHC class II expression.

Comprised of RFX5, RFXAP, and RFX-B/ANK, the regulatory factor X (RFX) complex is an obligate transcription factor required for the expression of MHC class II genes. RFX functions by binding to the conserved X1 box sequence located upstream of all MHC class II genes. Using a mutagenesis scheme and a yeast heterologous reporter system, the mechanism by which the RFX complex is transported into the nucleus was examined.

Regulation of nuclear import by phosphorylation adjacent to nuclear localization signals.

Many important regulatory proteins, including cell cycle regulators and transcription factors, contain a phosphorylation site within or adjacent to a classic nuclear localization signal (NLS) sequence. Previous studies show that the nuclear localization of these cargoes can be regulated by phosphorylation at these sites. It was hypothesized that this phosphorylation regulates the nuclear import of NLS cargo proteins by modulating the interaction of the cargo with the classic nuclear transport receptor, importin alpha.

Structural basis for Nup2p function in cargo release and karyopherin recycling in nuclear import.

The yeast nucleoporin Nup2p is associated primarily with the nuclear basket of nuclear pore complexes and is required for efficient importin-alpha:beta-mediated nuclear protein import as well as efficient nuclear export of Kap60p/importin-alpha. Residues 1-51 of Nup2p bind tightly to Kap60p and are required for Nup2p function in vivo. We have determined the 2.

Dissection of the karyopherin alpha nuclear localization signal (NLS)-binding groove: functional requirements for NLS binding.

Classical protein import, mediated by the binding of a classical nuclear localization signal (NLS) to the NLS receptor, karyopherin/importin alpha, is the most well studied nuclear transport process. Classical NLSs are either monopartite sequences that contain a single cluster of basic amino acids (Lys/Arg) or bipartite sequences that contain two clusters of basic residues separated by an unconserved linker region. We have created mutations in conserved residues in each of the three NLS-binding sites/regions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae karyopherin alpha (SRP1).

Characterization of the auto-inhibitory sequence within the N-terminal domain of importin alpha.

Protein cargoes that contain a classic nuclear localization signal (NLS) are transported into the nucleus through binding to a heterodimeric receptor comprised of importin/karyopherin alpha and beta. An evolutionarily conserved auto-inhibitory sequence within the N-terminal importin beta binding (IBB) domain of importin alpha regulates NLS-cargo binding to the NLS binding pocket on importin alpha. In this study, we have used site-directed mutagenesis coupled with in vitro binding assays and in vivo analyses to investigate the intramolecular interaction of the N-terminal IBB domain and the NLS binding pocket of Saccharomyces cerevisiae importin alpha, Srp1p.

The auto-inhibitory function of importin alpha is essential in vivo.

Proteins that contain a classical nuclear localization signal (NLS) are recognized in the cytoplasm by a heterodimeric import receptor composed of importin/karyopherin alpha and beta. The importin alpha subunit recognizes classical NLS sequences, and the importin beta subunit directs the complex to the nuclear pore. Recent work shows that the N-terminal importin beta binding (IBB) domain of importin alpha regulates NLS-cargo binding in the absence of importin beta in vitro.

Importin alpha can migrate into the nucleus in an importin beta- and Ran-independent manner.

A classical nuclear localization signal (NLS)-containing protein is transported into the nucleus via the formation of a NLS-substrate/importin alpha/beta complex. In this study, we found that importin alpha migrated into the nucleus without the addition of importin beta, Ran or any other soluble factors in an in vitro transport assay. A mutant importin alpha lacking the importin beta-binding domain efficiently entered the nucleus.