Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “TFIIIC”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

DNA topoisomerase I and PC4 can interact with human TFIIIC to promote both accurate termination and transcription reinitiation by RNA polymerase III.

A human TFIIIC-containing complex (operationally designated holo TFIIIC) has been isolated by immunoaffinity methods and further resolved into two components that are both required for promoter-directed transcription of the VA1 gene. One component, designated TFIIIC, contains 5 polypeptides previously ascribed to TFIIIC2 and 4 additional polypeptides that correspond to TFIIIC1. Included within the other component are factors, namely DNA topoisomerase I and PC4, previously shown to serve as coactivators for transcription by RNA polymerase II. Topoisomerase I and PC4 both enhance TFIIIC interactions with down-stream promoter regions and promote multiple, but not single, round transcription by RNA polymerase III from preformed preinitiation complexes. Novel functions for holo TFIIIC in transcription elongation and accurate termination events that could be important for efficient reinitiation are also described.

Coenzymes↗

The TFIIIB-assembling subunit of yeast transcription factor TFIIIC has both tetratricopeptide repeats and basic helix-loop-helix motifs.

The multisubunit yeast transcription factor IIIC (TFIIIC; also called tau) can undergo considerable conformational changes upon binding to the A and B blocks of tRNA genes. After binding to DNA encoding tRNA (tDNA), TFIIIC acts as an assembly factor to recruit an initiation factor, TFIIIB, via its tau 131 subunit. We have cloned the gene encoding the tau 131 subunit and named it TFC4. This gene is unique, essential for cell viability, and encodes a M(r) 120,153 protein. Epitope-tagging and mobility-shift assays indicated the presence of a single tau 131 subunit in TFIIIC-tDNA complexes. tau 131 contains two sequence motifs, accounting for nearly one-half of the protein mass, that may provide a molecular explanation for the properties of TFIIIC-tDNA complex. A series of 11 copies of the tetratricopeptide repeat motif may account for the flexibility and interaction properties of TFIIIC. A motif akin to the basic helix-loop-helix motif of MyoD suggests the direct involvement of tau 131 in promoting DNA binding of TFIIIB.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Interaction of Xenopus TFIIIC with a 5S RNA gene.

Using fractionated Xenopus transcription factors we have identified and characterized a unique protein-DNA complex formed between TFIIIA, TFIIIC and a 5S RNA gene. The formation of this complex was blocked by specific competitor DNAs and by the inactivation of TFIIIC using two different methods. In addition, TFIIIC activity was retained when the complexes were affinity purified using a reversibly immobilized DNA template. The TFIII(A+C)-5S RNA gene complex has a distinct electrophoretic mobility on band-shift gels and a unique DNase I footprint. The characteristic feature of the DNase I footprint is a TFIIIC-dependent extension of the TFIIIA footprint an additional 25 bp toward the 5' end of the gene. This indicates a direct interaction between Xenopus TFIIIC and the template DNA.

Animals↗

TFIIIB placement on a yeast U6 RNA gene in vivo is directed primarily by TFIIIC rather than by sequence-specific DNA contacts.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae U6 RNA gene (SNR6), which is transcribed by RNA polymerase III, has an unusual combination of promoter elements: an upstream TATA box, an intragenic A block, and a downstream B block. In tRNA genes, the A and B blocks are binding sites for the transcription initiation factor TFIIIC, which positions TFIIIB a fixed distance upstream of the A block. However, in vitro transcription of SNR6 with purified components requires neither TFIIIC nor the A and B blocks, presumably because TFIIIB recognizes the upstream sequences directly. Here we demonstrate that TFIIIB placement on SNR6 in vivo is directed primarily by the TFIIIC-binding elements rather than by upstream sequences. We show that the A block is a stronger start site determinant than the upstream sequences when the two are uncoupled by an insertion mutation. Furthermore, while TFIIIC-independent in vitro transcription of SNR6 is highly sensitive to TATA box point mutations, in vivo initiation on SNR6 is only marginally sensitive to such mutations unless the A block is mutated. Intriguingly, a deletion downstream of the U6 RNA coding region that reduces A-to-B block spacing also increases in vivo dependence on the TATA box. Moreover, this deletion results in the appearance of micrococcal nuclease-hypersensitive sites in the TFIIIB chromatin footprint, indicating that TFIIIB binding is disrupted by a mutation 150 bp distant. This and additional chromatin footprinting data suggest that SNR6 is assembled into a nucleoprotein complex that facilitates the TFIIIC-dependent binding of TFIIIB.

Base Sequence↗

Human TFIIIC relieves chromatin-mediated repression of RNA polymerase III transcription and contains an intrinsic histone acetyltransferase activity.

Human TFIIIC is a multisubunit factor that is essential for transcription by RNA polymerase III on tRNA and virus-associated RNA genes and initiates preinitiation complex assembly by direct recognition of promoter elements. We show that highly purified TFIIIC, at concentrations above those sufficient for transcription of naked DNA templates, effectively relieves nucleosome-mediated repression on an in vitro-reconstituted chromatin template. Highly purified TFIIIC alone can bind to the A and B boxes of a tRNA gene within a chromatin template and, further, displays a histone acetyltransferase activity that is intrinsic to at least one (and probably three) of its subunits. The possibility of a direct link between TFIIIC-dependent chromatin transcription and acetyltransferase activities is suggested by the partial loss of these activities, but not DNA transcription activity, following pretreatment of TFIIIC with p-hydroxymercuribenzoic acid.

Acetyltransferases↗

Xenopus transcription factor IIIC (TFIIIC) specifically interacts with the "B" block region of the TFIIIA gene.

Transcription factors IIIC (TFIIIC), TFIIIB and RNA polymerase III are commonly required for class III gene transcription in vitro. To understand the diversity and specificity of Xenopus TFIIIC, we have further characterized this factor. Our analyses indicate that a partially purified TFIIIC fraction contains an activity which specifically recognizes the "B" block element of TFIIIA gene. Stable complex formation assays with HeLa cell extracts demonstrate that the TFIIIA gene can stably sequester TFIIIC. off

Animals↗

Expression, proteolytic analysis, reconstitution, and crystallization of the tau60/tau91 subcomplex of yeast TFIIIC.

The transcription factor IIIC (TFIIIC) is a multisubunit DNA-binding factor required for promoter recognition and TFIIIB assembly on tRNA genes transcribed by RNA polymerase III. Yeast TFIIIC consists of six subunits, organized in the two globular subcomplexes tauA and tauB, which recognize two internal tDNA promoter elements, the A and the B block, respectively. As a first step toward a detailed structural analysis of TFIIIC, we report here the expression, proteolytic analysis, reconstitution, and crystallization of the complex between yeast TFIIIC subunits tau91 and tau60. Proteolysis provided an insight into the domain structure of tau60 and tau91. Both the proteins form a stable complex that does not require an N-terminal, protease-sensitive extension of tau91. Crystals diffracting beyond 3.2 A were obtained from a complex formed by full-length tau60 and the N-terminally truncated form of tau91 lacking this extension.

Crystallization↗

In vitro evidence for growth regulation of tRNA gene transcription in yeast. A role for transcription factor (TF) IIIB70 and TFIIIC.

We report in vitro studies showing that tRNA gene transcription in yeast is down-regulated during the transition from logarithmic to stationary phase growth. Transcription in a postdiauxic (early stationary) phase extract of a wild-type strain decreased 3-fold relative to a log phase extract. This growth stage-related difference in transcription was amplified to 20-fold in extracts of a strain containing a mutation (pcf1-4) in the 131-kDa subunit of TFIIIC. The reduction in transcription activity in both wild-type and mutant postdiauxic phase extracts was correlated with a decrease in the amount of TFIIIB70, the limiting factor in these extracts. However, the 3.7 +/- 0.5-fold decrease in amount of TFIIIB70 in mutant extracts does not, by itself, account for the 20-fold decrease in transcription. Accordingly, transcription in the mutant postdiauxic phase extract could be reconstituted to a level equal to the mutant log phase extract by the addition of two components, TFIIIB70 and TFIIIC. Addition of TFIIIB70 increased transcription 10-fold, while a 2-fold effect of TFIIIC was seen at saturating levels of TFIIIB70. The data suggest that both TFIIIB70 and TFIIIC play a role in coordinating the level of polymerase III transcription with cell growth rate.

Chromatography, Affinity↗

A minimal promoter for TFIIIC-dependent in vitro transcription of snoRNA and tRNA genes by RNA polymerase III.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae SNR52 gene is unique among the snoRNA coding genes in being transcribed by RNA polymerase III. The primary transcript of SNR52 is a 250-nucleotide precursor RNA from which a long leader sequence is cleaved to generate the mature snR52 RNA. We found that the box A and box B sequence elements in the leader region are both required for the in vivo accumulation of the snoRNA. As expected box B, but not box A, was absolutely required for stable TFIIIC, yet in vitro. Surprisingly, however, the box B was found to be largely dispensable for in vitro transcription of SNR52, whereas the box A-mutated template effectively recruited TFIIIB; yet it was transcriptionally inactive. Even in the complete absence of box B and both upstream TATA-like and T-rich elements, the box A still directed efficient, TFIIIC-dependent transcription. Box B-independent transcription was also observed for two members of the tRNA(Asn)(GTT) gene family, but not for two tRNA(Pro)(AGG) gene copies. Fully recombinant TFIIIC supported box B-independent transcription of both SNR52 and tRNA(Asn) genes, but only in the presence of TFIIIB reconstituted with a crude B'' fraction. Non-TFIIIB component(s) in this fraction were also required for transcription of wild-type SNR52. Transcription of the box B-less tRNA(Asn) genes was strongly influenced by their 5'-flanking regions, and it was stimulated by TBP and Brf1 proteins synergistically. The box A can thus be viewed as a core TFIIIC-interacting element that, assisted by upstream TFIIIB-DNA contacts, is sufficient to promote class III gene transcription.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

A test of the model that RNA polymerase III transcription is regulated by selective induction of the 110 kDa subunit of TFIIIC.

TFIIIC is a RNA polymerase (pol) III-specific DNA-binding factor that is required for transcription of tRNA and 5S rRNA genes. Active human TFIIIC consists of five subunits. However, an inactive form has also been isolated that lacks one of the five subunits, called TFIIIC110. A model was proposed in which pol III transcription might be regulated by the specific induction of TFIIIC110, allowing formation of active TFIIIC from the inactive form. We have tested this model by transient transfection of HeLa and HEK293 cells with a vector expressing TFIIIC110. We have also made stably transfected HeLa cell lines that carry a doxycycline-inducible version of the cDNA for TFIIIC110. We show that the induced TFIIIC110 enters the nucleus, binds other TFIIIC subunits and is recruited to tRNA and 5S rRNA genes in vivo. However, little or no effect is seen on the expression of pol III transcripts. The data argue against the model that pol III transcription can be effectively modulated through the specific induction of TFIIIC110.

Cell Line↗

The TFIIIC90 subunit of TFIIIC interacts with multiple components of the RNA polymerase III machinery and contains a histone-specific acetyltransferase activity.

Human transcription factor IIIC (hTFIIIC) is a multisubunit complex that directly recognizes promoter elements and recruits TFIIIB and RNA polymerase III. Here we describe the cDNA cloning and characterization of the 90-kDa subunit (hTFIIIC90) that is present within a DNA-binding subcomplex (TFIIIC2) of TFIIIC. hTFIIIC90 has no specific homology to any of the known yeast TFIIIC subunits. Immunodepletion and immunoprecipitation studies indicate that hTFIIIC90 is a bona fide subunit of TFIIIC2 and absolutely required for RNA polymerase III transcription. hTFIIIC90 shows interactions with the hTFIIIC220, hTFIIIC110, and hTFIIIC63 subunits of TFIIIC, the hTFIIIB90 subunit of TFIIIB, and the human RPC39 (hRPC39) and hRPC62 subunits of an initiation-specific subcomplex of RNA polymerase III. These interactions may facilitate both TFIIIB and RNA polymerase III recruitment to the preinitiation complex by TFIIIC. We show that hTFIIIC90 has an intrinsic histone acetyltransferase activity with a substrate specificity for histone H3.

Acetylation↗

A subunit of yeast TFIIIC participates in the recruitment of TATA-binding protein.

TFIIIC plays a key role in nucleating the assembly of the initiation factor TFIIIB on class III genes. We have characterized an essential gene, TFC8, encoding the 60-kDa polypeptide, tau60, present in affinity-purified TFIIIC. Hemagglutinin-tagged variants of tau60 were found to be part of TFIIIC-tDNA complexes and to reside at least in part in the downstream DNA-binding domain tauB. Unexpectedly, the thermosensitive phenotype of N-terminally tagged tau60 was suppressed by overexpression of tau95, which belongs to the tauA domain, and by two TFIIIB components, TATA-binding protein (TBP) and B"/TFIIIB90 (but not by TFIIIB70). Mutant TFIIIC was deficient in the activation of certain tRNA genes in vitro, and the transcription defect was selectively alleviated by increasing TBP concentration. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments support a direct interaction between TBP and tau60. It is suggested that tau60 links tauA and tauB domains and participates in TFIIIB assembly via its interaction with TBP.

DNA-Binding Proteins↗

Multiple roles of the tau131 subunit of yeast transcription factor IIIC (TFIIIC) in TFIIIB assembly.

Yeast transcription factor IIIC (TFIIIC) plays a key role in assembling the transcription initiation factor TFIIIB on class III genes after TFIIIC-DNA binding. The second largest subunit of TFIIIC, tau131, is thought to initiate TFIIIB assembly by interacting with Brf1/TFIIIB70. In this work, we have analyzed a TFIIIC mutant (tau131-DeltaTPR2) harboring a deletion in tau131 removing the second of its 11 tetratricopeptide repeats. Remarkably, this thermosensitive mutation was selectively suppressed in vivo by overexpression of B"/TFIIIB90, but not Brf1 or TATA-binding protein. In vitro, the mutant factor preincubated at restrictive temperature bound DNA efficiently but lost transcription factor activity. The in vitro transcription defect was abolished at high concentrations of B" but not Brf1. Copurification experiments of baculovirus-expressed proteins confirmed a direct physical interaction between tau131 and B". tau131, therefore, appears to be involved in the recruitment of both Brf1 and B".

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Cloning of TFC1, the Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene encoding the 95-kDa subunit of transcription factor TFIIIC.

The yeast gene encoding the 95-kDa subunit of the class III gene transcription factor TFIIIC was cloned. This gene, termed TFC1 (transcription factor C, gene 1), was isolated by screening a lambda gt11 yeast cDNA expression library using a polyclonal antiserum preparation which was previously shown to specifically recognize the 95-kDa subunit of yeast TFIIIC (Parsons, M. C., and Weil, P. A. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 5095-5103). TFC1 was found to be a single copy gene which contained a continuous open reading frame about 2 kilobases in length. TFC1 was shown to encode the 95-kDa subunit of TFIIIC by several criteria. Like the authentic yeast protein, the protein encoded by TFC1 had an apparent molecular weight of 95,000. In addition, the protein encoded by the TFC1 gene bound to the same antibody species as the yeast 95-kDa subunit of TFIIIC. Last, the sizes of the cleavage products of the Escherichia coli-expressed protein were indistinguishable from those of the cleavage products of the bona fide yeast 95-kDa protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Transcription fraction TFIIIC can regulate differential Xenopus 5S RNA gene transcription in vitro.

An extract of whole oocytes (oocyte S150) differentially transcribes Xenopus oocyte and somatic 5S RNA genes. In the oocyte S150, transcription complexes with different stabilities are assembled onto oocyte and somatic 5S DNA. The stability of the transcription complex is dependent on activities present in a fraction containing transcription factor TFIIIC. This fraction stabilizes the binding of the positive transcription factor TFIIIA to a somatic 5S RNA gene much more efficiently than it does to an oocyte gene. The oocyte S150 transcription extract is deficient in TFIIIC such that supplementation with a fraction enriched in this transcription factor selectively stimulates oocyte 5S DNA transcription. Previously it has been shown that an egg extract deficient in TFIIIA selectively transcribes somatic 5S RNA genes. Thus under conditions where there is differential stability of transcription complexes, limitation of either TFIIIA or TFIIIC may exaggerate the differential expression of two genes.

Animals↗

S. cerevisiae TFIIIB is the transcription initiation factor proper of RNA polymerase III, while TFIIIA and TFIIIC are assembly factors.

The S. cerevisiae RNA polymerase III (pol III) transcription factor TFIIIB binds to DNA upstream of the transcription start site of the SUP4 tRNA(Tyr) gene in a TFIIIC-dependent reaction and to the major 5S rRNA gene in a reaction requiring TFIIIC and TFIIIA. It is shown here that TFIIIB alone correctly positions pol III for repeated cycles of transcription on both genes, with the same efficiency as fully assembled transcription complexes. Thus, TFIIIB is the sole transcription initiation factor of S. cerevisiae pol III; TFIIIC and TFIIIA are assembly factors for TFIIIB. The TFIIIB-dependent binding of pol III to the SUP4 tRNA and 5S rRNA genes has been analyzed in binary (protein and DNA only) and precisely arrested ternary (protein, DNA, and RNA) transcription complexes. Pol III unwinds at least 14 bp of DNA at the SUP4 transcription start in a temperature-dependent process. The unwound DNA segment moves downstream with nascent RNA as a transcription bubble of approximately the same size.

Base Sequence↗

TFIIIC boxes in the genome.

In this issue of Cell, Noma et al. (2006) show that B-boxes and TFIIIC limit the spread of heterochromatin at the silent mat region in the fission yeast genome. Global analysis of TFIIIC distribution revealed dispersed sites of association that coalesce at the nuclear periphery, suggesting that TFIIIC may act as a barrier throughout the genome.

Binding Sites↗

Binding of yeast TFIIIC to tRNA gene bipartite internal promoters: analysis of physical effects on the intervening DNA.

Complexes between transcription factor TFIIIC and eukaryotic tRNA gene internal promoter A and B boxes are unusual in that the binding to the two distinct sites tolerates considerable variation in both distance and helical orientation between the sites. Electrophoretic mobility of Saccharomyces cerevisiae TFIIIC complexes with circularly permuted tRNA gene fragments and sensitivity of the complexes to a single stranded-specific reagent, potassium permanganate, indicated that no significant bend or distortion was introduced into the DNA by simultaneous binding to both internal promoters. These data support a model in which variability in the relative positions of the two binding sites is compensated by flexibility in the structure of TFIIIC.

DNA↗