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Two essential components of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae transcription factor TFIIIB: transcription and DNA-binding properties.

RNA polymerase III transcription factor TFIIIB from Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains at least two polypeptides, with apparent masses of 90 and 70 kDa, that were previously identified by photocrosslinking to DNA. It is shown here that TFIIIB can be chromatographically separated into two components, each of which is required for efficient tRNA gene transcription. DNA-protein photocrosslinking experiments show these two components separately contain the 90- and 70-kDa TFIIIB-specific polypeptides. The 70-kDa component forms a heparin-sensitive complex with transcription factor TFIIIC and DNA, stabilizes TFIIIC interaction with the tRNA gene promoter elements, and protects against DNase I digestion in the 3' portion of the upstream DNA sequence that is occupied by TFIIIB. The 90-kDa component of TFIIIB, which only detectably interacts with the TFIIIC-DNA complex when the 70-kDa component is also present, generates the complete DNase I protection pattern of TFIIIB and bestows heparin-insensitivity on the TFIIIB-DNA complex. The resolution of TFIIIB into two functional components further defines the probable steps and interactions involved in the formation of stable transcription complexes.

Chromatography, Ion Exchange↗

Transcription factor TFIIIB and transcription by RNA polymerase III.

pol (RNA polymerase) III is charged with the task of transcribing nuclear genes encoding diverse small structural and catalytic RNAs. We present a brief review of the current understanding of several aspects of the pol III transcription apparatus. The focus is on yeast and, more specifically, on Saccharomyces cerevisiae; preponderant attention is given to the TFs (transcription initiation factors) and especially to TFIIIB, which is the core pol III initiation factor by virtue of its role in recruiting pol III to the transcriptional start site and its essential roles in forming the transcription-ready open promoter complex. Certain relatively recent developments are also selected for brief comment: (i) the genome-wide analysis of occupancy of pol III-transcribed genes (and other loci) by the transcription apparatus and the location of pol III transcription in the cell; (ii) progress toward a mechanistic and molecular understanding of the regulation of transcription by pol III in yeast; and (iii) recent experiments identifying a high mobility group protein as a fidelity factor that assures selection of the precise transcriptional start site at certain pol III promoters.

Gene Expression Regulation↗

Transcription of individual tRNA1Gly genes from within a multigene family is regulated by transcription factor TFIIIB.

Members of a multigene family from the silkworm Bombyx mori have been classified based on their transcriptions in homologous nuclear extracts, into three groups of highly, moderately and poorly transcribed genes. Because all these gene copies have identical coding sequences and consequently identical promoter elements (the A and B boxes), the flanking sequences modulate their expression levels. Here we demonstrate the interaction of transcription factor TFIIIB with these genes and its role in regulating differential transcriptions. The binding of TFIIIB to the poorly transcribed gene -6,7 was less stable compared with binding of TFIIIB to the highly expressed copy, -1. The presence of a 5' upstream TATA sequence closer to the coding region in -6,7 suggested that the initial binding of TFIIIC to the A and B boxes sterically hindered anchoring of TFIIIB via direct interactions, leading to lower stability of TFIIIC-B-DNA complexes. Also, the multiple TATATAA sequences present in the flanking regions of this poorly transcribed gene successfully competed for TFIIIB reducing transcription. The transcription level could be enhanced to some extent by supplementation of TFIIIB but not by TATA box binding protein. The poor transcription of -6,7 was thus attributed both to the formation of a less stable transcription complex and the sequestration of TFIIIB. Availability of the transcription factor TFIIIB in excess could serve as a general mechanism to initiate transcription from all the individual members of the gene family as per the developmental needs within the tissue.

Animals↗

Cloning and functional characterization of the gene encoding the TFIIIB90 subunit of RNA polymerase III transcription factor TFIIIB.

The yeast RNA polymerase III (pol III) general transcription factor TFIIIB is composed of three subunits; the TATA-binding protein (TBP)1, the TFIIB-related factor (BRF1), and a third factor termed TFIIIB90 or B". Here we report the purification of yeast TFIIIB90, cloning of the gene encoding TFIIIB90, and reconstitution of TFIIIB from recombinant polypeptides. The TFIIIB90 open reading frame encodes a 68-kDa polypeptide and has no obvious similarity to any other known protein sequences. The gene encoding TFIIIB90 is essential for viability of yeast. Using recombinant TFIIIB subunits, we found that TFIIIB90 interacts weakly with TBP in the absence of BRF1, and that this interaction is enhanced at least 25-fold by BRF1. In addition, TFIIIB90 showed pol III specificity as it could not interact with the pol II-specific TFIIB-TBP-DNA complex. To localize the regions of the TBP-DNA complex that interact with BRF1 and TFIIIB90, we tested whether the pol II factors TFIIA and TFIIB interfered with the binding of BRF1 and TFIIIB90 to TBP-DNA. Our results suggest that the binding sites for BRF1 and TFIIIB90 on TBP-DNA both overlap the binding sites for TFIIA and TFIIB.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The TATA-binding protein and associated factors are components of pol III transcription factor TFIIIB.

RNA polymerases I, II, and III require the TATA-binding protein (TBP) to initiate promoter-specific transcription. We have separated HeLa TBP into four phosphocellulose fractions that elicit polymerase specificity in supplying TBP activity to TBP-depleted pol II and pol III transcription reactions. Polymerase specificity might arise in part through distinct TBP-associated factors (TAFs), which have recently been identified in pol I and II transcription. However, the requirement for pol III TAFs has not been established. Here we show that classical pol III transcription involves a minimum of two novel TAFs: TAF-172 and TAF-L. Not only does TAF-172 activate pol III transcription, but it also inhibits the binding of TBP to the TATA box, thereby repressing pol II transcription. The TBP-TAF-172-TAF-L complex can replace TFIIIB both in transcription reactions reconstituted with TFIIIC and in template commitment assays. Thus SL1, TFIID, and TFIIIB might be functionally similar TBP-TAF complexes that direct pol I, II, and III transcription, respectively.

DNA Polymerase III↗

Distinct roles of transcription factors TFIIIB and TFIIIC in RNA polymerase III transcription reinitiation.

Eukaryotic RNA polymerase (Pol) III is recruited to target promoters by a stable preinitiation complex containing transcription factors TFIIIC and TFIIIB. After the first transcription cycle, reinitiation proceeds through facilitated recycling, a process by which the terminating Pol III rapidly reloads onto the same transcription unit. Here, we show that Pol III is repeatedly recaptured in vitro by the first transcribed gene, even in the presence of a juxtaposed competitor promoter complex, thus suggesting that facilitated recycling is not merely due to a stochastic reassociation process favored by the small size of class III genes. The transcription factor requirements for facilitated reinitiation were investigated by taking advantage of Pol III templates that support both TFIIIC-dependent and TFIIIC-independent transcription. A TFIIIC-less transcription system, in which TFIIIB was reconstituted from recombinant TATA box-binding protein and Brf1 proteins and a crude fraction containing the Bdp1 component, was sufficient to direct efficient Pol III recycling on short ( approximately 100 bp) class III genes. Unexpectedly, however, on longer (>300 bp) transcription units, reinitiation in the presence of TFIIIB alone was compromised, and TFIIIC was further required to reestablish a high reinitiation rate. Transcription reinitiation was also severely impaired when recombinant Bdp1 protein replaced the corresponding crude fraction in reconstituted TFIIIB. The data reveal an unexpected complexity in the Pol III reinitiation mechanism and suggest the existence of a handing-back network between Pol III, TFIIIC, and TFIIIB on actively transcribed class III genes.

DNA-(Apurinic or Apyrimidinic Site) Lyase↗

Properties of yeast class III gene transcription factor TFIIIB. Implications regarding mechanism of action.

The yeast transcription factor TFIIIB has been examined with regard to its hydrodynamic properties. This protein, which is required for both tRNA and 5 S rRNA gene transcription in vitro, exhibits unusual physical properties. When analyzed by denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis TFIIIB is a single polypeptide of Mr approximately 60,000. When this transcription factor is subjected to rate zonal centrifugation on glycerol gradients, it sediments between ovalbumin (Mr = 45,000) and bovine serum albumin (Mr = 66,300). This sedimentation behavior is consistent with TFIIIB being a monomer in its native state. However, when TFIIIB was analyzed by gel filtration chromatography it was determined to have a Stokes radius of 53 A, eluting from this chromatography matrix near the position of catalase (Mr = 248,000). This anomalous behavior suggests that TFIIIB is a very asymmetric molecule. Purified TFIIIB was subjected to amino acid analyses and the resulting composition data used to calculate a partial specific volume for the intact molecule. All of these data were then used to estimate possible molecular dimensions of the native TFIIIB molecule. Results of these calculations are consistent with the idea that this transcription factor is a very elongated entity.

Amino Acids↗

Partial purification and characterization of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae transcription factor TFIIIB.

Methods are described for the partial purification of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae class III gene transcription factor TFIIIB from yeast whole cell extracts. A major component (30% of the total protein) of our most highly purified TFIIIB preparation was a polypeptide with an apparent Mr = 60,000 when analyzed by denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This protein was purified by preparative sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and polyclonal antibodies were raised against it. Using immunological methods it was shown that TFIIIB transcription factor activity was associated with this purified polypeptide. Furthermore, the polyclonal sera raised against the yeast TFIIIB polypeptide was also shown to specifically neutralize the activity of the human TFIIIB equivalent when it was added to a human KB cell S-100 in vitro transcription system.

Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel↗

The role of the TATA-binding protein in the assembly and function of the multisubunit yeast RNA polymerase III transcription factor, TFIIIB.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNA polymerase III transcription factor (TF)IIIB has been assembled from three components. An assembly pathway of these polypeptides, which specifies their interactions, has been determined. The TATA-binding protein, TBP, and the TFIIB-related BRF1 gene product BRF, together reconstitute the transcription factor activity and TFIIC-dependent DNA-binding activity of the B' component of TFIIIB. BRF alone weakly binds to a TFIIIC-tRNA gene complex; TBP greatly stabilizes this interaction. B" transcription factor activity is recovered with its previously identified 90 kd polypeptide from SDS-polyacrylamide gels. Incorporation of the 90 kd B" protein into the transcription complex requires TBP. The heparin-resistant TFIIIB-DNA complex retains all three of its constituent proteins, TBP, BRF, and B".

Base Sequence↗

Structure and function of a human transcription factor TFIIIB subunit that is evolutionarily conserved and contains both TFIIB- and high-mobility-group protein 2-related domains.

Transcription factor TFIIIB plays a central role in transcription initiation by RNA polymerase III on genes encoding tRNA, 5S rRNA, and other small structural RNAs. We report the purification of a human TFIIIB-derived complex containing only the TATA-binding polypeptide (TBP) and a 90-kDa subunit (TFIIIB90) and the isolation of a cDNA clone encoding the 90-kDa subunit. The N-terminal half of TFIIIB90 exhibits sequence similarity to the yeast TFIIIB70 (BRF) and the class II transcription factor TFIIB and interacts weakly with TBP. The C-terminal half of TFIIIB90 contains a high-mobility-group protein 2 (HMG2)-related domain and interacts strongly with TBP. Recombinant TFIIIB90 plus recombinant human TBP substitute for human TFIIIB in a complementation assay for transcription of 5S, tRNA, and VA1 RNA genes, and both the TFIIB-related domain and the HMG2-related domain are required for this activity. TFIIIB90 is also required for transcription of human 7SK and U6 RNA genes by RNA polymerase III, but apparently within a complex distinct from the TBP/TFIIIB90 complex.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Selective inactivation of two components of the multiprotein transcription factor TFIIIB in cycloheximide growth-arrested yeast cells.

Following protein synthesis inhibition in cycloheximide growth-arrested yeast cells, the rates of tRNA and 5 S RNA synthesis decrease with apparent half-times of about 20 and 10 min, respectively. This effect is mimicked by extracts of treated cells, and the impairment of tRNA gene transcription activity that is observed in vitro parallels the in vivo inactivation of RNA polymerase III transcription. As revealed by experiments in which partially purified class III transcription factors were singly added to extracts of treated cells, only the activity of the multiprotein transcription factor TFIIIB is severely impaired after 3 h of cycloheximide treatment. Similar assays carried out in an in vitro transcription system in which TFIIIB activity was reconstituted by a combination of the TATA box-binding protein (TBP), the 70-kDa component TFIIIB70, plus a partially purified fraction known as B" have shown that the latter two components are both necessary and sufficient to restore control levels of transcription. Their activity, but not TBP activity, is considerably reduced in extracts of treated cells. TFIIIB70 and a component of fraction B" thus appear to be the selective targets of the down-regulation of polymerase III transcription that is brought about by cycloheximide. A substantial depletion of the TFIIIB70 polypeptide was detected by Western immunoblot analysis of extracts derived from cycloheximide growth-arrested cells, indicating that the inactivation of this TFIIIB component results primarily from its enhanced destabilization under conditions of protein synthesis inhibition.

Cell Division↗

Cofractionation of the TATA-binding protein with the RNA polymerase III transcription factor TFIIIB.

We have investigated the requirement for TBP (TATA-binding protein) in transcription mediated by RNA polymerase III (pol III) in fractionated HeLa cell extracts. Two activities, TFIIIB and TFIIIC, found in phosphocellulose fractions PC B and PC C respectively, have been defined as necessary and sufficient, with pol III, for in vitro transcription of tRNA genes. Depletion of TBP from PC B, using antibodies raised against human TBP, is shown to inhibit the pol III transcriptional activity of the fraction. Furthermore, TBP is present in fractions with human TFIIIB activity, and a proportion of TBP cofractionates with TFIIIB over four chromatographic purification steps. TFIIIB fractions are capable of supplying TBP in the form necessary for pol III transcription, and cannot be substituted by fractions containing other TBP complexes or TBP alone. The use of a 5S RNA gene and two tRNA templates supports the general relevance of our findings for pol III gene transcription. Purified TFIIIB activity can also support pol II-mediated transcription, and is found in a complex of approximately 230kD, suggesting that TFIIIB may be the same as the previously characterized B-TFIID complex (1,2). We suggest that transcription by the three RNA polymerases is mediated by distinct TBP-TAF complexes: SL1 and D-TFIID for pol I and pol II respectively, and TFIIIB for pol III.

Chemical Fractionation↗

Essential roles of Bdp1, a subunit of RNA polymerase III initiation factor TFIIIB, in transcription and tRNA processing.

The essential Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene BDP1 encodes a subunit of RNA polymerase III (Pol III) transcription factor (TFIIIB); TATA box binding protein (TBP) and Brf1 are the other subunits of this three-protein complex. Deletion analysis defined three segments of Bdp1 that are essential for viability. A central segment, comprising amino acids 327 to 353, was found to be dispensable, and cells making Bdp1 that was split within this segment, at amino acid 352, are viable. Suppression of bdp1 conditional viability by overexpressing SPT15 and BRF1 identified functional interactions of specific Bdp1 segments with TBP and Brf1, respectively. A Bdp1 deletion near essential segment I was synthetically lethal with overexpression of PCF1-1, a dominant gain-of-function mutation in the second tetracopeptide repeat motif (out of 11) of the Tfc4 (tau(131)) subunit of TFIIIC. The analysis also identifies a connection between Bdp1 and posttranscriptional processing of Pol III transcripts. Yeast genomic library screening identified RPR1 as the specific overexpression suppressor of very slow growth at 37 degrees C due to deletion of Bdp1 amino acids 253 to 269. RPR1 RNA, a Pol III transcript, is the RNA subunit of RNase P, which trims pre-tRNA transcript 5' ends. Maturation of tRNA was found to be aberrant in bdp1-Delta 253-269 cells, and RPR1 transcription with the highly resolved Pol III transcription system in vitro was also diminished when recombinant Bdp1 Delta 253-269 replaced wild-type Bdp1. Physical interaction of RNase P with Bdp1 was demonstrated by coimmunoprecipitation and pull-down assays.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cloning, expression, and function of TFC5, the gene encoding the B" component of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNA polymerase III transcription factor TFIIIB.

TFC5, the unique and essential gene encoding the B" component of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNA polymerase III transcription factor (TF)IIIB has been cloned. It encodes a 594-amino acid protein (67,688 Da). Escherichia coli-produced B" has been used to reconstitute entirely recombinant TFIIIB that is fully functional for TFIIIC-directed, as well as TATA box-dependent, DNA binding and transcription. The DNase I footprints of entirely recombinant TFIIIB, composed of B", the 67-kDa Brf, and TATA box-binding protein, and TFIIIB reconstituted with natural B" are indistinguishable. A truncated form of B" lacking 39 N-terminal and 107 C-terminal amino acids is also functional for transcription.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The Brf1 and Bdp1 subunits of transcription factor TFIIIB bind to overlapping sites in the tetratricopeptide repeats of Tfc4.

The RNA polymerase III initiation factor TFIIIB is assembled onto DNA through interactions involving the Tfc4 subunit of the assembly factor TFIIIC and two subunits of TFIIIB, Brf1 and Bdp1. Tfc4 contains two arrays of tetratricopeptide repeats (TPRs), each of which provides a binding site for Brf1. Dominant mutations in the ligand binding channel of the first TPR array, TPRs1-5, and on the back side of this array, increase Brf1 binding by Tfc4. Here we examine the biological importance of the second TPR array, TPRs6 -9. Radical mutations at phylogenetically conserved residues in the ligand binding channel of TPRs6 -9 impair pol III reporter gene transcription. Biochemical studies on one such mutation, L469K in TPR7, revealed a defect in the recruitment of Brf1 into TFIIIB-TFIIIC-DNA complexes and diminished the direct interaction between Tfc4 and Brf1. Multicopy suppression analysis implicates TPR9 in Brf1 binding and TPRs7 and 8 in binding to more than one ligand. Indeed, the L469K mutation also decreased the binding affinity for Bdp1 incorporation into TFIIIB-TFIIIC-DNA complexes and inhibited binary interactions between Bdp1 and Tfc4. The Bdp1 binding domain in Tfc4 was mapped to TPRs1-9, a domain that contains both TPR arrays and thus overlaps two of the known binding sites for Brf1. The properties of the L469K mutation identify both Brf1 and Bdp1 as ligands for the second TPR array.

Binding Sites↗

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↗

Domains of the Brf component of RNA polymerase III transcription factor IIIB (TFIIIB): functions in assembly of TFIIIB-DNA complexes and recruitment of RNA polymerase to the promoter.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae transcription factor IIIB (TFIIIB) is composed of three subunits: the TATA-binding protein, the TFIIB-related protein Brf, and B". TFIIIB, which is brought to RNA polymerase III-transcribed genes indirectly through interaction with DNA-bound TFIIIC or directly through DNA recognition by the TATA-binding protein, in turn recruits RNA polymerase III to the promoter. N-terminally deleted derivatives of Brf have been examined for their ability to interact with DNA-bound TFIIIC and with the other components of TFIIIB and for participation in transcription. Brf(165-596), lacking 164 N-proximal TFIIB-homologous amino acids, is competent to participate in the assembly of TFIIIB-DNA complexes and in TFIIIC-independent transcription. Even deletion of the entire TFIIB-homologous half of the protein, as in Brf(317-596) and Brf(352-596), allows some interaction with DNA-bound TBP and with the B" component of TFIIIB to be retained. The function of Brf(165-596) in transcription has also been examined in the context of B" with small internal deletions. The ability of Brf with this sizable N-terminal segment deleted to function in TFIIIC-independent transcription requires segments of B" that are individually indispensable although required on an either/or basis, in the context of complete Brf. These findings suggest a functional complementarity and reciprocity between the Brf and B" components of TFIIIB.

Base Sequence↗

Conserved functional domains of the RNA polymerase III general transcription factor BRF.

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, two components of the RNA polymerase III (Pol III) general transcription factor TFIIIB are the TATA-binding protein (TBP) and the B-related factor (BRF), so called because its amino-terminal half is homologous to the Pol II transcription factor IIB (TFIIB). We have cloned BRF genes from the yeasts Kluyveromyces lactis and Candida albicans. Despite the large evolutionary distance between these species and S. cerevisiae, the BRF proteins are conserved highly. Although the homology is most pronounced in the amino-terminal half, conserved regions also exist in the carboxy-terminal half that is unique to BRF. By assaying for interactions between BRF and other Pol III transcription factors, we show that it is able to bind to the 135-kD subunit of TFIIIC and also to TBP. Surprisingly, in addition to binding the TFIIB-homologous amino-terminal portion of BRF, TBP also interacts strongly with the carboxy-terminal half. Deleting two conserved regions in the BRF carboxy-terminal region abrogates this interaction. Furthermore, TBP mutations that selectively inhibit Pol III transcription in vivo impair interactions between TBP and the BRF carboxy-terminal domain. Finally, we demonstrate that BRF but not TFIIB binds the Pol III subunit C34 and we define a region of C34 necessary for this interaction. These observations provide insights into the roles performed by BRF in Pol III transcription complex assembly.

Amino Acid Sequence↗