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Structural basis of TFIIIC-dependent RNA polymerase III transcription initiation

Journal Article · · Molecular Cell
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [2]
  1. Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (United States)
  2. Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (United States); Northwestern University, Chicago, IL (United States)
RNA polymerase III (Pol III) is responsible for transcribing 5S ribosomal RNA (5S rRNA), tRNAs, and other short non-coding RNAs. Its recruitment to the 5S rRNA promoter requires transcription factors TFIIIA, TFIIIC, and TFIIIB. Here, we use cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) to visualize the S. cerevisiae complex of TFIIIA and TFIIIC bound to the promoter. Gene-specific factor TFIIIA interacts with DNA and acts as an adaptor for TFIIIC-promoter interactions. We also visualize DNA binding of TFIIIB subunits, Brf1 and TBP (TATA-box binding protein), which results in the full-length 5S rRNA gene wrapping around the complex. Our smFRET study reveals that the DNA within the complex undergoes both sharp bending and partial dissociation on a slow timescale, consistent with the model predicted from our cryo-EM results. Our findings provide new insights into the transcription initiation complex assembly on the 5S rRNA promoter and allow us to directly compare Pol III and Pol II transcription adaptations.
Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Scientific User Facilities (SUF); American Cancer Society; NIGMS; NCI; H Foundation Core Facility Pilot Project Award; National Institutes of Health (NIH); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
2424191
Journal Information:
Molecular Cell, Journal Name: Molecular Cell Journal Issue: 15 Vol. 83; ISSN 1097-2765
Publisher:
Cell Press - ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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