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DNA-dependent RNA polymerases from Artemia salina. Subunit structure of polymerase II.

RNA polymerase II from larvae of the brine shrimp, Artemia salina, was highly purified by two cycles of DEAE-cellulose chromatography followed by centrifugation through discontinuous sucrose gradients. Gradient fractions were subjected to elctrophoresis is polyacrylamide gels containing sodium dodecyl sulfate. The subunit structure of RNA polymerase II was determined by quantitative comparison of the polypeptides and enzyme activity present in each gradient fraction. The enzyme contains one copy of each of four subunits with estimated molecular weights of 170,000, 130,000, 36,000 and 24,000. The total molecular weight agrees well with the molecular weight estimated for the native enzyme by density gradient centrifugation.

DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases

Separation of lymphocyte chromatin into template-active fractions with specificity for eukaryotic RNA polymerase II or prokaryotic RNA polymerase.

When chromatin prepared from WI-L2 lymphocytes by low salt extraction and shearing is centrifuged on a glycerol gradient, one area of the gradient yields chromatin enriched in template activity for Escherichia coli DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (EC 2.7.7.6; nucleosidetriphosphate:RNA nucleotidyltransferase) as compared to Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNA polymerase II (or B). Another area yields chromatin preferred by the eukaryotic enzyme. Kinetic studies indicate that the differences in activity cannot be explained by differences in affinity of the enzymes for the various templates. The DNA isolated from either fraction has a molecular weight of 8.5 X 106. The "yeast active" fraction seems enriched in proteins. Mixing experiments indicate that the yeast enzyme does not alter the template in such a way as to improve it for the bacterial enzyme.

Cell Line

Effect of hydrostatic pressure on isolated cardiac nuclei: Stimulation of RNA polymerase II activity.

RNA polymerase activity was measured in isolated cardiac nuclei subjected to hydrostatic pressure. After 20 min of pressure, Mn2+ stimulated RNA polymerase II activity was increased. The response to pressure was inhibited by low concentrations of alpha-amanitin (1.1 microgram.cm-3) an inhibitor of polymerase II activity. The data show that pressure applied to isolated nuclei stimulates RNA polymerase II activity, forming mRNA, and suggests that direct application of pressure to cardiac nuclei may be the stimulus which triggers the augmented protein synthesis seen in pressure overload.

Amanitins

A new method for the large-scale purification of wheat germ DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II.

An improved method for the purification of the alpha-amanitin-sensitive deoxyribonucleic acid dependent ribonucleic acid polymerase [ribonucleosidetriphosphate:RNA-nucleotidyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.6-A1 (RNA polymerase II or RNA polymerase B) from wheat germ is presented. The method involves homogenization of wheat germ in a buffer of moderate ionic strength, precipitation of RNA polymerase with Polymin P (a polyethylenimine), elution of RNA polymerase from the Polymin P precipitate, ammonium sulfate precipitation, and chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and phosphocellulose. RNA polymerase II is purified over 4000-fold with a 60% recovery, resulting in a yield of 25-30 mg of RNA polymerase from 1 kg of starting material.

Chromatography, DEAE-Cellulose

Template properties of human DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II.

DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II has been purified from lymphocytes of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Form II polymerase and Escherichia coli RNA polymerase have been used to study the transcription of human DNA and chromatin. The hybridization kinetics of the transcripts of DNA and chromatin by the human polymerase are quite different; chromatin transcripts hybridized to DNA at a much slower rate than DNA transcripts, whereas the transcripts of DNA and chromatin by bacterial polymerase have similar hybridization kinetics.

Centrifugation, Density Gradient

Purification of a factor from Ehrlich ascites tumor cells specifically stimulating RNA polymerase II.

A factor stimulating RNA polymerase II from Ehrlich ascites tumor cells was purified. The final preparation appeared almost homogeneous on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and had a molecular weight of 38 000. The endonuclease activity of about 10 mug of purified factor, if any was well below the 10(-5) mug equivalent of pancreatic deoxyribonuclease, indicating that the stimulation of RNA synthesis by this factor was not due to contaminating endonuclease. This factor specifically stimulated RNA polymerase II on native DNA as template and did not affect RNA polymerase I at all. The molecular size of RNA synthesized in the presence of this factor increased markedly compared with that synthetized by RNA polymerase II alone.

Animals

Purification using polyethylenimine precipitation and low molecular weight subunit analyses of calf thymus and wheat germ DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II.

DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II from calf thymus has been successfully purified using polythylenimine precipitation. Thus, 5-6 mg of nearly homogeneous homogeneous trna polymerase II (greater than 96% pure) can be prepared from 1 kg of calf thymus with three chromatography steps following extraction and precipitation of the enzyme from the polyethylenimine pellet. This procedure eliminates the high salt extraction of chromatin previously used in purification of this enzyme and makes possible the large scale preparation of mammalian RNA polymerase II. Calf thymus polymerase II prepared by this method is greater than 90% form IIb and consists of ten different subunits having the following molecular weights: 180 000; 145 000; 36 000; 25 000; 20 000; 18 500; 16 000; 15 000; 12 000; 11 500. The homologous enzyme isolated from wheat germ is greater than 90% form IIa and contains subunits of the following molecular weights: 206 000; 145 000; 44 000-47 000; 24 500; 21 000; 19 000; 17 000; 14 000; 13 500. The wheat germ and calf thymus enzymes exhibit similar subunits structures, but the molecular weights of individual subunits are clearly different between the enzymes. Wheat germ RNA polymerase II is 50% inhibited by 0.271 microng/mL of alpha-amanitin, a level 30-fold higher than that found for calf thymus RNA polymerase II. These enzymes are further distinguished by the absence of antigenic cross reactivity.

Animals

Mechanism of assembly of the RNA polymerase II preinitiation complex. Evidence for a functional interaction between the carboxyl-terminal domain of the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II and a high molecular mass form of the TATA factor.

Genetic evidence argues that the highly conserved carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD) of the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II functions directly in the regulation of transcription of many eukaryotic genes. The observation that partial deletion of the CTD of yeast RNA polymerase II reduces the ability of the enzyme to respond to signals from a variety of upstream activating sequences led to the proposal that the CTD plays a role in the dialogue between regulatory factors that bind upstream activating sequences and the "general" or "basal" transcription factors associated with RNA polymerase II at the promoter (Scafe, C., Chao, D., Lopes, J., Hirsch, J. P., Henry, S., and Young, R. A. (1990) Nature 347, 491-494). Biochemical evidence for an interaction of the CTD with specific components of the basal transcription apparatus, however, has been lacking. To identify target(s) for CTD action, we probed steps in assembly of the RNA polymerase II preinitiation complex with monoclonal antibodies specific for the CTD. Our findings reveal a novel interaction of the CTD with a high molecular mass form of the TATA factor. This interaction occurs during binding of RNA polymerase II to its promoter and requires the action of additional basal transcription factors; it is not observed when the single-subunit yeast transcription factor IID serves as the TATA factor.

Animals

Purification and properties of Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNA polymerase II general initiation factor a.

RNA polymerase II initiation factor a was purified to apparent homogeneity from yeast whole cell extract and consisted of two highly charged polypeptides with apparent masses of 66 and 43 kDa. Separation and renaturation of the subunits showed that both were required for transcription activity. The native mass of factor a was estimated to be 240-260 kDa by gel filtration, but its sedimentation rate in a glycerol gradient was similar to that of a much smaller globular protein, suggesting an extended conformation. Factor a was required for utilization of six different eukaryotic promoters in vitro, indicating a general role in promoter-directed transcription by yeast RNA polymerase II.

Centrifugation, Density Gradient

Large-scale purification and subunit structure of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II from cauliflower inflorescence.

DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II (nucleosidetriphosphate:RNA nucleotidyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.6) from cauliflower inflorescence (Brassica oleracae, var. botrytis) was highly purified by polyethyleneimine treatment on a large scale. The solubilized enzyme was partially purified by polyethyleneimine fractionation and subjected to chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex and phosphocellulose, and subsequently to sedimentation in a glycerol gradient. The specific activity (231 nmol/mg per 10 min) of this enzyme was comparable to that reported for other purified eukaryotic RNA polymerases. Analysis of the purified RNA polymerase II by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under nondenaturing conditions revealed a single band. The subunit composition of the enzyme was analyzed by electrophoresis under denaturing conditions. The RNA polymerase II contained subunits with molecular weights and molar ratios (in parentheses) of 180 000(1), 130 000(2), 48 000(2), 25 000(4), and 19 500(4).

Centrifugation, Density Gradient

DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II from Acanthamoeba castellanii. Comparison of the catalytic properties and subunit architectures of the trophozoite and cyst enzymes.

The actively growing cells (trophozoites) of the amoeba Acanthamoeba castellanii were found to contain three or perhaps four different forms of class II DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (EC 2.7.7.6). The chromatographic and catalytic properties of all forms of the Acanthamoeba class II polymerases suggest them to be cognates of the class II polymerases previously reported. The predominant form was purified to near homogeneity and its subunit composition determined. Nine different polypeptides were found associated with the purified enzyme: 21 000; 185 000; 140 000; 70 000; 35 000; 21 000; 19 000; 18 500 and 16 200. These polypeptides were interpreted in terms of two class II RNA polymerases which differ in the molecular weight of their largest subunit. When A. castellanii is transferred to a medium lacking nutrients, the cells undergo cellular differentiation resulting in the formation of metabolically inactive cells (cyst formation). During this process there are significant changes in the RNA sequences transcribed. In contrast to this, we find that the chromatographic and catalytic properties of all of the class II RNA polymerases remain unchanged. Further, the subunit architecture of the predominant form(s) of polymerase II is unaltered. These findings suggest that although new RNA sequences are transcribed during encystment their appearance is not a consequence of extensive alterations in the subunit composition of the major class II RNA polymerase.

Amanitins

Reconstitution of transcription with five purified initiation factors and RNA polymerase II from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Yeast RNA polymerase II initiation factors a, b, e, and g were isolated from whole cell extract and found to be sufficient, when combined with bacterially expressed yeast transcription factor (TF) IID, to enable RNA polymerase II to utilize nine different eukaryotic promoters in vitro, and to initiate transcription at sites used in vivo. The purified factors did not contain the previously described transcription factor IIA (TFIIA). TFIIA failed to substitute for any purified factor or to stimulate transcription with the complete set of factors, indicating that its function in crude extracts is primarily as an anti-inhibitor.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Elongation factor-dependent transcript shortening by template-engaged RNA polymerase II.

In addition to polynucleotide polymerization, DNA polymerases and bacterial RNA polymerase can also remove nucleotides from the growing end of nucleic acid chains. For DNA polymerases this activity is an important factor in establishing fidelity in DNA synthesis. This report describes a novel in vitro activity of RNA polymerase II whereby it cleaves an RNA chain contained within an active elongation complex. These elongation complexes are arrested at a previously identified, naturally occurring transcriptional pause site in a human gene. The new 3'-end revealed by this cleavage remains associated with an active elongation complex and is capable of being extended by RNA polymerase II. Nascent RNA cleavage is evident after removal of free nucleotides and is dependent upon a divalent metal cation and transcription elongation factor SII. This function of SII could be important in its function as an activator of transcription elongation. It is also possible that the transcript cleavage activity of RNA polymerase II represents a proofreading function of the enzyme.

Animals

A DNA-dependent RNA synthesis by wheat-germ RNA polymerase II insensitive to the fungal toxin alpha-amanitin.

Wheat-germ RNA polymerase II is able to catalyse a DNA-dependent reaction of RNA synthesis in the presence of a high concentration (1 mg/ml) of the fungal toxin alpha-amanitin. This anomalous reaction is specifically directed by single-stranded or double-stranded homopolymer templates, such as poly(dC) or poly(dC).poly(dG), and occurs in the presence of either Mn2+ or Mg2+ as the bivalent metal cofactor. In contrast, the transcription of other synthetic templates, such as poly(dT), poly(dA).poly(dT) or poly[d(A-T)] is completely abolished in the presence of 1 microgram of alpha-amanitin/ml, in agreement with well-established biochemical properties of class II RNA polymerases. Size analysis of reaction products resulting from transcription of (dC)n templates of defined lengths suggests that polymerization of RNA chains proceeds through a slippage mechanism. The fact that alpha-amanitin does not impede this synthetic reaction implies that the amatoxin interferes with the translocation of wheat-germ RNA polymerase II along the DNA template.

Amanitins

Phosphorylation of calf thymus RNA polymerase II by nuclear cyclic 3',5'-AMP-independent protein kinase.

Nucleoplasmic RNA polymerase II (nucleosidetriphosphate:RNA nucleotidyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.6) from calfthymus is phosphorylated by homologous cyclic AMP-independent protein kinase (ATP:protein phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.37). Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the 32P-labeled RNA polymerase II under non-denaturing conditions revealed that both forms of the enzyme were phosphorylated. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the 32P-labeled RNA polymerase II under denaturing conditions showed that the 25 000 dalton subunit was the phosphate acceptor subunit. Partial acid hydrolysis of the 32P-labeled RNA polymerase II followed by ion-exchange chromatography revealed serine and threonine as the [32P]phosphate acceptor amino acids. Phosphorylation of the RNA polymerase II was accompanied by a stimulation of enzymatic activity and was dependent upon the presence of ATP.

Adenylyl Imidodiphosphate

Regulated synthesis of RNA polymerase II polypeptides in Chinese hamster ovary cell lines.

RNA polymerase II polypeptides present in [35S]methionine-labeled Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell extracts have been quantitatively immunoprecipitated with an anti-calf thymus RNA polymerase II serum. Analyses of the immunoprecipitates on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels indicated that the immunoprecipitated polymerase II of both wild type CHO cells and the alpha-amanitin-resistant mutant Ama1 had polypeptides of molecular weight 214,000, 140,000, 34,000, 25,000, 23,000, 20,500, and 16,500. In heterozygous alpha-amanitin-resistant/alpha-amanitin-sensitive hybrid CHO cells, growth in the presence of alpha-amanitin results in the inactivation of the alpha-amanitin-sensitive RNA polymerase II activity and a compensating increase in the activity of the alpha-amanitin-resistant enzyme. Determination of the rates of synthesis and degradation of RNA polymerase II polypeptides using [35S]methionine labeling and polymerase II immunoprecipitation demonstrated that this increase in activity of alpha-amanitin-resistant polymerase II resulted from a co-ordinate increase in the rate of synthesis of at least three polypeptides of RNA polymerase II. At the same time, there was an enhanced rate of degradation of the alpha-amanitin-inactivated RNA polymerase II polypeptides.

Animals

Purification and characterization of yeast RNA polymerase II general initiation factor g.

Yeast RNA polymerase II general initiation factor g was purified to near homogeneity on the basis of its function in a reconstituted transcription system. Polypeptides of 30, 54, and 105 kDa co-purified with transcriptional activity, forming a complex with a mass of 300 kDa as judged by gel filtration, but only 100 kDa based on sedimentation in glycerol gradients, suggesting an elongated shape. Transcription activity could be reconstituted after separation of the three polypeptides under denaturing conditions; the 54- and 105-kDa subunits were both essential, while the 30-kDa subunit was slightly stimulatory. Factor g was required for initiation at all promoters tested, including those from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, and adenovirus. Factor g can stably associate with RNA polymerase II, as shown by cosedimentation in a glycerol gradient.

Chromatography