Conserved architecture of the core RNA polymerase II initiation complex

Wolfgang Mühlbacher; Sarah Sainsbury; Matthias Hemann; Merle Hantsche; Simon Neyer; Franz Herzog; Patrick Cramer

doi:10.1038/ncomms5310

Conserved architecture of the core RNA polymerase II initiation complex

Nat Commun. 2014 Jul 10:5:4310. doi: 10.1038/ncomms5310.

Authors

Wolfgang Mühlbacher¹, Sarah Sainsbury¹, Matthias Hemann², Merle Hantsche², Simon Neyer³, Franz Herzog², Patrick Cramer³

Affiliations

¹ 1] Gene Center Munich and Department of Biochemistry, Center for Integrated Protein Science CIPSM, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 25, 81377 Munich, Germany [2] [3].
² Gene Center Munich and Department of Biochemistry, Center for Integrated Protein Science CIPSM, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 25, 81377 Munich, Germany.
³ 1] Gene Center Munich and Department of Biochemistry, Center for Integrated Protein Science CIPSM, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 25, 81377 Munich, Germany [2].

PMID: 25007739
DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5310

Abstract

During transcription initiation at promoters of protein-coding genes, RNA polymerase (Pol) II assembles with TBP, TFIIB and TFIIF into a conserved core initiation complex that recruits additional factors. The core complex stabilizes open DNA and initiates RNA synthesis, and it is conserved in the Pol I and Pol III transcription systems. Here, we derive the domain architecture of the yeast core pol II initiation complex during transcription initiation. The yeast complex resembles the human initiation complex and reveals that the TFIIF Tfg2 winged helix domain swings over promoter DNA. An 'arm' and a 'charged helix' in TFIIF function in transcription start site selection and initial RNA synthesis, respectively, and apparently extend into the active centre cleft. Our model provides the basis for further structure-function analysis of the entire transcription initiation complex.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Base Sequence
Eukaryotic Initiation Factors / chemistry
Eukaryotic Initiation Factors / genetics
Mass Spectrometry
Molecular Sequence Data
Pol1 Transcription Initiation Complex Proteins / chemistry*
Pol1 Transcription Initiation Complex Proteins / genetics*
Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
Protein Structure, Tertiary / genetics
RNA Polymerase II / chemistry*
RNA Polymerase II / genetics*
Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics*
Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / chemistry*
Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics*
Transcription Factors, TFII / chemistry
Transcription Factors, TFII / genetics
Transcription Initiation, Genetic / physiology

Substances

Eukaryotic Initiation Factors
Pol1 Transcription Initiation Complex Proteins
Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
Transcription Factors, TFII
RNA Polymerase II
transcription factor TFIIF