Abstract
Transcription elongation is stimulated by positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb), for which activity is repressed in the 7SK small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (7SK snRNP) complex. We show here a critical role of 7SK snRNP in growth control of primordial germ cells (PGCs). The expression of p15(INK4b), a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKI) gene, in PGCs is selectively activated by P-TEFb and its recruiting molecule, Brd4, when the amount of active P-TEFb is increased due to reduction of the 7SK snRNP, and PGCs consequently undergo growth arrest. These results indicate that CDKI gene-specific control of transcription by 7SK snRNP plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of PGC proliferation.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Cell Cycle
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Cell Proliferation
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Female
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Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
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Genes, cdc / genetics*
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Germ Cells / cytology*
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Germ Cells / metabolism*
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Male
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Mice, Inbred ICR
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Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
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Positive Transcriptional Elongation Factor B / metabolism
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Ribonucleoproteins / genetics
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Ribonucleoproteins / metabolism
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Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear / genetics
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Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear / metabolism
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Transcription Factors / metabolism
Substances
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Brd4 protein, mouse
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Nuclear Proteins
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Ribonucleoproteins
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Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear
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Transcription Factors
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Positive Transcriptional Elongation Factor B