title: RNA polymerase II subunit RPB4 is essential for high- and low-temperature yeast cell growth.
abstract: RPB4 encodes the fourth-largest RNA polymerase II subunit in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The RPB4 gene was cloned and sequenced, and its identity was confirmed by amino acid sequence analysis of tryptic peptides from the purified subunit. The RPB4 DNA sequence predicted a protein of 221 amino acids with a molecular mass of 25,414 daltons. The central 100 amino acids of the RPB4 protein were found to be similar to a segment of the major sigma subunit in Escherichia coli RNA polymerase. Deletion of RPB4 produced cells that were heat and cold sensitive but could grow, albeit slowly, at intermediate temperatures. RNA polymerase II lacking the RPB4 subunit exhibited markedly reduced activity in crude extracts in vitro. The RPB4 subunit, although not essential for mRNA synthesis or enzyme assembly, was essential for normal levels of RNA polymerase II activity and indispensable for cell viability over a wide temperature range.
authors.affiliation: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Nine Cambridge Center, Massachusetts 02142.
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Woychik
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D002872:Chromosome Deletion; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D005800:Genes, Fungal; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010957:Plasmids; D012319:RNA Polymerase II / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012331:RNA, Fungal / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D013696:Temperature; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D004271:DNA, Fungal; D012331:RNA, Fungal; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012319:RNA Polymerase II