DNA structural variation affects complex formation and promoter melting in ribosomal RNA transcription.
Eukaryotic ribosomal RNA promoters exhibit an unusual conservation of non-canonical DNA structure (curvature, twist angle and duplex stability) despite a lack of primary sequence conservation. This raises the possibility that rRNA transcription factors might utilize structural anomalies in their sequence recognition process. We have analyzed in detail the interaction of the polymerase I transcription factor TIF-IB from Acanthmoeba castellanii with the CORE promoter. TIF-IB interacts primarily with the minor groove of the promoter. By correlating the effects on transcription and on DNA structure of promoter point mutations, we show that the TIF-IB interaction is strongly inhibited by increases in minor groove width. This suggests that a particular DNA structure is required for interaction with the transcription factor. In addition, TIF-IB induces a small bend in the promoter upon binding. Modeling of this bend reveals that it requires an additional narrowing of the minor groove, which would favor binding to mutants with narrower grooves. We also discuss how this narrowing would induce a small destabilization of the helix upstream of the transcription start site. Telestability predicts this would result in destabilization of the sequence that melts during initiation, suggesting that TIF-IB may have a role in stimulating melting.
Régulation génique et microscopie champ proche (RGFCP), IFR 57 CNRS, Université de la Méditerranée, Faculté de Médecine, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille Cedex 5, France.
M
M
Marilley
C A
CA
Radebaugh
G K
GK
Geiss
P J
PJ
Laybourn
M R
MR
Paule
D000048:Acanthamoeba / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D014644:Genetic Variation; D017354:Point Mutation; D035463:Pol1 Transcription Initiation Complex Proteins; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D016053:RNA, Protozoan / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D024363:Transcription Initiation Site; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D015533:Transcriptional Activation / Q000502:physiology
D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D035463:Pol1 Transcription Initiation Complex Proteins; D016053:RNA, Protozoan; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal; D014157:Transcription Factors; C063660:transcription initiation factor TIF-IB