title: The C-terminal domain of pol II and a DRB-sensitive kinase are required for 3' processing of U2 snRNA.
abstract: The human snRNA genes transcribed by RNA polymerase II (e.g. U1 and U2) have a characteristic TATA-less promoter containing an essential proximal sequence element. Formation of the 3' end of these non-polyadenylated RNAs requires a specialized 3' box element whose function is promoter specific. Here we show that truncation of the C-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase II and treatment of cells with CTD kinase inhibitors, including DRB (5,6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole), causes a dramatic reduction in proper 3' end formation of U2 transcripts. Activation of 3' box recognition by the phosphorylated CTD would be consistent with the role of phospho-CTD in mRNA processing. CTD kinase inhibitors, however, have little effect on initiation or elongation of transcription of the U2 genes, whereas elongation of transcription of the beta-actin gene is severely affected. This result highlights differences in transcription of snRNA and mRNA genes.
authors.affiliation: Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK.
authors.forename: Joanne E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Medlin
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Uguen
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Bentley
authors.forename: Shona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Murphy
mesh_terms: D004257:DNA Polymerase II / Q000378:metabolism*; D004004:Dichlororibofuranosylbenzimidazole / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000187:drug effects*; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional / Q000502:physiology*; D012342:RNA, Small Nuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D012342:RNA, Small Nuclear; C405484:U2 small nuclear RNA; D004004:Dichlororibofuranosylbenzimidazole; D011494:Protein Kinases; C060137:carboxy-terminal domain kinase; D004257:DNA Polymerase II