Human Spt6 stimulates transcription elongation by RNA polymerase II in vitro.
Recent studies have suggested that Spt6 participates in the regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII). However, its underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. One possibility, which is supported by genetic and biochemical studies of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is that Spt6 affects chromatin structure. Alternatively, Spt6 directly controls transcription by binding to the transcription machinery. In this study, we establish that human Spt6 (hSpt6) is a classic transcription elongation factor that enhances the rate of RNAPII elongation. hSpt6 is capable of stimulating transcription elongation both individually and in concert with DRB sensitivity-inducing factor (DSIF), comprising human Spt5 and human Spt4. We also provide evidence showing that hSpt6 interacts with RNAPII and DSIF in human cells. Thus, in vivo, hSpt6 may regulate multiple steps of mRNA synthesis through its interaction with histones, elongating RNAPII, and possibly other components of the transcription machinery.
Endoh
Masaki
M
Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan.
Zhu
Wenyan
W
Hasegawa
Jun
J
Watanabe
Hajime
H
Kim
Dong-Ki
DK
Aida
Masatoshi
M
Inukai
Naoto
N
Narita
Takashi
T
Yamada
Tomoko
T
Furuya
Akiko
A
Sato
Hiroe
H
Yamaguchi
Yuki
Y
Mandal
Subhrangsu S
SS
Reinberg
Danny
D
Wada
Tadashi
T
Handa
Hiroshi
H
D000818:Animals; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006367:HeLa Cells; D056488:Histone Chaperones; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012319:RNA Polymerase II / Q000378:metabolism*; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D035602:Transcriptional Elongation Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D056488:Histone Chaperones; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; C065456:SPT6 protein, S cerevisiae; C481011:SUPT4H1 protein, human; C112224:SUPT5H protein, human; C100927:SUPT6H protein, human; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D035602:Transcriptional Elongation Factors; C069940:SPT5 transcriptional elongation factor; D012319:RNA Polymerase II