title: A minimal promoter for TFIIIC-dependent in vitro transcription of snoRNA and tRNA genes by RNA polymerase III.
abstract: The Saccharomyces cerevisiae SNR52 gene is unique among the snoRNA coding genes in being transcribed by RNA polymerase III. The primary transcript of SNR52 is a 250-nucleotide precursor RNA from which a long leader sequence is cleaved to generate the mature snR52 RNA. We found that the box A and box B sequence elements in the leader region are both required for the in vivo accumulation of the snoRNA. As expected box B, but not box A, was absolutely required for stable TFIIIC, yet in vitro. Surprisingly, however, the box B was found to be largely dispensable for in vitro transcription of SNR52, whereas the box A-mutated template effectively recruited TFIIIB; yet it was transcriptionally inactive. Even in the complete absence of box B and both upstream TATA-like and T-rich elements, the box A still directed efficient, TFIIIC-dependent transcription. Box B-independent transcription was also observed for two members of the tRNA(Asn)(GTT) gene family, but not for two tRNA(Pro)(AGG) gene copies. Fully recombinant TFIIIC supported box B-independent transcription of both SNR52 and tRNA(Asn) genes, but only in the presence of TFIIIB reconstituted with a crude B'' fraction. Non-TFIIIB component(s) in this fraction were also required for transcription of wild-type SNR52. Transcription of the box B-less tRNA(Asn) genes was strongly influenced by their 5'-flanking regions, and it was stimulated by TBP and Brf1 proteins synergistically. The box A can thus be viewed as a core TFIIIC-interacting element that, assisted by upstream TFIIIB-DNA contacts, is sufficient to promote class III gene transcription.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Biochimica e Biologia Molecolare, Università degli Studi di Parma, 43100 Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Guffanti
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: Milena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Preti
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Forloni
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Harismendy
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lefebvre
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dieci
mesh_terms: D020121:5' Untranslated Regions / Q000378:metabolism; D001483:Base Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites / Q000235:genetics; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012320:RNA Polymerase III / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D012331:RNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020537:RNA, Small Nucleolar / Q000235:genetics*; D012343:RNA, Transfer / Q000235:genetics*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D019474:Transcription Factors, TFIII / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D000098832:Transcription Factor TFIIIC
chemical_list: D020121:5' Untranslated Regions; D012331:RNA, Fungal; D020537:RNA, Small Nucleolar; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D019474:Transcription Factors, TFIII; D000098832:Transcription Factor TFIIIC; D012343:RNA, Transfer; D012320:RNA Polymerase III