Termination of cryptic unstable transcripts is directed by yeast RNA-binding proteins Nrd1 and Nab3.
Studies of yeast transcription have revealed the widespread distribution of intergenic RNA polymerase II transcripts. These cryptic unstable transcripts (CUTs) are rapidly degraded by the nuclear exosome. Yeast RNA binding proteins Nrd1 and Nab3 direct termination of sn/snoRNAs and recently have also been implicated in premature transcription termination of the NRD1 gene. In this paper, we show that Nrd1 and Nab3 are required for transcription termination of CUTs. In nrd1 and nab3 mutants, we observe 3'-extended transcripts originating from CUT promoters but failing to terminate through the Nrd1- and Nab3-directed pathway. Nrd1 and Nab3 colocalize to regions of the genome expressing antisense CUTs, and these transcripts require yeast nuclear exosome and TRAMP components for degradation. Dissection of a CUT terminator reveals a minimal element sufficient for Nrd1- and Nab3-directed termination. These results suggest that transcription termination of CUTs directed by Nrd1 and Nab3 is a prerequisite for rapid degradation by the nuclear exosome.
Arigo
John T
JT
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 725 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.
Eyler
Daniel E
DE
Carroll
Kristina L
KL
Corden
Jeffry L
JL
D005092:Exonucleases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015966:Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; D009154:Mutation; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D026723:Polyadenylation; D020871:RNA Stability; D016372:RNA, Antisense / Q000378:metabolism; D012331:RNA, Fungal / Q000378:metabolism*; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000502:physiology*
C090564:NAB3 protein, S cerevisiae; C491211:NRD1 protein, S cerevisiae; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D016372:RNA, Antisense; D012331:RNA, Fungal; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D005092:Exonucleases