Human Maf1 negatively regulates RNA polymerase III transcription via the TFIIB family members Brf1 and Brf2.
RNA polymerase III (RNA pol III) transcribes many of the small structural RNA molecules involved in processing and translation, thereby regulating the growth rate of a cell. Initiation of pol III transcription requires the evolutionarily conserved pol III initiation factor TFIIIB. TFIIIB is the molecular target of regulation by tumor suppressors, including p53, RB and the RB-related pocket proteins. However, our understanding of negative regulation of human TFIIIB-mediated transcription by other proteins is limited. In this study we characterize a RNA pol III luciferase assay and further demonstrate in vivo that a human homolog of yeast Maf1 represses RNA pol III transcription. Additionally, we show that Maf1 repression of RNA pol III transcription occurs via TFIIIB, specifically through the TFIIB family members Brf1 and Brf2.
Rollins
Janet
J
Department of Biological Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, USA.
Veras
Ingrid
I
Cabarcas
Stephanie
S
Willis
Ian
I
Schramm
Laura
L
D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D049409:Luciferases, Firefly / Q000235:genetics; D049410:Luciferases, Renilla; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012320:RNA Polymerase III / Q000378:metabolism*; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D035381:TATA-Binding Protein Associated Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D035361:Transcription Factor TFIIIB / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
C441028:BRF1 protein, human; C416185:BRF2 protein, human; C520535:MAF1 protein, human; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D035381:TATA-Binding Protein Associated Factors; D035361:Transcription Factor TFIIIB; D049410:Luciferases, Renilla; D049409:Luciferases, Firefly; D012320:RNA Polymerase III