The scaRNA2 is produced by an independent transcription unit and its processing is directed by the encoding region.
The C/D box scaRNA2 is predicted to guide specific 2'-O-methylation of U2 snRNA. In contrast to other SCARNA genes, SCARNA2 appears to be independently transcribed. By transient expression of SCARNA2-reporter gene constructs, we have demonstrated that this gene is transcribed by RNA polymerase II and that the promoter elements responsible for its transcription are contained within a 161 bp region upstream of the transcription start site. In mammals, we have identified four cross species conserved promoter elements, a TATA motif, an hStaf/ZNF143 binding site and two novel elements that are required for full promoter activity. Binding of the human hStaf/ZNF143 transcription factor to its target sequence is required for promoter activity, suggesting that hStaf/ZNF143 is a fundamental regulator of the SCARNA2 gene. We also showed that RNA polymerase II continues transcription past the 3'-end of the mature RNA, irrespective of the identity of the Pol II promoter. The 3'-end processing and accumulation are governed by the sole information contained in the scaRNA2 encoding region, the maturation occurring via a particular pathway incompatible with that of mRNA or snRNA production.
Gérard
Marie-Aline
MA
Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IBMC, 15 rue René Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg, France.
Myslinski
Evelyne
E
Chylak
Natassia
N
Baudrey
Stéphanie
S
Krol
Alain
A
Carbon
Philippe
P
D001665:Binding Sites; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012313:RNA / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D026721:RNA 3' End Processing; D012319:RNA Polymerase II / Q000378:metabolism; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D058727:RNA, Small Untranslated
D015534:Trans-Activators; C114253:ZNF143 protein, human; D012313:RNA; D012319:RNA Polymerase II; D058727:RNA, Small Untranslated