title: The C terminus of Pcf11 forms a novel zinc-finger structure that plays an essential role in mRNA 3'-end processing.
abstract: 3'-End processing of pre-mRNAs prior to packaging and export to the cytoplasm of the mature transcript is a highly regulated process executed by several tens of protein factors that recognize poorly conserved RNA signals. Among them is Pcf11, a highly conserved, multidomain protein that links transcriptional elongation, 3'-end processing, and transcription termination. Here we report the structure and biochemical function of Pcf11's C-terminal domain, which is conserved from yeast to humans. We identify a novel zinc-finger fold, resembling a trillium flower. Structural, biochemical, and genetic analyses reveal a highly conserved surface that plays a critical role in both cleavage and polyadenylation. These findings provide further insight into this important protein and its multiple functional roles during cotranscriptional RNA processing.
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA.
authors: Fan
authors: F
authors: Yang
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA.
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Hsu
authors: Department of Developmental, Molecular, and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA.
authors: Susan D
authors: SD
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA.
authors: Wen
authors: W
authors: Yang
authors: Department of Developmental, Molecular, and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA.
authors: Derick
authors: D
authors: Hoskinson
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA.
authors: Weihao
authors: W
authors: Xu
authors: Department of Developmental, Molecular, and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA.
authors: Claire
authors: C
authors: Moore
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA.
authors: Gabriele
authors: G
authors: Varani
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D015966:Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; D008958:Models, Molecular; D026723:Polyadenylation; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D059367:RNA Cleavage; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D016335:Zinc Fingers; D039221:mRNA Cleavage and Polyadenylation Factors / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C512637:PCF11 protein, S cerevisiae; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D039221:mRNA Cleavage and Polyadenylation Factors
keywords: NMR; Pcf11; mRNA 3′-end processing; structure; zinc finger