E-MTAB-6475
RBM7 activates P-TEFb for a pro-survival transcriptional response to DNA damage
DNA damage response (DDR) involves dramatic transcriptional alterations, the mechanisms of which remain obscure. Here we show that following DNA damage, the RNA-binding motif protein 7 (RBM7) stimulates RNA polymerase II (Pol II) elongation and increases cell viability by activating the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb). This is mediated by DNA damage-enhanced binding of RBM7 to 7SK, the scaffold of the 7SK small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) that inhibits P-TEFb. As a result, P-TEFb relocates from 7SK snRNP to chromatin to activate transcription of key DDR genes and multiple classes of non-coding RNAs. By alleviating the inhibition of P-TEFb, RBM7 thus promotes Pol II elongation to activate a transcriptional response that is crucial for cell fate upon genotoxic insult. Our work highlights a novel paradigm in stress-dependent control of Pol II pause release, and offers the promise of combating cancer by RBM7 and P-TEFb antagonists in combination with established DNA damage-inducing chemotherapeutics.
DNA damage response (DDR) involves dramatic transcriptional alterations, the mechanisms of which remain obscure. Here we show that following DNA damage, the RNA-binding motif protein 7 (RBM7) stimulates RNA polymerase II (Pol II) elongation and increases cell viability by activating the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb). This is mediated by DNA damage-enhanced binding of RBM7 to 7SK, the scaffold of the 7SK small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) that inhibits P-TEFb. As a result, P-TEFb relocates from 7SK snRNP to chromatin to activate transcription of key DDR genes and multiple classes of non-coding RNAs. By alleviating the inhibition of P-TEFb, RBM7 thus promotes Pol II elongation to activate a transcriptional response that is crucial for cell fate upon genotoxic insult. Our work highlights a novel paradigm in stress-dependent control of Pol II pause release, and offers the promise of combating cancer by RBM7 and P-TEFb antagonists in combination with established DNA damage-inducing chemotherapeutics.