This application describes the use of a powerful genetic strategy to target mutations in transcription factors and ancillary components of the RNA polymerase 111 transcription apparatus of yeast. This genetic approach circumvents problems encountered with the biochemical purification of the transcription factors, TFIIIB and TFIIIC, and provides a direct route to their genes. The cloning of the genes for these factors and the determination of their primary structures is the initial goal of this work. Subsequent studies will identify sites of functional importance in the cloned factors. Of particular interest are sites that are engaged in protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions with other components of the transcription machinery. Finally, studies are described in which the cloned transcription factor genes are used to generate antibody probes and substrates to investigate the posttramlational regulation of transcription factor activity. The long term objectives of this work are (i) to obtain a complete molecular description of the process of transcription initiation and (ii) to gain an understanding of the mechanisms responsible for regulating transcriptional activity and hence, control of target gene expression. This system serves as a model for higher eukaryotes and offers the advantages of combined genetic, molecular biological and biochemical technologies to study the primary event in gene expression, namely, the transcription of RNA. Several genetic strategies, based on a common theme, are presented: A unique tandem arrangement of tRNA nonsense suppressor genes is described in which expression of a downstream (supS1) gene is dependent upon transcription directed by the internal promoters of an upstream (sup9-e) gene. Different promoter mutations in latter prevent supS1 expression and thus provide a selection for extragenic mutations that suppress the transcriptional defect. Mutant strains have been isolated that suppress the effect of an A-block (sup9-e A19) promoter mutation. Genetic characterization, complementation analysis and a gene cloning protocol are described. In vitro transcription experiments with whole-cell extracts and fractionated transcription components from the mutant strains are proposed as a means to identify the mutant factors and study their mechanism of action. Studies on transcription factor structure- function relationships and the regulation of transcription factor activity will be conducted using these in vitro systems together with in vivo and in vitro mutagenesis strategies.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01GM042728-01
Application #
3301561
Study Section
Biochemistry Study Section (BIO)
Project Start
1989-07-01
Project End
1994-06-30
Budget Start
1989-07-01
Budget End
1990-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1989
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
009095365
City
Bronx
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10461
Nika, Heinz; Lee, JaeHoon; Willis, Ian M et al. (2012) Phosphopeptide characterization by mass spectrometry using reversed-phase supports for solid-phase ?-elimination/Michael addition. J Biomol Tech 23:51-68
Lee, Jaehoon; Moir, Robyn D; Willis, Ian M (2009) Regulation of RNA polymerase III transcription involves SCH9-dependent and SCH9-independent branches of the target of rapamycin (TOR) pathway. J Biol Chem 284:12604-8
Cabart, Pavel; Lee, JaeHoon; Willis, Ian M (2008) Facilitated recycling protects human RNA polymerase III from repression by Maf1 in vitro. J Biol Chem 283:36108-17
Willis, Ian M; Chua, Gordon; Tong, Amy H et al. (2008) Genetic interactions of MAF1 identify a role for Med20 in transcriptional repression of ribosomal protein genes. PLoS Genet 4:e1000112
Johnson, Sandra S; Zhang, Cheng; Fromm, Jody et al. (2007) Mammalian Maf1 is a negative regulator of transcription by all three nuclear RNA polymerases. Mol Cell 26:367-79
Willis, Ian M; Moir, Robyn D (2007) Integration of nutritional and stress signaling pathways by Maf1. Trends Biochem Sci 32:51-3
Caplan, Avrom J; Ma'ayan, Avi; Willis, Ian M (2007) Multiple kinases and system robustness: a link between Cdc37 and genome integrity. Cell Cycle 6:3145-7
Moir, Robyn D; Lee, JaeHoon; Haeusler, Rebecca A et al. (2006) Protein kinase A regulates RNA polymerase III transcription through the nuclear localization of Maf1. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 103:15044-9
Liao, Yanling; Moir, Robyn D; Willis, Ian M (2006) Interactions of Brf1 peptides with the tetratricopeptide repeat-containing subunit of TFIIIC inhibit and promote preinitiation complex assembly. Mol Cell Biol 26:5946-56
Desai, Neelam; Lee, Jaehoon; Upadhya, Rajendra et al. (2005) Two steps in Maf1-dependent repression of transcription by RNA polymerase III. J Biol Chem 280:6455-62

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