. The broad objective of this proposal is to understand the mechanism of RNA polymerase II termination of both polyadenylated and non-polyadenylated transcripts. The factors and conditions that control this process play important roles in determining which genes are expressed and the level of their expression. We will continue to study the roles of Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNA-binding proteins Nrd1, Nab3 and the RNA helicase Sen1 in transcription termination. We will also investigate the roles of RNA polymerase II CTD phosphorylation and the function of a number of other RNA-binding proteins implicated in termination of both polyadenylated and non-polyadenylated transcripts. We will use a newly developed cross-linking technique to map the binding of RNA polymerase II and its termination factors to nascent RNAs in living cells. These maps and subsequent genetic and biochemical experiments will be used to: (i) identify terminator sequences that operate on different classes of RNA polymerase II transcripts and (ii) determine the mechanisms involved in removing RNA polymerase II from the template.

Public Health Relevance

. The precise point at which RNA polymerase transcription terminates can have important implications for expression of a given mRNA. In many cancers the 3'end of transcripts is different from that observed in normal cells and one of the RNA polymerase II termination factors (Sen1 or senataxin) is mutated in a spectrum of neurological disorders. Furthermore, the RNA-binding proteins that are the subject of our studies interact to form granules in stressed cells similar to granules formed by proteins involved in human neurological disorders. Thus, deeper understanding of the molecular mechanism of RNA polymerase II termination factors will advance our understanding of these human diseases.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01GM066108-09A1
Application #
8580682
Study Section
Molecular Genetics A Study Section (MGA)
Program Officer
Sledjeski, Darren D
Project Start
2002-07-01
Project End
2017-03-31
Budget Start
2013-08-01
Budget End
2014-03-31
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$386,940
Indirect Cost
$139,124
Name
Johns Hopkins University
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
001910777
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21218
Merran, Jonathan; Corden, Jeffry L (2017) Yeast RNA-Binding Protein Nab3 Regulates Genes Involved in Nitrogen Metabolism. Mol Cell Biol 37:
Ling, Jonathan P; Chhabra, Resham; Merran, Jonathan D et al. (2016) PTBP1 and PTBP2 Repress Nonconserved Cryptic Exons. Cell Rep 17:104-113
Corden, Jeffry L (2016) Pol II CTD Code Light. Mol Cell 61:183-4
Schaughency, Paul; Merran, Jonathan; Corden, Jeffry L (2014) Genome-wide mapping of yeast RNA polymerase II termination. PLoS Genet 10:e1004632
Kwon, Ilmin; Kato, Masato; Xiang, Siheng et al. (2013) Phosphorylation-regulated binding of RNA polymerase II to fibrous polymers of low-complexity domains. Cell 155:1049-1060
Corden, Jeffry L (2013) RNA polymerase II C-terminal domain: Tethering transcription to transcript and template. Chem Rev 113:8423-55
Darby, Miranda M; Serebreni, Leo; Pan, Xuewen et al. (2012) The Saccharomyces cerevisiae Nrd1-Nab3 transcription termination pathway acts in opposition to Ras signaling and mediates response to nutrient depletion. Mol Cell Biol 32:1762-75
Creamer, Tyler J; Darby, Miranda M; Jamonnak, Nuttara et al. (2011) Transcriptome-wide binding sites for components of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae non-poly(A) termination pathway: Nrd1, Nab3, and Sen1. PLoS Genet 7:e1002329
Corden, Jeff (2011) Going nuclear: transcribers in transit. Mol Cell 42:143-5
Jamonnak, Nuttara; Creamer, Tyler J; Darby, Miranda M et al. (2011) Yeast Nrd1, Nab3, and Sen1 transcriptome-wide binding maps suggest multiple roles in post-transcriptional RNA processing. RNA 17:2011-25

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