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Query: EC:2.7.7.6 (
RNA polymerase
)
34,946
document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)
Histone methylation and the enzymes that mediate it are important regulators of chromatin structure and gene transcription. In particular, the histone H3 lysine 36 (
K36
) methyltransferase Set2 has recently been shown to associate with the phosphorylated C-terminal domain (CTD) of
RNA polymerase II
(RNAPII), implying that this enzyme has an important role in the transcription elongation process. Here we show that a novel domain in the C terminus of Set2 is responsible for interaction between Set2 and RNAPII. This domain, termed the Set2 Rpb1 interacting (SRI) domain, is encompassed by amino acid residues 619 to 718 in Set2 and is found to occur in a number of putative Set2 homologs from Schizosaccharomyces pombe to humans. Unexpectedly, BIACORE analysis reveals that the SRI domain binds specifically, and with high affinity, to CTD repeats that are doubly modified (serine 2 and serine 5 phosphorylated), indicating that Set2 association across the body of genes requires a specific pattern of phosphorylated RNAPII. Deletion of the SRI domain not only abolishes Set2-RNAPII interaction but also abolishes
K36
methylation in vivo, indicating that this interaction is required for establishing
K36
methylation on chromatin. Using 6-azauracil (6AU) as an indicator of transcription elongation defects, we found that deletion of the SRI domain conferred a strong resistance to this compound, which was identical to that observed with set2 deletion mutants. Furthermore, yeast strains carrying set2 alleles that are catalytically inactive or yeast strains bearing point mutations at
K36
were also found to be resistant to 6AU. These data suggest that it is the methylation by Set2 that affects transcription elongation. In agreement with this, we have determined that deletion of SET2, its SRI domain, or amino acid substitutions at
K36
result in an alteration of RNAPII occupancy levels over transcribing genes. Taken together, these data indicate
K36
methylation, established by the SRI domain-mediated association of Set2 with RNAPII, plays an important role in the transcription elongation process.
...
PMID:A novel domain in Set2 mediates RNA polymerase II interaction and couples histone H3 K36 methylation with transcript elongation. 1579 14
Set2 methylation of histone H3 at lysine 36 (
K36
) has recently been shown to be associated with
RNA polymerase II
(Pol II) elongation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, whether this modification is conserved and associated with transcription elongation in other organisms is not known. Here we report the identification and characterization of the Set2 ortholog responsible for
K36
methylation in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. We find that similar to the budding yeast enzyme, S. pombe Set2 is also a robust nucleosome-selective H3 methyltransferase that is specific for
K36
. Deletion of the S. pombe set2+ gene results in complete abolishment of
K36
methylation as well as a slow-growth phenotype on plates containing synthetic medium. These results indicate that Set2 is the sole enzyme responsible for this modification in fission yeast and is important for cell growth under stressed conditions. Using the chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, we demonstrate that
K36
methylation in S. pombe is associated with the transcribed regions of Pol II-regulated genes and is devoid in regions that are not transcribed by Pol II. Consistent with a role for Set2 in transcription elongation, we find that S. pombe Set2 associates with the hyperphosphorylated form of Pol II and can fully rescue
K36
methylation and Pol II interaction in budding yeast cells deleted for Set2. These results, along with our finding that
K36
methylation is highly conserved among eukaryotes, imply a conserved role for this modification in the transcription elongation process.
...
PMID:Histone H3 K36 methylation is associated with transcription elongation in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. 1608 49
Eaf3, a component of the NuA4 histone acetylase and Rpd3 histone deacetylase complexes, is important for the global pattern of histone acetylation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Preferential deacetylation of coding regions requires the Eaf3 chromodomain and H3-
K36
methylation by Set2. The Eaf3 chromodomain interacts with methylated H3-
K36
peptides, suggesting that this interaction leads to preferential association and histone deacetylation of the 3' portions of coding regions by the Rpd3 complex. However, the Eaf3 chromodomain and H3-
K36
methylation do not significantly affect acetylation at promoters, suggesting that Eaf3 has a distinct function, presumably in the NuA4 complex. Lastly, Eaf3 inhibits internal initiation within mRNA coding regions in a manner similar to FACT and Spt6. Our results link the pattern of preferential deacetylation at coding regions to the underlying patterns of H3-
K36
methylation and phosphorylation of the
RNA polymerase II
C-terminal domain, and ultimately to the mechanism by which repressive chromatin structure is restored after transcriptional elongation.
...
PMID:Eaf3 chromodomain interaction with methylated H3-K36 links histone deacetylation to Pol II elongation. 1636 21
BUR1 and BUR2 encode the catalytic and regulatory subunits of a cyclin-dependent protein kinase complex that is essential for normal growth and has a general role in transcription elongation. To gain insight into its specific role in vivo, we identified mutations that reverse the severe growth defect of bur1Delta cells. This selection identified mutations in SET2, which encodes a histone methylase that targets lysine 36 of histone H3 and, like BUR1, has a poorly characterized role during transcription elongation. This genetic relationship indicates that SET2 activity is required for the growth defect observed in bur1Delta strains. This SET2-dependent growth inhibition occurs via methylation of histone H3 on lysine 36, since a methylation-defective allele of SET2 or a histone H3 K36R mutation also suppressed bur1Delta. We have explored the relationship between BUR1 and SET2 at the biochemical level and find that histone H3 is monomethylated, dimethylated, and trimethylated on lysine 36 in wild-type cells, but trimethylation is significantly reduced in bur1 and bur2 mutant strains. A similar methylation pattern is observed in
RNA polymerase II
C-terminal domain truncation mutants and in an spt16 mutant strain. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays reveal that the transcription-dependent increase in trimethylated
K36
over open reading frames is significantly reduced in bur2Delta strains. These results establish links between a regulatory protein kinase and histone methylation and lead to a model in which the Bur1-Bur2 complex counteracts an inhibitory effect of Set2-dependent histone methylation.
...
PMID:The BUR1 cyclin-dependent protein kinase is required for the normal pattern of histone methylation by SET2. 1658 78
The establishment of epigenetic marks, such as methylation on histone tails, is mechanistically linked to
RNA polymerase II
within active genes. To explore the interplay between these modifications in transcribed noncoding as well as coding sequences, we analyzed epigenetic modification and chromatin structure at high resolution across 300 kb of human chromosome 11, including the beta-globin locus which is extensively transcribed in intergenic regions. Monomethylated H3K4, K9, and
K36
were broadly distributed, while hypermethylated forms appeared to different extents across the region in a manner reflecting transcriptional activity. The trimethylation of H3K4 and H3K9 correlated within the most highly transcribed sequences. The H3K36me3 mark was more broadly detected in transcribed coding and noncoding sequences, suggesting that K36me3 is a stable mark on sequences transcribed at any level. Most epigenetic and chromatin structural features did not undergo transitions at the presumed borders of the globin domain where the insulator factor CTCF interacts, raising questions about the function of the borders.
...
PMID:Distinctive signatures of histone methylation in transcribed coding and noncoding human beta-globin sequences. 1715 30
Chromatin structure exerts vital control over gene expression, DNA replication, recombination, and repair. In addition to altering
RNA polymerase II
's (Pol II) accessibility to DNA, histones are involved in the recruitment of activator and repressor complex(es) to regulate gene expression. Histone deacetylase Rpd3 exists in two distinct forms, Rpd3S and Rpd3L. Several recent studies demonstrated that the Eaf3 chromodomain, an Rpd3S subunit, recognizes Set2-methylated histone H3K36, initiating Rpd3 deacetylase activity in the wake of transcribing Pol II. Eaf3 and Set2 inhibit internal initiation within mRNA coding regions, similar to the transcription elongation factor and histone chaperone, FACT. Recent studies reviewed here demonstrate that histone deacetylation on the body of a transcribed gene is regulated via Set2-mediated methylation of histone H3-
K36
. These modifications provide restoration of normal chromatin structure in the wake of elongating Pol II and prevent inappropriate initiation within protein-coding regions masked by chromatin.
...
PMID:A site to remember: H3K36 methylation a mark for histone deacetylation. 1734 57
Lysine methylation has important functions in biological processes that range from heterochromatin formation to transcription regulation. Here, we demonstrate that Drosophila dSet2 encodes a developmentally essential histone H3 lysine 36 (
K36
) methyltransferase. Larvae subjected to RNA interference-mediated (RNAi) suppression of dSet2 lack dSet2 expression and H3-
K36
methylation, indicating that dSet2 is the sole enzyme responsible for this modification in Drosophila melanogaster. dSet2 RNAi blocks puparium formation and adult development, and causes partial (blister) separation of the dorsal and ventral wing epithelia, defects suggesting a failure of the ecdysone-controlled genetic program. A transheterozygous EcR null mutation/dSet2 RNAi combination produces a complete (balloon) separation of the wing surfaces, revealing a genetic interaction between EcR and dSet2. Using immunoprecipitation, we demonstrate that dSet2 associates with the hyperphosphorylated form of
RNA polymerase II
(RNAPII).
...
PMID:Drosophila dSet2 functions in H3-K36 methylation and is required for development. 1756 May 46
CHD1 encodes an ATP-dependent chromatin remodeler with two chromodomains. Deletion of CHD1 suppresses the temperature-sensitive growth defect caused by mutations in either SPT16 or POB3, which encode subunits of the yFACT chromatin-reorganizing complex. chd1 also suppresses synthetic defects caused by combining an spt16 mutation with other transcription factor mutations, including the synthetic lethality caused by combining an spt16 mutation with TATA binding protein (TBP) or TFIIA defects. Binding of TBP and
RNA polymerase II
to the GAL1 promoter is reduced in a pob3 mutant, resulting in low levels of GAL1 expression, and all three defects are suppressed by removing Chd1. These results suggest that Chd1 and yFACT have opposing roles in regulating TBP binding at promoters. Additionally, overexpression of Chd1 is tolerated in wild-type cells but is toxic in spt16 mutants. Further, both the ATPase and chromodomain are required for Chd1 activity in opposing yFACT function. Similar to the suppression by chd1, mutations in the SET2 histone methyltransferase also suppress defects caused by yFACT mutations. chd1 and set2 are additive in suppressing pob3, suggesting that Chd1 and Set2 act in distinct pathways. Although human Chd1 has been shown to bind to H3-K4-Me, we discuss evidence arguing that yeast Chd1 binds to neither H3-K4-Me nor H3-
K36
-Me.
...
PMID:Chd1 and yFACT act in opposition in regulating transcription. 1762 Apr 14
Set2-mediated H3
K36
methylation is an important histone modification on chromatin during transcription elongation. Although Set2 associates with the phosphorylated C-terminal domain (CTD) of
RNA polymerase II
(RNAPII), the mechanism of Set2 binding to chromatin and subsequent exertion of its methyltransferase activity is relatively uncharacterized. We identified a critical lysine residue in histone H4 that is needed for interaction with Set2 and proper H3
K36
di- and trimethylation. We also determined that the N terminus of Set2 contains a histone H4 interaction motif that allows Set2 to bind histone H4 and nucleosomes. A Set2 mutant lacking the histone H4 interaction motif is able to bind to the phosphorylated CTD of RNAPII and associate with gene-specific loci but is defective for H3
K36
di- and trimethylation. In addition, this Set2 mutant shows increased H4 acetylation and resistance to 6-Azauracil. Overall, our study defines a new interaction between Set2 and histone H4 that mediates trans-histone regulation of H3
K36
methylation, which is needed for the preventative maintenance and integrity of the genome.
...
PMID:Histone H3 K36 methylation is mediated by a trans-histone methylation pathway involving an interaction between Set2 and histone H4. 1892 77
Elongation by
RNA polymerase II
(RNAPII) is a finely regulated process in which many elongation factors contribute to gene regulation. Among these factors are the polymerase-associated factor (PAF) complex, which associates with RNAPII, and several cyclin-dependent kinases, including positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) in humans and BUR kinase (Bur1-Bur2) and C-terminal domain (CTD) kinase 1 (CTDK1) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. An important target of P-TEFb and CTDK1, but not BUR kinase, is the CTD of the Rpb1 subunit of RNAPII. Although the essential BUR kinase phosphorylates Rad6, which is required for histone H2B ubiquitination on K123, Rad6 is not essential, leaving a critical substrate(s) of BUR kinase unidentified. Here we show that BUR kinase is important for the phosphorylation in vivo of Spt5, a subunit of the essential yeast RNAPII elongation factor Spt4/Spt5, whose human orthologue is DRB sensitivity-inducing factor. BUR kinase can also phosphorylate the C-terminal region (CTR) of Spt5 in vitro. Like BUR kinase, the Spt5 CTR is important for promoting elongation by RNAPII and recruiting the PAF complex to transcribed regions. Also like BUR kinase and the PAF complex, the Spt5 CTR is important for histone H2B K123 monoubiquitination and histone H3 K4 and
K36
trimethylation during transcription elongation. Our results suggest that the Spt5 CTR, which contains 15 repeats of a hexapeptide whose consensus sequence is S[T/A]WGG[A/Q], is a substrate of BUR kinase and a platform for the association of proteins that promote both transcription elongation and histone modification in transcribed regions.
...
PMID:Control of transcriptional elongation and cotranscriptional histone modification by the yeast BUR kinase substrate Spt5. 1936 74
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