Hairpin RNAs derived from RNA polymerase II and polymerase III promoter-directed transgenes are processed differently in plants

RNA polymerase III (Pol III) as well as Pol II (35S) promoters are able to drive hairpin RNA (hpRNA) expression and induce target gene silencing in plants. siRNAs of 21 nt are the predominant species in a 35S Pol II line, whereas 24- and/or 22-nucleotide (nt) siRNAs are produced by a Pol III line. The 35S line accumulated the loop of the hpRNA, in contrast to full-length hpRNA in the Pol III line. These suggest that Pol II and Pol III-transcribed hpRNAs are processed by different pathways. One Pol III transgene produced only 24-nt siRNAs but silenced the target gene efficiently, indicating that the 24-nt siRNAs can direct mRNA degradation; specific cleavage was confirmed by 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). Both Pol II- and Pol III-directed hpRNA transgenes induced cytosine methylation in the target DNA. The extent of methylation is not correlated with the level of 21-nt siRNAs, suggesting that they are not effective inducers of DNA methylation. The promoter of a U6 transgene was significantly methylated, whereas the promoter of the endogenous U6 gene was almost free of cytosine methylation, suggesting that endogenous sequences are more resistant to de novo DNA methylation than are transgene constructs.     

Regulation of promoter activity through electrostatic interactions with RNA polymerase

Electrostatic potential profiles were calculated for σ⁷⁰-specific phage T4 promoters and four consensus-like synthetic promoters. Promoters could be classified according to the presence of specific elements of the electrostatic profile in the farther upstream region (?60 to ?100). A correlation was found between the kind of such specific element and the functional behavior of the promoter. A general scheme is proposed whereby the promoter activity is regulated through electrostatic interactions between the upstream region of promoter DNA and the RNA polymerase α-subunit.     

Additional box B of RNA polymerase III promoter in SINE B1 can be functional

Many genes of small RNAs and short interspersed elements (SINEs) are transcribed by RNA polymerase III due to an internal promoter that is composed of two boxes (A and B) spaced by 30-45 bp. Rodent SINE B1 originated from 7SL RNA, and a 29-bp tandem duplication took place in B1 at an early stage of its evolution. As a result of this duplication, an additional box B (named B') located at a distance of 79-82 bp from box A arose in SINE B1. Here we have shown that despite the unusually large distance between boxes A and B', they can form an active promoter. In chinchillas, guinea pigs, and other rodents belonging to clade Ctenohystrica, structure of the B' box was well preserved and closely resembles the canonical B box. One may suggest therefore, that box B' can functionally replace box B in those copies of B1 where the latter has lost activity due to mutations.     

原子力显微镜力谱研究大肠杆菌启动子与RNA聚合酶的相互作用

【目的】本研究通过原子力显微镜(AFM)力谱技术研究了大肠杆菌启动子与RNA聚合酶(RNAp)间的相互作用,目的是建立一种高效的体外表征启动子的新方法。【方法】优化了用于单分子AFM力谱分析的蛋白固定化策略,建立AFM力谱分析启动子的策略,以缺失识别启动子序列的σ亚基核心RNA聚合酶(RNAp-C)为对照,研究启动子/RNAp间相互作用的特异性。最后比较了序列较典型的Ls1启动子和缺失–10区的Ls2启动子的力谱。【结果】基于建立的方法,验证了Ls1与大肠杆菌RNAp结合的特异性,其相互作用力为(331.10±5.10)p N。与Ls1相比,Ls2启动子与RNAp结合显著减少。利用启动子探针质粒,以报告基因cat的表达产物氯霉素乙酰转移酶(CAT)的酶活验证Ls1、Ls2启动子强度,分别为(181.70±4.10)、(0.30±0.20)U/mg。【结论】本研究建立的基于AFM力谱技术的启动子分析技术,是一种高效的、直接定量表征启动子活性的新方法。     

DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II from nuclei of suspension-cultured tobacco cells

From isolated nuclei of suspension cultured cells of Nicotiana tabacum. DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II (E.C. 2.7.76) has been purified to homogeneity as evidenced by polyacrylamidegel electrophoresis under non-denaturing conditions. The purified enzyme had a specific activity of more than 15 nmol min^-1·mg^-1 with denatured calf thymus DNA as template. Sodium-dodecyl-sulfate gel electrophoresis and protein highperformance liquid chromatography revealed a subunit composition of four proteins with molecular weights of 165 000, 135 000, 35 000 and 25 000 and with a stoichiometry of 1:1:2:2. The RNA polymerase did not exhibit any detectable proteinkinase activity. The 25 000 subunit binds ADP in a molar ratio of 1:1; it could not be decided whether this subunit has an ATPase activity or is merely an acceptor of ADP.Abbreviations HPLC high-performance liquid chromatography - PMSF phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride - SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate This contribution is dedicated to Professor Fritz Cramer on the occasion of his 60th birthday