Multiple protein/protein and protein/RNA interactions suggest roles for yeast DNA/RNA helicase Sen1p in transcription, transcription-coupled DNA repair and RNA processing

Nucleic Acids Res. 2004 Apr 30;32(8):2441-52. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkh561. Print 2004.

Abstract

Sen1p in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a Type I DNA/RNA helicase. Mutations in the helicase domain perturb accumulation of diverse RNA classes, and Sen1p has been implicated in 3' end formation of non-coding RNAs. Using a combination of global and candidate-specific two hybrid screens, eight proteins were identified that interact with Sen1p. Interactions with three of the proteins were analyzed further: Rpo21p(Rpb1p), a subunit of RNA polymerase II, Rad2p, a deoxyribonuclease required in DNA repair, and Rnt1p (RNase III), an endoribonuclease required for RNA maturation. For all three interactions, the two-hybrid results were confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation experiments. Genetic tests designed to assess the biological significance of the interactions indicate that Sen1p plays functionally significant roles in transcription and transcription-coupled DNA repair. To investigate the potential role of Sen1p in RNA processing and to assess the functional significance of the Sen1p/Rnt1p interaction, we examined U5 snRNA biogenesis. We provide evidence that Sen1p functions in concert with Rnt1p and the exosome at a late step in 3' end formation of one of the two mature forms of U5 snRNA but not the other. The protein-protein and protein-RNA interactions reported here suggest that the DNA/RNA helicase activity of Sen1p is utilized for several different purposes in multiple gene expression pathways.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Division
  • DNA Helicases / genetics
  • DNA Helicases / metabolism
  • DNA Helicases / physiology*
  • DNA Repair
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism
  • Fungal Proteins / physiology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Mutation
  • RNA Helicases / genetics
  • RNA Helicases / metabolism
  • RNA Helicases / physiology*
  • RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional
  • RNA, Fungal / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Nuclear / metabolism
  • Ribonuclease III / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / cytology
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / enzymology
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / physiology*
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques

Substances

  • Fungal Proteins
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • RNA, Fungal
  • RNA, Small Nuclear
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • U5 small nuclear RNA
  • RNT1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Ribonuclease III
  • SEN1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • DNA Helicases
  • RNA Helicases