The SR protein B52/SRp55 is required for DNA topoisomerase I recruitment to chromatin, mRNA release and transcription shutdown

PLoS Genet. 2010 Sep 16;6(9):e1001124. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1001124.

Abstract

DNA- and RNA-processing pathways are integrated and interconnected in the eukaryotic nucleus to allow efficient gene expression and to maintain genomic stability. The recruitment of DNA Topoisomerase I (Topo I), an enzyme controlling DNA supercoiling and acting as a specific kinase for the SR-protein family of splicing factors, to highly transcribed loci represents a mechanism by which transcription and processing can be coordinated and genomic instability avoided. Here we show that Drosophila Topo I associates with and phosphorylates the SR protein B52. Surprisingly, expression of a high-affinity binding site for B52 in transgenic flies restricted localization, not only of B52, but also of Topo I to this single transcription site, whereas B52 RNAi knockdown induced mis-localization of Topo I in the nucleolus. Impaired delivery of Topo I to a heat shock gene caused retention of the mRNA at its site of transcription and delayed gene deactivation after heat shock. Our data show that B52 delivers Topo I to RNA polymerase II-active chromatin loci and provide the first evidence that DNA topology and mRNA release can be coordinated to control gene expression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Nucleolus / metabolism
  • Chromatin / enzymology*
  • DNA Topoisomerases, Type I / metabolism*
  • Drosophila Proteins / deficiency
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics*
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / cytology
  • Drosophila melanogaster / enzymology*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics*
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / genetics*
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Nuclear Proteins / deficiency
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Phosphoproteins / deficiency
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Polytene Chromosomes / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Protein Transport
  • RNA Splicing Factors
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic*

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Hsp70Aa protein, Drosophila
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Phosphoproteins
  • RNA Splicing Factors
  • RNA, Messenger
  • B52 protein, Drosophila
  • Protein Kinases
  • DNA Topoisomerases, Type I