Abstract In eukaryotes, three RNA polymerases (RNAPs) play essential roles in the synthesis of various types of RNA: namely, RNAPI for rRNA; RNAPII for mRNA and most snRNAs; and RNAPIII for tRNA and Show more
Abstract In eukaryotes, three RNA polymerases (RNAPs) play essential roles in the synthesis of various types of RNA: namely, RNAPI for rRNA; RNAPII for mRNA and most snRNAs; and RNAPIII for tRNA and other small RNAs. All three RNAPs possess a short flexible tail derived from their common subunit RPB6. However, the function of this shared N-terminal tail (NTT) is not clear. Here we show that NTT interacts with the PH domain (PH-D) of the p62 subunit of the general transcription/repair factor TFIIH, and present the structures of RPB6 unbound and bound to PH-D by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Using available cryo-EM structures, we modelled the activated elongation complex of RNAPII bound to TFIIH. We also provide evidence that the recruitment of TFIIH to transcription sites through the p62âRPB6 interaction is a common mechanism for transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair (TC-NER) of RNAPI- and RNAPII-transcribed genes. Moreover, point mutations in the RPB6 NTT cause a significant reduction in transcription of RNAPI-, RNAPII-Â and RNAPIII-transcribed genes. These and other results show that the p62âRPB6 interaction plays multiple roles in transcription, TC-NER, and cell proliferation, suggesting that TFIIH is engaged in all RNAP systems. Show less
Platinum-based anticancer drugs represented by cisplatin play important roles in the treatment of various solid tumors. However, their applications are largely compromised by drug resistance and side Show more
Platinum-based anticancer drugs represented by cisplatin play important roles in the treatment of various solid tumors. However, their applications are largely compromised by drug resistance and side effects. Much effort has been made to circumvent the drug resistance and general toxicity of these drugs. Among multifarious designs, monofunctional platinum(II) complexes with a general formula of [Pt(3A)Cl] + (A: Ammonia or amine) stand out as a class of ânon-traditionalâ anticancer agents hopeful to overcome the defects of current platinum drugs. This review aims to summarize the development of monofunctional platinum(II) complexes in recent years. They are classified into four categories: fluorescent complexes, photoactive complexes, targeted complexes, and miscellaneous complexes. The intention behind the designs is either to visualize the cellular distribution, or to reduce the side effects, or to improve the tumor selectivity, or inhibit the cancer cells through non-DNA targets. The information provided by this review may inspire researchers to conceive more innovative complexes with potent efficacy to shake off the drawbacks of platinum anticancer drugs. Show less
Abstract TFIIH is a 10âsubunit complex that regulates RNA polymerase II (pol II) transcription but also serves other important biological roles. Although much remains unknown about TFIIH function in Show more
Abstract TFIIH is a 10âsubunit complex that regulates RNA polymerase II (pol II) transcription but also serves other important biological roles. Although much remains unknown about TFIIH function in eukaryotic cells, much progress has been made even in just the past few years, due in part to technological advances (e.g. cryoEM and single molecule methods) and the development of chemical inhibitors of TFIIH enzymes. This review focuses on the major cellular roles for TFIIH, with an emphasis on TFIIH function as a regulator of pol II transcription. We describe the structure of TFIIH and its roles in pol II initiation, promoterâproximal pausing, elongation, and termination. We also discuss cellular roles for TFIIH beyond transcription (e.g. DNA repair, cell cycle regulation) and summarize small molecule inhibitors of TFIIH and diseases associated with defects in TFIIH structure and function. Show less
A wide range of environmental and carcinogenic agents form bulky lesions on DNA that are removed from the human genome in the form of short, âź30-nucleotide oligonucleotides by the process of nucleotid Show more
A wide range of environmental and carcinogenic agents form bulky lesions on DNA that are removed from the human genome in the form of short, âź30-nucleotide oligonucleotides by the process of nucleotide excision repair. Although significant insights have been made regarding the mechanisms of damage recognition, dual incisions, and repair resynthesis during nucleotide excision repair, the fate of the dual incision/excision product is unknown. Using excision assays with both mammalian cell-free extract and purified proteins, we unexpectedly discovered that lesion-containing oligonucleotides are released from duplex DNA in complex with the general transcription and repair factor, Transcription Factor IIH (TFIIH). Release of excision products from TFIIH requires ATP but not ATP hydrolysis, and release occurs slowly, with a t(1/2) of 3.3 h. Excised oligonucleotides released from TFIIH then become bound by the single-stranded binding protein Replication Protein A or are targeted by cellular nucleases. These results provide a mechanism for release and an understanding of the initial fate of excised oligonucleotides during nucleotide excision repair. Show less
Exposure of cells to UV light from the sun causes the formation of pyrimidine dimers in DNA that have the potential to lead to mutation and cancer. In humans, pyrimidine dimers are removed from the ge Show more
Exposure of cells to UV light from the sun causes the formation of pyrimidine dimers in DNA that have the potential to lead to mutation and cancer. In humans, pyrimidine dimers are removed from the genome in the form of ~30 nt-long oligomers by concerted dual incisions. Though nearly 50 y of excision repair research has uncovered many details of UV photoproduct damage recognition and removal, the fate of the excised oligonucleotides and, in particular, the ultimate fate of the chemically very stable pyrimidine dimers remain unknown. Physiologically relevant UV doses introduce hundreds of thousands of pyrimidine dimers in diploid human cells, which are excised from the genome within ~24 h. Once removed from the genome, "where do all the dimers go?" In a recent study we addressed this question. Although our study did not determine the fate of the dimer itself, it revealed that the excised ~30-mer is released from the duplex in a tight complex with the transcription/repair factor TFIIH. This finding combined with recent reports that base and oligonucleotide products of the base and double-strand break repair pathways also make stable complexes with the cognate repair enzymes, and that these complexes activate the MAP kinase and checkpoint signaling pathways, respectively, raises the possibility that TFIIH-30-mer excision complexes may play a role in signaling reactions in response to UV damage. Show less
Nucleotide excision repair is a major cellular defense mechanism against the toxic effects of the anticancer drug cisplatin and other platinum-based chemotherapeutic agents. In this study, mononucleos Show more
Nucleotide excision repair is a major cellular defense mechanism against the toxic effects of the anticancer drug cisplatin and other platinum-based chemotherapeutic agents. In this study, mononucleosomes were prepared containing either a site-specific cis-diammineplatinum(II)-DNA intrastrand d(GpG) or a d(GpTpG) cross-link. The ability of the histone core to modulate the excision of these defined platinum adducts was investigated as a model for exploring the cellular response to platinum-DNA adducts in chromatin. Comparison of the extent of repair by mammalian cell extracts of free and nucleosomal DNA containing the same platinum-DNA adduct reveals that the nucleosome significantly inhibits nucleotide excision repair. With the GTG-Pt DNA substrate, the nucleosome inhibits excision to about 10% of the level observed with free DNA, whereas with the less efficient GG-Pt DNA substrate the nucleosome inhibited excision to about 30% of the level observed with free DNA. The effects of post-translational modification of histones on excision of platinum damage from nucleosomes were investigated by comparing native and recombinant nucleosomes containing the same intrastrand d(GpTpG) cross-link. Excision from native nucleosomal DNA is approximately 2-fold higher than the level observed with recombinant material. This result reveals that post-translational modification of histones can modulate nucleotide excision repair from damaged chromatin. The in vitro system established in this study will facilitate the investigation of platinum-DNA damage by DNA repair processes and help elucidate the role of specific post-translational modification in NER of platinum-DNA adducts at the physiologically relevant nucleosome level. Show less