Intron status and 3'-end formation control cotranscriptional export of mRNA

Messenger RNA export factors are recruited to genes in a transcription-dependent manner. To ascertain the mechanism of this process, we show that RNA polymerase II transcription is sufficient to recruit the Saccharomyces cerevisiae hnRNP protein Npl3 to a gene independent of RNA sequence. In contrast, the cotranscriptional recruitment of the RNA-binding protein Yra1 is dependent on pre-mRNA processing. Yra1 associates with introns of intron-containing genes in a splicing-dependent manner. Conversely, Yra1 recruitment to genes without introns is not dependent on splicing. Finally, 3'-end formation is required for Yra1 recruitment to genes regardless of intron status.