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Efficient release from promoter-proximal stall sites requires transcript cleavage factor TFIIS
Karen Adelman1, Michael T Marr, Janis Werner
1Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Molecular Cell
|January 5, 2005
Summary
Heat shock genes pause transcription. Transcript cleavage factor TFIIS is essential for releasing paused RNA polymerase II (Pol II) and rapidly inducing heat shock gene expression in Drosophila.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Gene Regulation
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Heat shock genes are transcriptionally poised, with RNA polymerase II (Pol II) stalled in the promoter-proximal region for rapid activation.
- The heat shock response involves efficient release of stalled Pol II and recruitment of additional factors for gene induction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of transcript cleavage factor TFIIS in the heat shock response of Drosophila.
- To determine how TFIIS influences the release of paused Pol II and subsequent gene activation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Drosophila melanogaster models to study hsp70 gene regulation.
- Employed tandem RNAi-ChIP assays to assess Pol II dynamics and TFIIS function.
Main Results:
- Confirmed that Pol II can arrest within the promoter-proximal region of Drosophila hsp70.
- Demonstrated that TFIIS is crucial for the rapid induction of hsp70 RNA.
- Showed TFIIS is not required for establishing paused Pol II but is critical for its release and subsequent Pol II recruitment.
Conclusions:
- TFIIS plays a vital role in overcoming Pol II arrest at the hsp70 promoter.
- TFIIS facilitates efficient heat shock gene induction by promoting Pol II release and re-initiation.