Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Artificial RNA Polymerase II Elongation Complexes for Dissecting Co-transcriptional RNA Processing Events
Published on: May 13, 2019
Cotranscriptional recruitment of the mRNA export factor Yra1 by direct interaction with the 3' end processing factor
Sara Ann Johnson1, Gabrielle Cubberley, David L Bentley
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
Abstract:
We investigated recruitment of the yeast mRNA export factor Yra1 to the transcription elongation complex (TEC). Previously, the Sub2 helicase subunit of TREX was proposed to recruit Yra1. We report that Sub2 is dispensable for Yra1 recruitment, but the cleavage/polyadenylation factor, CF1A, is required. Yra1 binds directly to the Zn finger/Clp1 region of Pcf11, the pol II CTD-binding subunit of CF1A, and this interaction is conserved between their human homologs. Tethering of Pcf11 to nascent mRNA is sufficient to enhance Yra1 recruitment. Interaction with Pcf11 can therefore explain Yra1 binding to the TEC independently of Sub2. We propose that after initially binding to Pcf11, Yra1 is transferred to Sub2. Consistent with this idea, Pcf11 binds the same regions of Yra1 that also contact Sub2, indicating a mutually exclusive interaction. These results suggest a mechanism for cotranscriptional assembly of the export competent mRNP and for coordinating export with 3' end processing.
Related Concept Videos
Regulated mRNA Transport
Regulated mRNA Transport
Directing Proteins to the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
Nuclear Export of mRNA
Nuclear Export of mRNA
Nuclear Export
NES are of three types- the canonical 10-residue long leucine-rich signal and other...

