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Updated: Feb 17, 2026

Analysis of mRNA Nuclear Export Kinetics in Mammalian Cells by Microinjection
Published on: December 4, 2010
WNK1 kinase and the termination factor PCF11 connect nuclear mRNA export with transcription
Adam Volanakis1, Kinga Kamieniarz-Gdula1, Margarita Schlackow1
1Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Nuclear gene transcription is coordinated with transcript release from the chromatin template and messenger RNA (mRNA) export to the cytoplasm. Here we describe the role of nuclear-localized kinase WNK1 (with no lysine [K] 1) in the mammalian mRNA export pathway even though it was previously established as a critical regulator of ion homeostasis in the cytoplasm. Our data reveal that WNK1 phosphorylates the termination factor PCF11 on its RNA polymerase II (Pol II) C-terminal domain (CTD)-interacting domain (CID). Furthermore, phosphorylation of the PCF11 CID weakens its interaction with Pol II. We predict that WNK1 and the associated phosphorylation of the PCF11 CID act to promote transcript release from chromatin-associated Pol II. This in turn facilitates mRNA export to the cytoplasm.
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