Sub2: A TFIIB Interacting Protein with Pleiotropic Roles in mRNA Synthesis, Processing and Transport

The generally accepted view is that different steps of transcription, mRNA processing and mRNA trafficking are performed by dedicated accessory factors. The research during last couple of decades, however, has challenged this dogma. We recently showed that the general transcription factor TFIIB, in addition to its well established role in initiation, is also involved in termination of transcription. Mass spectrometry of purified TFIIB revealed Sub2 as one of its major interacting partners. Sub2 has already been implicated in elongation step of transcription, splicing and mRNA trafficking. Interaction of Sub2 with TFIIB implicates it in initiation and termination steps of transcription. Multiplicity of Sub2 biological roles may be responsible for its link with a number of human pathological conditions making it a potential drug target.