Interactions between RNAP III transcription machinery and tRNA processing factors

• Published in: Biochimica et biophysica acta. Gene regulatory mechanisms Vol. 1861; no. 4; pp. 354 - 360
• Main Author: Arimbasseri, G. Aneeshkumar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.04.2018
• Subjects: Autoantigens - genetics; Autoantigens - metabolism; Cell Nucleus - metabolism; Cytoplasm - metabolism; Eukaryotic Cells - metabolism; Gene Expression Regulation; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; Mutation; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Repressor Proteins - genetics; Ribonucleoproteins - genetics; Ribonucleoproteins - metabolism; RNA Polymerase III - genetics; RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional; RNA, Fungal - genetics; RNA, Transfer - genetics; Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins - genetics; Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins - genetics; SS-B Antigen; Transcription Factors - genetics; Transcription, Genetic; m22G; CTD; TGM; m1A; RNAP
• ISSN: 1874-9399; 1876-4320
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2018.02.003

Eukaryotes have at least three nuclear RNA polymerases to carry out transcription. While RNA polymerases I and II are responsible for ribosomal RNA transcription and messenger RNA transcription, respectively, RNA Polymerase III transcribes approximately up to 300 nt long noncoding RNAs, including tRNA. For all three RNAPs, the nascent transcripts generated undergo extensive post-transcriptional processing. Transcription of mRNAs by RNAP II and their processing are coupled with the aid of the C-terminal domain of the RNAP II. RNAP I transcription and the processing of its transcripts are co-localized to the nucleolus and to some extent, rRNA processing occurs co-transcriptionally. Here, I review the current evidence for the interaction between tRNA processing factors and RNA polymerase III. These interactions include the moonlighting functions of tRNA processing factors in RNAP III transcription and the indirect effect of tRNA transcription levels on tRNA modification machinery. •tRNA processing factors such as RNaseP and La protein interact with RNAP III transcription machinery.•tRNA processing factors such as Mod5, RNaseP and La protein are associated with tRNA genes.•Dysregulation of transcription levels of tRNA genes leads to processing defects.