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The carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD) of the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (pol II) comprises multiple tandem repeats of the heptapeptide Tyr(1)-Ser(2)-Pro(3)-Thr(4)-Ser(5)-Pro(6)-Ser(7). This unusual structure serves as a platform for the binding of factors required for expression of pol II-transcribed genes, including the small nuclear RNA (snRNA) gene-specific Integrator complex. The pol II CTD specifically mediates recruitment of Integrator to the promoter of snRNA genes to activate transcription and direct 3' end processing of the transcripts. Phosphorylation of the CTD and a serine in position 7 are necessary for Integrator recruitment. Here, we have further investigated the requirement of the serines in the CTD heptapeptide and their phosphorylation for Integrator binding. We show that both Ser(2) and Ser(7) of the CTD are required and that phosphorylation of these residues is necessary and sufficient for efficient binding. Using synthetic phosphopeptides, we have determined the pattern of the minimal Ser(2)/Ser(7) double phosphorylation mark required for Integrator to interact with the CTD. This novel double phosphorylation mark is a new addition to the functional repertoire of the CTD code and may be a specific signal for snRNA gene expression.

Original publication

DOI

10.1074/jbc.M110.132530

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Biol Chem

Publication Date

02/07/2010

Volume

285

Pages

20564 - 20569

Keywords

Amino Acid Sequence, Binding Sites, Blotting, Western, Cell Nucleus, Glutathione Transferase, HeLa Cells, Humans, Oligopeptides, Peptide Fragments, Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases, RNA Polymerase II, RNA, Small Nuclear, Serine, Transcription, Genetic