Multiple P-TEFbs cooperatively regulate the release of promoter-proximally paused RNA polymerase II

Xiaodong Lu, Xinxing Zhu, You Li, Min Liu, Bin Yu, Yu Wang, Muhua Rao, Haiyang Yang, Kai Zhou, Yao Wang, Yanheng Chen, Meihua Chen, Songkuan Zhuang, Lin Feng Chen, Runzhong Liu, Ruichuan Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The association of DSIF and NELF with initiated RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) is the general mechanism for inducing promoter-proximal pausing of Pol II. However, it remains largely unclear how the paused Pol II is released in response to stimulation. Here, we show that the release of the paused Pol II is cooperatively regulated by multiple P-TEFbs which are recruited by bromodomain-containing protein Brd4 and super elongation complex (SEC) via different recruitment mechanisms. Upon stimulation, Brd4 recruits P-TEFb to Spt5/DSIF via a recruitment pathway consisting of Med1, Med23 and Tat-SF1, whereas SEC recruits P-TEFb to NELF-A and NELF-E via Paf1c and Med26, respectively. P-TEFb-mediated phosphorylation of Spt5, NELF-A and NELF-E results in the dissociation of NELF from Pol II, thereby transiting transcription from pausing to elongation. Additionally, we demonstrate that P-TEFb-mediated Ser2 phosphorylation of Pol II is dispensable for pause release. Therefore, our studies reveal a co-regulatory mechanism of Brd4 and SEC in modulating the transcriptional pause release by recruiting multiple P-TEFbs via a Mediator- and Paf1c-coordinated recruitment network.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)6853-6867
Number of pages15
JournalNucleic acids research
Volume44
Issue number14
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 19 2016

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Genetics

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