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Initiation and regulation mechanisms of ribosomal RNA transcription in the eukaryote Acanthamoeba castellanii

  • Ribosome Biogenesis: Transcription of rDNA
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Abstract

Acanthamoeba rRNA transcription involves the binding of a transcription initiation factor (TIF) to the core promoter of rDNA to form the preinitiation complex. This complex is formed in the absence of RNA polymerase I, and persists for multiple rounds of initiation. Polymerase I next binds to form the initiation complex. This binding is DNA sequence-independent, and is directed by protein-protein contacts with TIF. DNA melting occurs in a separate step. In contrast to most prokaryotic transcription, melting occurs only following nucleotide addition and β-γ hydrolysis of ATP is not required as for polymerase II. Growth-dependent regulation of rRNA transcription is accomplished by modification of RNA polymerase I. The inactive form of polymerase (PolE) is unable to bind to the promoter and has altered heat stability. PolE is still active in elongation; thus, the modification affects the polymerase site involved in TIF contact. Modification of a polymerases I and III common subunit has been detected leading to the suggestion that transcription of stable RNAs of the ribosome might be co-regulated by this mechanism.

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Author notes

  1. Erik Bateman

    Present address: Department of Medical Biology, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, 05405, Burlington, VT, USA

  2. Laura Hoffman

    Present address: Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Utah, 84132, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

  3. Michael Zwick

    Present address: Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, 65211, Columbia, MO, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and the Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Colorado State University, 80523, Fort Collins, CO, USA

    Marvin R. Paule, Erik Bateman, Laura Hoffman, Calvin Iida, Martin Imboden, William Kubaska, Preecha Kownin, Han Li, Alan Lofquist, Peggy Risi, Qin Yang & Michael Zwick

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  1. Marvin R. Paule
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  2. Erik Bateman
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  3. Laura Hoffman
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  4. Calvin Iida
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  5. Martin Imboden
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  7. Preecha Kownin
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  9. Alan Lofquist
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  10. Peggy Risi
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  11. Qin Yang
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  12. Michael Zwick
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Dedicated to the memory of Preecha Kownin

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Paule, M.R., Bateman, E., Hoffman, L. et al. Initiation and regulation mechanisms of ribosomal RNA transcription in the eukaryote Acanthamoeba castellanii. Mol Cell Biochem 104, 119–126 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00229811

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