Research article summary (published 29 Sep 2009):

Smicl is required for phosphorylation of RNA polymerase II and affects 3'-end processing of RNA at the midblastula transition in Xenopus.

Full Abstract

Smicl (Smad-interacting CPSF 30-like) is an unusual protein that interacts with transcription factors as well as with the cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor (CPSF). Previous work has shown that Smicl is expressed maternally in the Xenopus embryo and is later required for transcription of Chordin. In this paper we search for additional targets of Smicl. We identify many genes whose onset of expression at the midblastula transition (MBT) requires Smicl and is correlated with the translocation of Smicl from cytoplasm to nucleus. At least one such gene, Xiro1, is regulated via 3'-end processing. In searching for a general mechanism by which Smicl might regulate gene expression at the MBT, we have discovered that it interacts with the tail of Rpb1, the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II. Our results show that Smicl is required for the phosphorylation of the Rpb1 tail at serine 2 of the repeated heptapeptide YSPTSPS. This site becomes hyperphosphorylated at the MBT, thus allowing the docking of proteins required for elongation of transcription and RNA processing. Our work links the onset of zygotic gene expression in the Xenopus embryo with the translocation of Smicl from cytoplasm to nucleus, the phosphorylation of Rpb1 and the 3'-end processing of newly transcribed mRNAs.

Author information

Author/s: Collart, Clara (C); Ramis, Joana M (JM); Down, Thomas A (TA); Smith, James C (JC);

Affiliation: Wellcome Trust/CR-UK Gurdon Institute and Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.

Grants: (Agency:Wellcome Trust)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Development (Cambridge, England) (Development), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Oct; vol 136 (issue 20) : pp 3451-61

Dates: Created 2009/09/28; Completed 2009/10/13;

PMID: 19783735, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/13/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus Animals Blastula - metabolism Cell Line Gene Expression Profiling Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental Humans Nerve Tissue Proteins - genetics Phosphorylation

Polyadenylation Protein Binding Protein Subunits - genetics; metabolism RNA 3' End Processing RNA Polymerase II - genetics; metabolism Transcription Factors - genetics Transcription, Genetic Xenopus Proteins - genetics; metabolism Xenopus laevis - embryology; genetics; metabolism

Associated Chemicals: Nerve Tissue Proteins (0) ; Protein Subunits (0) ; Smicl protein, Xenopus (0) ; Transcription Factors (0) ; Xenopus Proteins (0) ; Xiro1 protein, Xenopus (0) ; RNA Polymerase II (EC 2.7.7.-)

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