Characterization of Tau95 led to the identification of a four-subunit TFIIIC complex in trypanosomatid parasites
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ABSTRACT: RNA polymerase III (RNAP III) synthetizes small essential non-coding RNA molecules such as tRNAs and 5S rRNA. In yeast and vertebrates, RNAP III needs general transcription factors TFIIIA, TFIIIB and TFIIIC to initiate transcription. TFIIIC, composed of six subunits, binds to internal promoter elements in RNAP III-dependent genes. Limited information is available about RNAP III transcription in the trypanosomatid protozoa Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania major, which diverged early from the eukaryotic lineage. Analyses of the first draft of the trypanosomatid genome sequences failed to recognize orthologs of any of the TFIIIC subunits, suggesting that this transcription factor is absent in these parasites. However, a single putative TFIIIC subunit was recently annotated in the databases. Here we characterize this subunit in T. brucei and L. major and demonstrate that it corresponds to Tau95. In silico analyses showed that both proteins possess the typical Tau95 sequences: the DNA binding region and the dimerization domain. As anticipated for a transcription factor, Tau95 localized to the nucleus in insect forms of both parasites. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays demonstrated that Tau95 binds to tRNA and U2 snRNA genes in T. brucei. Remarkably, by performing tandem affinity purifications we identified orthologs of TFIIIC subunits Tau55, Tau131 and Tau138 in T. brucei and L. major. Thus, contrary to what was assumed, trypanosomatid parasites do possess a TFIIIC complex. Other putative interacting partners of Tau95 were identified in T. brucei and L. major.
INSTRUMENT(S): Orbitrap Fusion Lumos
ORGANISM(S): Trypanosoma Brucei Brucei Leishmania Major Strain Friedlin
SUBMITTER: Ebbing de Jong
LAB HEAD: Santiago Martinez-Calvillo
PROVIDER: PXD045036 | Pride | 2024-01-16
REPOSITORIES: Pride
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