RNA polymerase II is distinguished by its large carboxyl-terminal repeat domain (CTD), composed of repeats of the consensus heptapeptide Tyr1-Ser2-Pro3-Thr4-Ser5-Pro6-Ser7. Differential phosphorylation of serine-2 and serine-5 at the 5' and 3' regions of genes appears to coordinate the localization of transcription and RNA processing factors to the elongating polymerase complex. Using monoclonal antibodies, we reveal serine-7 phosphorylation on transcribed genes. This position does not appear to be phosphorylated in CTDs of less than 20 consensus repeats. The position of repeats where serine-7 is substituted influenced the appearance of distinct phosphorylated forms, suggesting functional differences between CTD regions. Our results indicate that restriction of serine-7 epitopes to the Linker-proximal region limits CTD phosphorylation patterns and is a requirement for optimal gene expression.

Recent work has shown that RNA polymerase (Pol) II can be recruited to and transcribe distal regulatory regions. Here we analyzed transcription initiation and elongation through genome-wide localization of Pol II, general transcription factors (GTFs) and active chromatin in developing T cells. We show that Pol II and GTFs are recruited to known T cell-specific enhancers. We extend this observation to many new putative enhancers, a majority of which can be transcribed with or without polyadenylation. Importantly, we also identify genomic features called transcriptional initiation platforms (TIPs) that are characterized by large areas of Pol II and GTF recruitment at promoters, intergenic and intragenic regions. TIPs show variable widths (0.4-10 kb) and correlate with high CpG content and increased tissue specificity at promoters. Finally, we also report differential recruitment of TFIID and other GTFs at promoters and enhancers. Overall, we propose that TIPs represent important new regulatory hallmarks of the genome.

The RING ®nger protein CNOT4 is a component of the CCR4±NOT complex. This complex is implicated in repression of RNA polymerase II transcription. Here we demonstrate that CNOT4 functions as a ubiquitin±protein ligase (E3). We show that the unique C 4 C 4 RING domain of CNOT4 interacts with a subset of ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes (E2s). Using NMR spectroscopy, we detail the interaction of CNOT4 with UbcH5B and characterize RING residues that are critical for this interaction. CNOT4 acts as a potent E3 ligase in vitro. Mutations that destabilize the E2±E3 interface abolish this activity. Based on these results, we present a model of how E3 ligase function within the CCR4±NOT complex relates to transcriptional regulation.

The yeast CCR4-NOT protein complex is a global regulator of RNA polymerase II transcription. It is comprised of yeast NOT1 to NOT5, yeast CCR4 and additional proteins like yeast CAF1. Here we report the isolation of cDNAs encoding human NOT2, NOT3, NOT4 and a CAF1-like factor, CALIF. Analysis of their mRNA levels in different human tissues reveals a common ubiquitous expression pattern. A multitude of two-hybrid interactions among the human cDNAs suggest that their encoded proteins also form a complex in mammalian cells. Functional conservation of these proteins throughout evolution is supported by the observation that the isolated human NOT3 and NOT4 cDNAs can partially com-plement corresponding not mutations in yeast. Interestingly, human CALIF is highly homologous to, although clearly different from, a recently described human CAF1 protein. Conserved interactions of this factor with both NOT and CCR4 proteins and co-immunoprecipitation experiments suggest that CALIF is a bona fide component of the human CCR4-NOT complex.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEThe cyclin-dependent kinase CDK9 is an important therapeutic target but currently available inhibitors exhibit low specificity and/or narrow therapeutic windows. Here we have used a new highly specific CDK9 inhibitor, LDC000067 to interrogate gene control mechanisms mediated by CDK9. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHThe selectivity of LDC000067 was established in functional kinase assays. Functions of CDK9 in gene expression were assessed with in vitro transcription experiments, single gene analyses and genome-wide expression profiling. Cultures of mouse embryonic stem cells, HeLa cells, several cancer cell lines, along with cells from patients with acute myelogenous leukaemia were also used to investigate cellular responses to LDC000067. KEY RESULTSThe selectivity of LDC000067 for CDK9 over other CDKs exceeded that of the known inhibitors flavopiridol and DRB. LDC000067 inhibited in vitro transcription in an ATP-competitive and dose-dependent manner. Gene expression profiling of cells treated with LDC000067 demonstrated a selective reduction of short-lived mRNAs, including important regulators of proliferation and apoptosis. Analysis of de novo RNA synthesis suggested a wide ranging positive role of CDK9. At the molecular and cellular level, LDC000067 reproduced effects characteristic of CDK9 inhibition such as enhanced pausing of RNA polymerase II on genes and, most importantly, induction of apoptosis in cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSOur study provides a framework for the mechanistic understanding of cellular responses to CDK9 inhibition. LDC000067 represents a promising lead for the development of clinically useful, highly specific CDK9 inhibitors. AbbreviationsLDC067, LDC000067, 3-((6-(2-methoxyphenyl)pyrimidin-4-yl)amino)phenyl) methane sulfonamide; AML, acute myelogenous leukaemia; CDK, cyclin-dependent kinase; ChIP, chromatin immunoprecipitation; CTD, carboxyterminal domain; DRB, 5,6-dichloro-1-β-D-ribofuranosyl-benzimidazole; DSIF, DRB sensitivity-inducing factor; FRET, fluorescence resonance energy transfer; mESCs, mouse embryonic stem cells; NELF, negative elongation factor; P-TEFb, positive transcription elongation factor b; RNAPII, RNA polymerase II; RT-qPCR, reverse transcription-quantitative real-time PCR; Ser2/5/7-P, CTD phospho-Ser 2/5/7