Open AccessMaf1p, a Negative Effector of RNA Polymerase III in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Author(s) -
Krzysztof Pluta,
Olivier Lefebvre,
Nancy Martín,
Wiesław J. Smagowicz,
David R. Stanford,
Steven R. Ellis,
Anita K. Hopper,
A Sentenac,
Magdalena Boguta
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
molecular and cellular biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.14
H-Index - 327
eISSN - 1067-8824
pISSN - 0270-7306
DOI - 10.1128/mcb.21.15.5031-5040.2001
Subject(s) - rna polymerase iii , biology , rna polymerase ii , effector , transcription (linguistics) , rna polymerase , transfer rna , rna polymerase i , genetics , saccharomyces cerevisiae , rna , transcription factor ii d , gene , microbiology and biotechnology , gene expression , promoter , linguistics , philosophy
Although yeast RNA polymerase III (Pol III) and the auxiliary factors TFIIIC and TFIIIB are well characterized, the mechanisms of class III gene regulation are poorly understood. Previous studies identified MAF1, a gene that affects tRNA suppressor efficiency and interacts genetically with Pol III. We show here that tRNA levels are elevated in maf1 mutant cells. In keeping with the higher levels of tRNA observed in vivo, the in vitro rate of Pol III RNA synthesis is significantly increased in maf1 cell extracts. Mutations in the RPC160 gene encoding the largest subunit of Pol III which reduce tRNA levels were identified as suppressors of the maf1 growth defect. Interestingly, Maf1p is located in the nucleus and coimmunopurifies with epitope-tagged RNA Pol III. These results indicate that Maf1p acts as a negative effector of Pol III synthesis. This potential regulator of Pol III transcription is likely conserved since orthologs of Maf1p are present in other eukaryotes, including humans.