Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 links RNA polymerase II transcription to processing of ribosomal RNA - Research portal of Justus Liebig University Giessen:

Journal article

Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 links RNA polymerase II transcription to processing of ribosomal RNA

Authors list: Burger, K; Mühl, B; Rohrmoser, M; Coordes, B; Heidemann, M; Kellner, M; Gruber-Eber, A; Heissmeyer, V; Strässer, K; Eick, D

Publication year: 2013

Pages: 21173-21183

Journal: Journal of Biological Chemistry

Volume number: 288

Issue number: 29

ISSN: 0021-9258

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M113.483719

Publisher: Elsevier

Abstract:
Ribosome biogenesis is a process required for cellular growth and proliferation. Processing of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is highly sensitive to flavopiridol, a specific inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (Cdk9). Cdk9 has been characterized as the catalytic subunit of the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII). Here we studied the connection between RNAPII transcription and rRNA processing. We show that inhibition of RNAPII activity by α-amanitin specifically blocks processing of rRNA. The block is characterized by accumulation of 3' extended unprocessed 47 S rRNAs and the entire inhibition of other 47 S rRNA-specific processing steps. The transcription rate of rRNA is moderately reduced after inhibition of Cdk9, suggesting that defective 3' processing of rRNA negatively feeds back on RNAPI transcription. Knockdown of Cdk9 caused a strong reduction of the levels of RNAPII-transcribed U8 small nucleolar RNA, which is essential for 3' rRNA processing in mammalian cells. Our data demonstrate a pivotal role of Cdk9 activity for coupling of RNAPII transcription with small nucleolar RNA production and rRNA processing.

Authors/Editors

- Uni.-Prof. Dr. Katja Sträßer

Citation Styles

Harvard Citation style: Burger, K., Mühl, B., Rohrmoser, M., Coordes, B., Heidemann, M., Kellner, M., et al. (2013) Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 links RNA polymerase II transcription to processing of ribosomal RNA, Journal of Biological Chemistry, 288(29), pp. 21173-21183. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M113.483719

APA Citation style: Burger, K., Mühl, B., Rohrmoser, M., Coordes, B., Heidemann, M., Kellner, M., Gruber-Eber, A., Heissmeyer, V., Strässer, K., & Eick, D. (2013). Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 links RNA polymerase II transcription to processing of ribosomal RNA. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 288(29), 21173-21183. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M113.483719