Crosstalk between mRNA 3' end processing and transcription initiation

Abstract

Transcription and mRNA maturation are interdependent events. Although stimulatory connections between these processes within the same round of transcription are well described, functional coupling between separate transcription cycles remains elusive. Comparing time-resolved transcription profiles of single-copy integrated β-globin gene variants, we demonstrate that a polyadenylation site mutation decreases transcription initiation of the same gene. Upon depletion of the 3' end processing and transcription termination factor PCF11, endogenous genes exhibit a similar phenotype. Readthrough RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) engaged on polyadenylation site-mutated transcription units sequester the transcription initiation/elongation factors TBP, TFIIB and CDK9, leading to their depletion at the promoter. Additionally, high levels of TBP and TFIIB appear inside the gene body, and Ser2-phosphorylated RNAPII accumulates at the promoter. Our data demonstrate that 3' end formation stimulates transcription initiation and suggest that coordinated recycling of factors from a gene terminator back to the promoter is essential for sustaining continued transcription.