Integrator subunit 4 is a 'Symplekin-like' scaffold that associates with INTS9/11 to form the Integrator cleavage module

Nucleic Acids Res. 2018 May 4;46(8):4241-4255. doi: 10.1093/nar/gky100.

Abstract

Integrator (INT) is a transcriptional regulatory complex associated with RNA polymerase II that is required for the 3'-end processing of both UsnRNAs and enhancer RNAs. Integrator subunits 9 (INTS9) and INTS11 constitute the catalytic core of INT and are paralogues of the cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factors CPSF100 and CPSF73. While CPSF73/100 are known to associate with a third protein called Symplekin, there is no paralog of Symplekin within INT raising the question of how INTS9/11 associate with the other INT subunits. Here, we have identified that INTS4 is a specific and conserved interaction partner of INTS9/11 that does not interact with either subunit individually. Although INTS4 has no significant homology with Symplekin, it possesses N-terminal HEAT repeats similar to Symplekin but also contains a β-sheet rich C-terminal region, both of which are important to bind INTS9/11. We assess three functions of INT including UsnRNA 3'-end processing, maintenance of Cajal body structural integrity, and formation of histone locus bodies to conclude that INTS4/9/11 are the most critical of the INT subunits for UsnRNA biogenesis. Altogether, these results indicate that INTS4/9/11 compose a heterotrimeric complex that likely represents the Integrator 'cleavage module' responsible for its endonucleolytic activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism
  • Endoribonucleases / metabolism*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Nuclear Proteins / chemistry
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • RNA, Small Nuclear / metabolism
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • INTS4 protein, human
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • RNA, Small Nuclear
  • Endoribonucleases
  • IntS9 protein, human
  • INTS11 protein, human