An atypical RNA polymerase involved in RNA silencing shares small subunits with RNA polymerase II

Nat Struct Mol Biol. 2009 Jan;16(1):91-3. doi: 10.1038/nsmb.1539. Epub 2008 Dec 14.

Abstract

Genetic evidence indicates that plant-specific homologs of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (Pol) II large subunits form Pol IV and Pol V complexes involved in small interfering RNA production and RNA-directed DNA methylation. Here we describe evidence that Pol V contains subunits shared with Pol II, but that RNA polymerase II subunit (RPB)-4 is missing from Pol V and that RPB5 is present as a Pol V-specific isomer, RPB5b. Pol V also has other proteins that are not present in Pol II, consistent with a role of this complex as an effector of silencing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA / metabolism
  • DNA Polymerase beta / chemistry
  • DNA Polymerase beta / genetics
  • DNA Polymerase beta / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / chemistry
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / metabolism
  • Phenotype
  • Protein Subunits / chemistry
  • Protein Subunits / metabolism
  • RNA Interference*
  • RNA Polymerase II / chemistry*
  • RNA Polymerase II / metabolism*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Protein Subunits
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • DNA
  • RNA Polymerase II
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases
  • DNA Polymerase beta