8.1 Introduction

In contrast, in eukaryotic cells, the DNA is contained inside the cell’s nucleus and there it is transcribed into RNA. The newly synthesized RNA is then transported out of the nucleus into the cytoplasm, where ribosomes translate the RNA into protein. The processes of transcription and translation are thus physically separated by the nuclear membrane. Thus regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes can occur at multiple stages such as:

• When the DNA is uncoiled and loosened from nucleosomes to bind transcription factors (epigenetic level)
• When the RNA is transcribed (transcriptional level)
• When the RNA is processed and exported to the cytoplasm after it is transcribed (post-transcriptional level)
• When the RNA is translated into protein (translational level), or
• After the protein has been made (post-translational level).

Figure 8. 1 Prokaryotic transcription and translation occur simultaneously in the cytoplasm, and regulation occurs at the transcriptional level. Eukaryotic gene expression is regulated during transcription and RNA processing, which takes place in the nucleus, and during protein translation, which takes place in the cytoplasm. Further regulation may occur through post-translational modifications of proteins.

The differences in the regulation of gene expression between prokaryotes and eukaryotes are summarized in the table below.

In this chapter we will learn about the transcriptional regulation of gene expression and in future chapters we will learn about how processing of the RNA itself can also be targeted.

This chapter consists of descriptions of key concepts and terms introduced in the lecture videos.

Research methodology and specific biomedical or relevant examples are highlighted in detail within the lecture videos.

8.2 Eukaryotic Cells Have Three Types of RNA Polymerase

RNA Polymerase I (Pol I) is responsible for the synthesis of the majority of rRNA transcripts, whereas RNA Polymerase III (Pol III) produces short, structured RNAs such as tRNAs and 5S rRNA. RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) produces all mRNAs and most regulatory and untranslated RNAs.

The chemistry of RNA polymerization is identical in all types of organisms, and the three eukaryotic RNA polymerases are structurally related to E. coli RNA Polymerase; consist of homologs of 5 prokaryotic core subunits that form the same characteristic crab-claw shape in addition to other subunits.

In addition to homologs of the core subunits, there are many more polypeptides that make up the eukaryotic RNA polymerases.

One of the subunits of RNA Polymerase II possesses a unique CTD (carboxy-terminal domain) consisting of multiple repeats of a special heptameric  (Hepta- 7) amino acid sequence  Tyr-Ser-Pro-Thr-Ser-Pro-Ser that repeats itself.

In mammals, this domain consists of 52 repeats of the amino acid sequences. Serines in each repeat unit can be modified by the addition of a phosphate group, causing a substantial change in the properties of the polymerase.

The phosphorylation of the CTD of RNA polymerase plays an important role in transcription and mRNA processing.

8.3 Overview of Gene Expression (From DNA to Protein)

We focus on initiation by RNA pol II, the polymerase that produces all mRNAs and most regulatory and untranslated RNAs. Below  (Figure 8.1) is a diagram of elements of the eukaryotic gene- that include all the sequences necessary to regulate transcription in addition to the protein-coding sections.

The structure of eukaryotic genes includes features not found in prokaryotes (Figure 8.2).

Eukaryotic genes typically have more regulatory elements to control gene expression compared to prokaryotes.

An additional layer of regulation occurs for protein-coding genes including processing of the mRNA to prepare it for translation to protein.

Only the region between the start and stop codons encodes the final protein product. The flanking untranslated regions (UTRs) contain further regulatory sequences. The 3′ UTR contains a terminator sequence, which marks the endpoint for transcription and releases the RNA polymerase, and also contains sequences that regulate mRNA stability.

The 5’ UTR  contained sequences that serve as landing pads for translational machinery (ribosome and other factors). In the case of genes for non–coding RNAs, the RNA is not translated but instead folds to be directly functional.

The most striking difference is the extent to which eukaryotic mRNA (pre-mRNA) is modified to produce mature mRNA ready for translation into protein.

These include:

– addition of a 5′ CAP at 5′ end of mRNA produced.

– splicing, the removal of the intron regions, and joining together of exons (the protein-coding portions)

– addition of a Poly A tail (polyadenylation) that is an inherent part of the termination mechanism.

Importantly most processing occurs while mRNA is being synthesized (co-transcriptional) and some soon after transcription (post-transcriptional). For example, the cap is added as soon as transcription has been initiated, splicing and editing begin while the transcript is still being made.

However to deal with all of these events together would be confusing, with too many different things being described at once.

We will therefore postpone mRNA processing until after we have talked about the Initiation of transcription. We will consider splicing completely separately after we discuss capping, elongation, and polyadenylation.

8.4 Details of Eukaryotic Transcription Initiation

As depicted in Figure 8.1 transcription starts downstream of the promoter and creates a transcript that begins with a 5’ untranslated region (5’UTR) followed by the coding region which may include multiple introns and ending in a 3’ untranslated region or 3‘UTR.

RNA Pol II gene transcription in eukaryotes is tightly regulated, and controlled by a highly complex multicomponent machinery comprised of more than a hundred proteins in humans.

8.4.1 Eukaryotic Promoters

Eukaryotic promoters are more complex than prokaryotic promoters. They include all the sequences that are necessary for both initiation of transcription of a gene as well as regulatory sequences.

The promoter is located at the 5′ end of the gene and can be divided into the

CORE PROMOTER– which represents a minimal set of sequences necessary for assembly of the transcription machinery and transcription initiation. This allows for BASAL LEVELS of TRANSCRIPTION and defines exactly where transcription will begin. Thus ALL genes have core promoter sequences!

The core promoter is a region encompassing approximately 50 base pairs (bp) upstream and approximately 50 bp downstream of the TSS.  It includes or encompasses the TSS! 

First, it is important to note that not all eukaryotic genes look alike! There is no exact set sequence or a minimum number of core promoter sequences. Most genes have some combinations of elements, and scientists are still identifying core promoter consensus sequences.

Below are some “typical core promoter consensus ” sequences.

A TATA box (consensus 5′-TATAAA-3′,) –about 25-35 base pairs upstream of the start of transcription (+1).

Note this is not the same as the sequence found in prokaryotes and cannot be used interchangeably. However, the sequence is similarly A-T-rich to facilitate the opening of DNA and the formation of a transcription bubble.

The initiator (Inr) sequence  located around nucleotide +1 (the TSS)

DPE (downstream promoter element): is a common component of RNA polymerase II promoters that do not contain a TATA box (TATA-less promoters).​

PROXIMAL PROMOTER: As mentioned above the TATA box is within the core promoter, usually within 25–30 bases of the TSS. Within 100–150 base pairs upstream from the transcription start site and next to the core promoter sequences are additional regulatory sequences, known as promoter-proximal elements. These are recognized by proteins called Transcriptional Activators.

While the assembly of the initiation complex can occur on core promoter sequences, most genes require Transcriptional Activators that bind to Proximal Promoter elements and control the frequency with which RNA polymerase II initiates transcription.

An alternative term used for these sequences is “upstream promoter elements” or “upstream regulatory elements”.

DISTAL ELEMENTS- ENHANCERS/SILENCER– distinguished from the proximal promoter elements these are sequence elements that are located many thousands of base pairs away.

Enhancers contain multiple binding sites for sequence-specific transcriptional activators and regulate the rate of transcription initiation at different times and in different cells. 

Enhancer and Silencer sequences dictate when (developmental stage) and where (what tissue) a gene gets expressed.

The role of the regulatory sequences within the proximal promoter and distal region will be described in more detail in paragraphs ahead.

8.4.2 Role of General Transcription Factors

A key difference between the initiation of transcription in E. coli and eukaryotes is that eukaryotic polymerases do not directly recognize their core promoter sequences.

The core promoter sequences described above are recognized by a set of proteins called general (or basal) transcription factors. These proteins are not part of the RNA polymerase II complex.

These general transcription factors are found in all eukaryotes, suggesting that the fundamentals of transcription are conserved in higher organisms.

Note:

The bulk of the work identifying general transcription factors as well as the order of assembly was done using genes with promoters that have the TATA box and deduced by in vitro experiments.

Establishing the Pre-Initiation Complex

For transcription to occur RNA polymerase II needs to be recruited to the appropriate location- around the transcription start site,  on the core promoter. The first steps in eukaryotic transcription involve the regulated assembly of the general transcription factors (GTFS). 

These proteins serve as a platform for RNA polymerase II recruitment.

The GTFs include the factors TFIIA, TFIIB, TFIID, TFIIE, TFIIF, TFIIH, and RNA polymerase (RNA pol II).

We will only focus on the functions of 2 GTFs:

PIC first adopts an inactive state, the “closed” complex, which is incompetent to initiate transcription. This complex is ‘poised for transcription’.

Abortive Initiation, Promoter Clearance, and Elongation

TFII-H plays a key role in the transition from ‘closed to open complex’.

This protein has 2 activities:

1) ATP-dependent helicase type activity- that opens up about 11 to 15 base pairs around the transcription start site leading to forming the transcriptional bubble.

Abortive transcription- once the RNA polymerase binds, it can begin to assemble a short stretch of RNA. This must be followed by promoter clearance, to move down the template and elongate the transcript.

2) TF II H- Kinase activity: adds phosphates onto the C-terminal domain (CTD) of the RNA polymerase II. ( specifically, certain amino acids within the CTD (C-terminal domain) of RNA polymerase II get phosphorylated)

[ Terminology alert: Kinases are the name given to a class of enzymes that catalyze the transfer of a phosphate group from ATP to proteins. Commonly modified amino acids include Serines, Threonines, Tyrosines]

This phosphorylation appears to be the signal that releases the RNA polymerase from the basal transcription complex and allows it to move forward on the template, building the new RNA as it goes

After the departure of the polymerase, at least some of the GTFs detach from the core promoter,

8.4.3 Other Regulatory Sequences

Fundamentally, a key difference with bacterial transcription is that the pre-initiation complexes do not assemble efficiently and the basal rate of transcription initiation is therefore very low, regardless of how ‘strong’ the promoter is.

As was discussed in the outlining the structure of eukaryotic promoter, in most eukaryotic genes to achieve effective initiation, the formation of the complex must be activated by additional proteins.

Any protein that stimulates transcription initiation is called a Transcriptional Activator. These proteins bind either the Promoter Proximal Elements or Enhancer/Silencer sequences. This binding is sequence-specific.

Promoter Proximal Elements

There are several different consensus sequences to which different regulatory transcription factors can bind.

In different promoters, transcription factor binding sites are mixed and matched in different combinations. Each promoter is regulated by a unique combination of transcription factors.

The binding of transcription factors to the consensus sequences in the regulatory promoter affects the assembly or stability of the basal transcription apparatus at the core promoter.

Example: Red blood cell development

An example of the former is the upstream element AACCAAT and its associated transcription factor, CP1. Another transcription factor, Sp1, is similarly common and binds to a consensus sequence of ACGCCC.

Both are used in the control of the beta-globin gene, along with more specific transcription factors, such as GATA-1, which binds a consensus AAGTATCACT and is primarily produced in blood cells.

CP1 is found in many types of cells. GATA-1 is present in only a few types of cells including red blood cells; therefore is thought to contribute to the cell-type specificity of β-globin gene expression

This illustrates another option found in eukaryotic control that is not found in prokaryotes: tissue-specific gene expression.

Response Elements

In addition, many genes have common regulatory elements called ‘RESPONSE ELEMENTs’. These response elements are binding sites for Transcriptional Activators and enable transcription initiation to respond to general signals from outside of the cell:

Examples:

• the cyclic AMP response module CRE (consensus 5 -WCGTCA-3 ), recognized by the CREB activator
• heat-shock module (HSE) (consensus 5 -CTNGAATNTTCTAGA-3 ), recognized by HSP70 and other
  activator
• steroid- hormone response element [Glucocorticoid Response Element, Estrogen Receptor Element]

Enhancers and Silencers

Enhancers are regulatory elements that stimulate the transcription of distant genes. Silencers inhibit transcription.

Both regulate transcription over long distances in a position- and orientation-independent manner.

Enhancers are transcription activator binding sites grouped in units. Multiple enhancers enable a gene to respond differently to different combinations of activators.

This arrangement gives cells, in a developing organism, exquisitely fine control over their genes in different tissues or at different times!

The ‘looping of DNA’ between the enhancer sites and the core promoter region helps proteins bound to the enhancer to interact with the transcriptional apparatus.

8.4.4 Mediator Complex

Experimental studies of transcription in vitro showed that in addition to the GTFs, another multisubunit complex mediate’s communication between activating TFs (at enhancer and upstream activator sequences) and the GTFs and RNA pol II, hence the name “Mediator” for this complex. (Ref)

According to current gene activation models, the Mediator complex forms a physical bridge between proteins bound to distant regulatory regions and promoters, and transcription machinery at the core promoter.

The mediator is a huge complex of 25 to 30 subunits with a mass of more than 1-MDa.

A picture of transcription initiation that includes all the elements is shown in Figure 8.4 below

8.5 How Transcription factors Work

Experiments using recombinant proteins showed that transcriptional activators are modular containing 2 domains.

[Recall the function of a protein domain from Chapter 1]

DNA binding domain: which contacts the regulatory sequences

The DNA binding domains fall into one of four representative families that are distinct structurally.

Activation domain: responsible for ‘activation’ or recruitment of transcriptional machinery.

Transcription factors often work as dimers.

In general, most regulatory transcription factors do not bind directly to the RNA polymerase

Ways in which Transcriptional Activators influence transcription include

1.  Influence the PIC at the promoter directly via TF-II D or indirectly via the mediator
2.  Influence the chromatin structure!

The  main way in which this can be achieved as was discussed in Chapter 4 is

1. Covalent modification of histones
2. ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling.

Both of these activities are present in many transcription factors!

8.5 Bringing it all together

Overall the picture of transcription initiation then is less of an ON or OFF but that of fine-tuning.

Transcription initiation in vivo requires the presence of transcriptional activator proteins (coded by gene-specific transcription factors). These proteins bind to specific short sequences in DNA (enhancers).

A typical eucaryotic gene has many activator proteins, which together determine its rate and pattern of transcription. Sometimes acting from a distance of several thousand nucleotide pairs, these gene regulatory proteins help RNA polymerase, the general factors, and the mediator all assemble at the promoter.

In addition, activators attract ATP-dependent chromatin-remodeling complexes and histone acetylases.

Transcription of individual genes can be adjusted in amount based on the tissue type, developmental stage, and biochemical condition.

Factors like the number of sequences, types of enhancers, presence or absence of transcriptional factors, co-activators, or repressors all dictate the outcome of transcription initiation of a single gene!

8.6 Relevant Biological Concepts

The mixing and match of these regulatory sequences is the principle behind 2 important features of eukaryotic transcriptional regulation

Coordinated Gene Regulation and Combinatorial Control

The presence of the same response element in different genes allows a single stimulus to activate multiple genes by binding to a single transcriptional regulator.

This phenomenon is also behind the succession of gene expression patterns during development, which results in establishing cell fate.

Similarly, the Transcription factors and other proteins that bind to regulatory sites on DNA provide RNA polymerase, access to specific genes. Therefore a given regulatory protein can have different effects, depending on what other proteins are present in the same cell. This phenomenon is combinatorial control.

An illustrative example is shown below. In the figure, the transcription factors hanging downward are representative of inhibitory TFs, while those riding upright on the DNA are considered enhancers. Thus, the RNA polymerase in (A) has a lower probability of transcribing this gene, while the RNAP in (B) is more likely to, perhaps because the TF nearest the promoter interacts with the RNAP to stabilize its interactions with TFIID.

In this way, the same gene may be expressed in very different amounts and at different times depending on the transcription factors expressed in a particular cell type.

8.7 Transcription Elongation and Termination- mRNA Processing

After initiation, the mechanics of transcription elongation are similar to that in Prokaryotes, however, a big difference is the modification of the mRNA as it emerges from the RNA pol II enzyme.

The first modification occurs at the 5′ end

5’ end-capping.

Once the 5’ end of a nascent RNA extends free of the RNAP II approximately 20-30 nt, it is ready to be capped by a 7-methylguanosine structure.

It consists of a guanine nucleotide connected to mRNA via an unusual 5′ to 5′ triphosphate linkage (Figure below). This guanosine is methylated on the 7 position directly after capping in vivo by a methyltransferase.

It is referred to as a 7-methylguanylate cap, abbreviated m⁷G.

The process involves three steps.

First, RNA triphosphatase removes the 5’-terminal triphosphate group.

Second, Guanylation by GTP is catalyzed by a capping enzyme, forming an unusual 5’-5’ “backward” bond between the new guanine and the first nucleotide of the RNA transcript.

Finally, guanine-7-methyltransferase methylates the newly attached guanine.

This 5’ “cap” has many functions.

1. serves as a recognition site for the transport of the completed mRNA out of the nucleus and into the cytoplasm
2. Prevention of degradation by exonucleases
3. Promotion of translation (see ribosome and translation)

3’ end Polyadenylation and termination

The 3′ end of the gene (within the 3’UTR) is the signature sequence for signaling the end of transcription and polyadenylation.

It consists of a Poly A site flanked by a polyadenylation signal (AATAAA) and a downstream element that is GT-rich.

As the transcriptional machinery marches along the gene it will eventually transcribe this region generating within the transcribed mRNA the consensus AAUAAA sequence and the downstream element which will be a GU-rich sequence.

A protein complex called CPSF  (the cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor, CPSF)  recognizes the poly-A signal. It has endo-nuclease activity and cuts the pre-mRNA between the AAUAAA consensus sequence and the GU-rich sequence, leaving the AAUAAA sequence on the pre-mRNA and a free 3′ OH.

Note: This releases the mRNA from the transcribing machinery!

An enzyme called poly-A polymerase then adds a string of approximately 200 Adenine residues, called the poly-A tail.

NOTE: The poly-A tail is NOT a part of coded information of the gene but is added post-transcriptionally!

Evidence suggests that the Poly A tail influences the efficiency of translation. The poly-A tail also affects the stability of transcripts in the cytoplasm.

Splicing

The third and most complicated modification to newly-transcribed eukaryotic RNA is splicing.  Splicing is the process by which the non-coding regions, known as introns, are removed, and the coding regions, known as exons, are connected.

We will be discussing the mechanism of splicing separately, although it is useful to introduce it here because splicing is also occurring during transcription!

Role of CTD of RNA Polymerase in mRNA processing

That transcription and mRNA processing are coupled is highlighted by the fact that proteins utilized for capping, splicing, and polyadenylations are recruited to the CTD of RNA pol II!

Recall that the CTD consists of multiple repeats of a special heptameric  (Hepta- 7) amino acid sequence  Tyr-Ser-Pro-Thr-Ser-Pro-Ser. In particular, the Serines may be phosphorylated in the various repeats. This occurs sequentially and creates a signature (like a code) for many of the processing proteins to bind to the tail!

The RNA Pol-II enzyme physically carries the processing enzymes with it- and they get deployed as needed!

References and Attributions

This chapter contains material taken from the following CC-licensed content. Changes include rewording, removing paragraphs and replacing with original material, and combining material from the sources.

1. Bergtrom, Gerald, “Cell and Molecular Biology 4e: What We Know and How We Found Out” (2020). Cell and Molecular Biology 4e: What We Know and How We Found Out – All Versions. 13.
https://dc.uwm.edu/biosci_facbooks_bergtrom/13

2. Works contributed to LibreTexts by Kevin Ahern and Indira Rajagopal. LibreTexts content is licensed by CC BY-NC-SA 3.0. The entire textbook is available for free from the authors at http://biochem.science.oregonstate.edu/content/biochemistry-free-and-easy

3. Flatt, P.M. (2019) Biochemistry – Defining Life at the Molecular Level.  Published by Western Oregon University, Monmouth, OR (CC BY-NC-SA).  Available at: https://wou.edu/chemistry/courses/online-chemistry-textbooks/ch450-and-ch451-biochemistry-defining-life-at-the-molecular-level/?preview_id=4919&preview_nonce=cca8f0ce36&preview=true

4. “Eukaryotic Transcriptional Regulation” by E. V. Wong, LibreTexts is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA

Other References

Chasman DI, Flaherty KM, Sharp PA, Kornberg RD. Crystal structure of yeast TATA-binding protein and model for interaction with DNA. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA. (1993);90:8174–8178. [PMC free article]