Direct activation of RNA polymerase III transcription by c-Myc

Nature. 2003 Jan 16;421(6920):290-4. doi: 10.1038/nature01327.

Abstract

The proto-oncogene product c-Myc has a direct role in both metazoan cell growth and division. RNA polymerase III (pol III) is involved in the generation of transfer RNA and 5S ribosomal RNA, and these molecules must be produced in bulk to meet the need for protein synthesis in growing cells. We demonstrate here that c-Myc binds to TFIIIB, a pol III-specific general transcription factor, and directly activates pol III transcription. Chromatin immunoprecipitation reveals that endogenous c-Myc is present at tRNA and 5S rRNA genes in cultured mammalian cells. These results suggest that activation of pol III may have a role in the ability of c-Myc to stimulate cell growth.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Division
  • Cell Line
  • Chromatin / genetics
  • Chromatin / metabolism
  • Cyclin D2
  • Cyclins / genetics
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA / metabolism
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Fibroblasts
  • Gene Deletion
  • Humans
  • Precipitin Tests
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / chemistry
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / metabolism*
  • RNA Polymerase II / metabolism
  • RNA Polymerase III / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 5S / genetics
  • RNA, Transfer / genetics
  • Rats
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Transcription Factor TFIIIB / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic*
  • Transcriptional Activation*

Substances

  • CCND2 protein, human
  • Ccnd2 protein, rat
  • Chromatin
  • Cyclin D2
  • Cyclins
  • MAS1 protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 5S
  • Transcription Factor TFIIIB
  • DNA
  • RNA, Transfer
  • RNA Polymerase II
  • RNA Polymerase III