A Novel Role of the Actin-nucleating Arp2/3 Complex in the Regulation of RNA Polymerase II-dependent Transcription
Year: 2007
Type: article
Abstract: It has been well documented that actin is present in the nucleus and involved in numerous nuclear functions including regulation of transcription. The actin-nucleating Arp2/3 complex is an essential, evolutionarily conserved seven-subunit protein complex that promotes actin cytoskeleton assembly in the cytoplasm upon stimulation by WASP family proteins. Our recent study indicates that the nuclear localized neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP) can induce de novo actin polymerization in the nucleus, and this function is important for the role of N-WASP in the regulation of RNA polymerase II-dependent transcription. Here, we have presented evidence to show that the Arp2/3 complex is also localized in the nucleus and plays an essential role in mediating nuclear actin polymerization induced by N-WASP. We have also demonstrated that the Arp2/3 complex physically associates with RNA polymerase II and is involved in the RNA polymerase II-dependent transcriptional regulation both in vivo and in vitro. Together, these data provide strong support for the hypothesis that N-WASP and the Arp2/3 complex regulate transcription, at least in part, through the regulation of nuclear actin polymerization in a manner similar to their function in the cytoplasm.
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry
Authors: Youngdong Yoo, Xiaoyang Wu, Jun-Lin Guan
Institution: Cornell University
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,430
OpenAlex ID: W2052178337