Progress in 7SK ribonucleoprotein structural biology

Authors

Momodou B. Camara, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Amr M. Sobeh, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Catherine D. Eichhorn, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2023

Citation

Camara MB, Sobeh AM and Eichhorn CD (2023), Progress in 7SK ribonucleoprotein structural biology. Front. Mol. Biosci. 10:1154622.

doi: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1154622

Comments

© 2023 Camara, Sobeh and Eichhorn. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY).

Abstract

The 7SK ribonucleoprotein (RNP) is a dynamic and multifunctional regulator of RNA Polymerase II (RNAPII) transcription in metazoa. Comprised of the noncoding 7SK RNA, core proteins, and numerous accessory proteins, the most wellknown 7SK RNP function is the sequestration and inactivation of the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb). More recently, 7SK RNP has been shown to regulate RNAPII transcription through P-TEFb-independent pathways. Due to its fundamental role in cellular function, dysregulation has been linked with human diseases including cancers, heart disease, developmental disorders, and viral infection. Significant advances in 7SK RNP structural biology have improved our understanding of 7SK RNP assembly and function. Here, we review progress in understanding the structural basis of 7SK RNA folding, biogenesis, and RNP assembly.