CDC5, a DNA binding protein, positively regulates posttranscriptional processing and/or transcription of primary microRNA transcripts

Authors

Shuxin Zhang, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Meng Xie, University of Nebraska–LincolnFollow
Guodong Ren, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Bin Yu, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2013

Citation

17588–17593 PNAS October 22, 2013 vol. 110 | no. 43

Comments

Copyright PNAS

Abstract

CDC5 is a MYB-related protein that exists in plants, animals, and fungi. In Arabidopsis, CDC5 regulates both growth and immunity through unknown mechanisms. Here, we show that CDC5 from Arabidopsis positively regulates the accumulation of microRNAs (miRNAs), which control many biological processes including development and adaptations to environments in plants. CDC5 interacts with both the promoters of genes encoding miRNAs (MIR) and the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II. As a consequence, lack of CDC5 reduces the occupancy of polymerase II at MIR promoters, as well as MIR promoter activities. In addition, CDC5 is associated with the DICER–LIKE1 complex, which generates miRNAs from their primary transcripts and is required for efficient miRNA production. These results suggest that CDC5 may have dual roles in miRNA biogenesis: functioning as a positive transcription factor of MIR and/or acting as a component of the DICER–LIKE1 complex to enhance primary miRNA processing.