A role for Yin Yang-1 (YY1) in the assembly of snRNA transcription complexes

The RNA polymerase (pol) II and III human small nuclear RNA (snRNA) genes have very similar promoters and recruit a number of common factors. In particular, both types of promoters utilize the small nuclear RNA activating protein complex (SNAPc) and the TATA box binding protein (TBP) for basal transcription, and are activated by Oct-1. We find that SNAPc purified from cell lines expressing tagged SNAPc subunits is associated with Yin Yang-1 (YY1), a factor implicated in both activation and repression of transcription. Recombinant YY1 accelerates the binding of SNAPc to the proximal sequence element, its target within snRNA promoters. Moreover, it enhances the formation of a complex on the pol III U6 snRNA promoter containing all the factors (SNAPc, TBP, TFIIB-related factor 2 (Brf2), and B double prime 1 (Bdp1)) that are sufficient to direct in vitro U6 transcription when complemented with purified pol III, as well as that of a subcomplex containing TBP, Brf2, and Bdp1. YY1 is found on both the RNA polymerase II U1 and the RNA polymerase III U6 promoters as determined by chromatin immunoprecipitations. Thus, YY1 represents a new factor that participates in transcription complexes formed on both pol II and III promoters.