The small hSpt4 subunit of the human transcription elongation factor DSIF is a Zn-finger protein with α/β type topology

The eukaryotic transcription elongation factor 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-d-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole (DRB) sensitivity inducing factor (DSIF), is involved in regulating the processivity of RNA polymerase II. DSIF plays also a role in transcriptional activation, and in concert with the negative elongation factor NELF causes promoter proximal pausing of RNA polymerase II. Furthermore, DSIF has also been implicated in regulating the transcription of the human immunodeficiency virus proviral DNA. Human DSIF is composed of the two subunits, hSpt4 (p14) and hSpt5 (p160), corresponding to the yeast homologs Spt4 and Spt5. Here we show the purification and characterization of the small subunit, hSpt4. We were able to purify the protein in a soluble form separately from the larger hSpt5 subunit. CD and NMR spectroscopy show that the purified protein hSpt4 exhibits an α/β topology with a well defined tertiary structure. Furthermore metal analysis by ICP-OES indicates that the protein contains a functional 4-Cys Zn-finger.