Gaelle Diribarne

Bio: Gaelle Diribarne is an academic researcher from École Normale Supérieure. The author has contributed to research in topics: P-TEFb & Transcription (biology). The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 4 publications receiving 151 citations. Previous affiliations of Gaelle Diribarne include French Institute of Health and Medical Research & Centre national de la recherche scientifique.

7SK RNA, a non-coding RNA regulating P-TEFb, a general transcription factor.

Abstract: Human 7SK RNA is an abundant 331 nt nuclear transcript generated by RNA polymerase III Binding of 7SK RNA to HEXIM1/2 turns these proteins into inhibitors of P-TEFb (Positive Transcriptional Elongation Factor b) P-TEFb is required for RNA polymerase II transcription elongation 7SK RNA is released from P-TEFb/HEXIM/7SK complexes upon an arrest in transcription and physiological stimulations such as cardiac hypertrophy, leading to P-TEFb activation The released 7SK RNA associates a subset of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNP) 7SK RNA has been evolutionary conserved in vertebrates and homologues are found in annelid, mollusc and insect genomes 7SK RNA folds into several hairpins that serve as specific platforms for binding proteins It is stabilized by mono-methylation of its 5'-triphosphate group and binding of a specific La-Related protein, LARP7 at its 3' end As the likely best characterized example, 7SK RNA is a paradigm for non-coding RNAs regulating transcription

Ubiquitination of HEXIM1 by HDM2.

Abstract: Hexamethylene bis-acetamide inducible protein 1 (HEXIM1) is an inhibitor of the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb), which controls RNA polymerase II transcription and human immunodeficiency virus Tat transactivation. In cells, more than half of P-TEFb is associated with HEXIM1 resulting in the inactivation of P-TEFb. Recently, we found that nucleophosmin (NPM), a key factor involved in p53 signaling pathway, interacts with HEXIM1 and activates P-TEFb-dependent transcription. Here we report that human double minute-2 protein (HDM2), a p53-specific E3 ubiquitin ligase, specifically ubiquitinates HEXIM1 through the lysine residues located within the basic region of HEXIM1. However, the HDM2-induced HEXIM1 ubiquitination does not lead to proteasome-mediated protein degradation. Fusion of ubiquitin to HEXIM1 demonstrates stronger inhibition on P-TEFb-dependent transcription. Our results demonstrate that HDM2 functions as a specific E3 ubiquitin ligase for HEXIM1, suggesting a possible r...

Ubiquitination of HEXIM1 by HDM2

Abstract: Hexamethylene bis-acetamide inducible protein 1 (HEXIM1) is an inhibitor of the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb), which controls RNA polymerase II transcription and human immunodeficiency virus Tat transactivation. In cells, more than half of P-TEFb is associated with HEXIM1 resulting in the inactivation of P-TEFb. Recently, we found that nucleophosmin (NPM), a key factor involved in p53 signaling pathway, interacts with HEXIM1 and activates P-TEFb-dependent transcription. Here we report that human double minute-2 protein (HDM2), a p53-specific E3 ubiquitin ligase, specifically ubiquitinates HEXIM1 through the lysine residues located within the basic region of HEXIM1. However, the HDM2-induced HEXIM1 ubiquitination does not lead to proteasome-mediated protein degradation. Fusion of ubiquitin to HEXIM1 demonstrates stronger inhibition on P-TEFb-dependent transcription. Our results demonstrate that HDM2 functions as a specific E3 ubiquitin ligase for HEXIM1, suggesting a possible role for HEXIM1 ubiquitination in the regulation of P-TEFb activity.

A Cyclin T1 point mutation that abolishes positive transcription elongation factor (P-TEFb) binding to Hexim1 and HIV tat

Abstract: The positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) plays an essential role in activating HIV genome transcription. It is recruited to the HIV LTR promoter through an interaction between the Tat viral protein and its Cyclin T1 subunit. P-TEFb activity is inhibited by direct binding of its subunit Cyclin T (1 or 2) with Hexim (1 or 2), a cellular protein, bound to the 7SK small nuclear RNA. Hexim1 competes with Tat for P-TEFb binding. Mutations that impair human Cyclin T1/Hexim1 interaction were searched using systematic mutagenesis of these proteins coupled with a yeast two-hybrid screen for loss of protein interaction. Evolutionary conserved Hexim1 residues belonging to an unstructured peptide located N-terminal of the dimerization domain, were found to be critical for P-TEFb binding. Random mutagenesis of the N-terminal region of Cyclin T1 provided identification of single amino-acid mutations that impair Hexim1 binding in human cells. Furthermore, conservation of critical residues supported the existence of a functional Hexim1 homologue in nematodes. Single Cyclin T1 amino-acid mutations that impair Hexim1 binding are located on a groove between the two cyclin folds and define a surface overlapping the HIV-1 Tat protein binding surface. One residue, Y175, in the centre of this groove was identified as essential for both Hexim1 and Tat binding to P-TEFb as well as for HIV transcription.

RNA polymerase II elongation control

Abstract: Regulation of the elongation phase of transcription by RNA polymerase II (Pol II) is utilized extensively to generate the pattern of mRNAs needed to specify cell types and to respond to environmental changes. After Pol II initiates, negative elongation factors cause it to pause in a promoter proximal position. These polymerases are poised to respond to the positive transcription elongation factor P-TEFb, and then enter productive elongation only under the appropriate set of signals to generate full-length properly processed mRNAs. Recent global analyses of Pol II and elongation factors, mechanisms that regulate P-TEFb involving the 7SK small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP), factors that control both the negative and positive elongation properties of Pol II, and the mRNA processing events that are coupled with elongation are discussed.

hnRNP A1: the Swiss army knife of gene expression.

Abstract: Eukaryotic cells express a large variety of RNA binding proteins (RBPs), with diverse affinities and specificities towards target RNAs. These proteins play a crucial role in almost every aspect of RNA biogenesis, expression and function. The heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) are a complex and diverse family of RNA binding proteins. hnRNPs display multiple functions in the processing of heterogeneous nuclear RNAs into mature messenger RNAs. hnRNP A1 is one of the most abundant and ubiquitously expressed members of this protein family. hnRNP A1 plays multiple roles in gene expression by regulating major steps in the processing of nascent RNA transcripts. The transcription, splicing, stability, export through nuclear pores and translation of cellular and viral transcripts are all mechanisms modulated by this protein. The diverse functions played by hnRNP A1 are not limited to mRNA biogenesis, but extend to the processing of microRNAs, telomere maintenance and the regulation of transcription factor activity. Genomic approaches have recently uncovered the extent of hnRNP A1 roles in the development and differentiation of living organisms. The aim of this review is to highlight recent developments in the study of this protein and to describe its functions in cellular and viral gene expression and its role in human pathologies.

BET inhibitor OTX015 targets BRD2 and BRD4 and decreases c-MYC in acute leukemia cells

Abstract: The bromodomain (BRD) and extraterminal (BET) proteins including BRD2, BRD3 and BRD4 have been identified as key targets for leukemia maintenance. A novel oral inhibitor of BRD2/3/4, the thienotriazolodiazepine compound OTX015, suitable for human use, is available. Here we report its biological effects in AML and ALL cell lines and leukemic samples. Exposure to OTX015 lead to cell growth inhibition, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis at submicromolar concentrations in acute leukemia cell lines and patient-derived leukemic cells, as described with the canonical JQ1 BET inhibitor. Treatment with JQ1 and OTX15 induces similar gene expression profiles in sensitive cell lines, including a c-MYC decrease and an HEXIM1 increase. OTX015 exposure also induced a strong decrease of BRD2, BRD4 and c-MYC and increase of HEXIM1 proteins, while BRD3 expression was unchanged. c-MYC, BRD2, BRD3, BRD4 and HEXIM1 mRNA levels did not correlate however with viability following exposure to OTX015. Sequential combinations of OTX015 with other epigenetic modifying drugs, panobinostat and azacitidine have a synergic effect on growth of the KASUMI cell line. Our results indicate that OTX015 and JQ1 have similar biological effects in leukemic cells, supporting OTX015 evaluation in a Phase Ib trial in relapsed/refractory leukemia patients.