The Link of mRNA and rRNA Transcription by PUF60/FIR through TFIIH/P62 as a Novel Therapeutic Target for Cancer

The interaction between mRNA and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) transcription in cancer remains unclear. RNAP I and II possess a common N-terminal tail (NTT), RNA polymerase subunit RPB6, which interacts with P62 of transcription factor (TF) IIH, and is a common target for the link between mRNA and rRNA transcription. The mRNAs and rRNAs affected by FUBP1-interacting repressor (FIR) were assessed via RNA sequencing and qRT-PCR analysis. An FIR, a c-myc transcriptional repressor, and its splicing form FIR Delta exon2 were examined to interact with P62. Protein interaction was investigated via isothermal titration calorimetry measurements. FIR was found to contain a highly conserved region homologous to RPB6 that interacts with P62. FIR Delta exon2 competed with FIR for P62 binding and coactivated transcription of mRNAs and rRNAs. Low-molecular-weight chemical compounds that bind to FIR and FIR Delta exon2 were screened for cancer treatment. A low-molecular-weight chemical, BK697, which interacts with FIR Delta exon2, inhibited tumor cell growth with rRNA suppression. In this study, a novel coactivation pathway for cancer-related mRNA and rRNA transcription through TFIIH/P62 by FIR Delta exon2 was proposed. Direct evidence in X-ray crystallography is required in further studies to show the conformational difference between FIR and FIR Delta exon2 that affects the P62-RBP6 interaction.