Base J binding protein (JBP3) is a Component of a Novel Trypanosomatid PNUTS-PP1 Phosphatase Complex involved in RNA Pol II Transcription Termination

Base J is a modified DNA base that is enriched at RNA polymerase II termination sites and telomeres. We previously found that base J functions to prevent readthrough transcription within gene clusters in T. brucei. We now identify a complex in Leishmania and T. brucei composed of PNUTS, PP1, Wdr82 and a J-binding protein (JBP3). We show the RNAi ablation of PNUTS in T. brucei leads to readthrough transcription and expression of downstream genes. The role of PNUTS in regulating transcription termination was investigated using RNAi ablation in T. brucei cell lines. We used 6 RNA seq libraries to determine gene expression changes following the loss of PNUTS. As a control we used 4 RNA seq libraries to determine changes following the loss of TbVAa protein.