Interactome of Toxoplasma gondii Pre-mRNA 3’ Processing Complexes

A proper 3’end processing of mRNAs is regarded as one of the regulatory cornerstones of gene expression. In a parasite that must answer to the high regulatory requirements of its multi-host life style, the need is grand for adopting additional means to partition the distinct transcriptional signatures of the closely and tandemly-arranged stage specific genes. In this study, we report on our findings in T. gondii of an m6A-dependent 3’end polyadenylation serving as a transcriptional barrier at these loci. We identify the core polyadenylation complex within T. gondii and establish CPSF4 as a reader for m6A-modified mRNAs, via a YTH domain within its C-terminus, a feature which is shared with plants.