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. Overall design: 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.