Architectural Mediator subunits are differentially essential for global transcription in yeast (ChIP-seq)

Mediator is a modular complex required for RNA polymerase II transcription in vivo. We show that Mediator destabilization via depletion of the main complex scaffold Med14 or the head module scaffold Med17 is lethal and results in global transcriptional downregulation, though Med17 destruction has a markedly greater negative effect. Depletion of Med14 or Med17 impairs pre-initiation complex (PIC) formation and/or stability to similar degrees, suggesting that the differential transcriptional effects of head module destabilization and overall dissociation of the complex are not due to different extents of defective PIC formation. Co-depletion of Med14 and Med17 reduced transcription and TFIIB promoter occupancy to similar degrees as Med17 loss alone, suggesting that the independent head module can weakly stimulate transcription in vivo, though not at a level that maintains viability. Collectively, our data suggest that the head is the major functional module of Mediator with respect to PIC function in vivo. Overall design: ChIP-seq of PIC components with and without degradation of Mediator scaffold subunits