The two Saccharomyces cerevisiae SUA7 (TFIIB) transcripts differ at the 3′-end and respond differently to stress

Despite much information as to the structure and function of the general transcription factors, little is known about the regulation of their expression. Transcription of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae SUA7 (TFIIB) gene results in the formation of two discrete transcripts. It was originally reported that the two transcripts were derived from two promoters separated by ~80 bp. We have found that the two transcripts are instead derived from a common promoter and differ at the 3′-end by ~115 bp. The longer of the two transcripts has an unusually long 3′-untranslated region. We have analyzed the levels of these transcripts under different cell growth conditions and find that the relative amounts of the two transcripts vary. Approximately equal amounts of each transcript are observed during exponential growth, but stresses and growth limiting conditions lead to a decrease in the relative amount of the larger transcript. These results suggest that the expression of the SUA7 gene may be controlled by regulation of 3′-end formation or mRNA stability. One of the general transcription factors, then, may be subject to regulation by a general response of the mRNA processing machinery.