TCEA1 Human
Description
TCEA1 Human: Gene and Protein Overview
TCEA1 (Transcription Elongation Factor A1) is a nuclear protein encoded by the TCEA1 gene located on human chromosome 8 (8p22-p21.3) . It belongs to the TFIIS family of transcription elongation factors and plays a critical role in RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) activity.
TCEA1 facilitates RNAP II transcription elongation by resolving backtracked polymerase complexes through RNA cleavage, enabling resumption of transcription . It also participates in transcription-coupled DNA repair and preinitiation complex formation .
Key Mechanisms
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Resolving Transcriptional Blocks:
TCEA1 induces RNA cleavage at the RNAP II active site, releasing blocked elongation complexes . This is critical for overcoming template-encoded arrest sites, such as repetitive DNA sequences or DNA damage . -
Transcription-Coupled Repair (TCR):
TCEA1 is co-expressed with repair pathways (e.g., nucleotide excision repair) during transcriptional bursting in spermatogenesis, suggesting a role in reducing mutations in actively transcribed genes . -
Regulation of Cell Fate:
Protein Interactions and Complexes
TCEA1 interacts with RNAP II subunits and transcriptional regulators:
Cellular Effects of TCEA1 Deficiency
Disease Relevance
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Cancer: TCEA1 dysregulation may contribute to leukemic transformation due to impaired myeloid differentiation .
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Neurological Disorders: Transcription errors in neurons (e.g., Alzheimer’s) may involve TCEA1-mediated repair mechanisms .
Antibody-Based Detection
TCEA1-specific antibodies are widely used for:
Key Features:
References
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TCEA1 Gene Overview: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TCEA1
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TCEA1 Antibody Specifications: https://www.ptglab.com/products/SII-TFIIS,TCEA1-Antibody-17825-1-AP.htm
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Protein Interaction Network: https://string-db.org/network/9606.ENSP00000428426
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Senescence in TCEA1-KO MEFs: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-48443-6
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TCEA1 in Spermatogenesis: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.03.10.434830v1.full-text
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Myeloid Differentiation Role: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6816334/
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Transcription Error Rates: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2210038120
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NCBI Gene Entry: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/6917
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Antibody Reactivity: https://www.antibodies-online.com/tc/tcea1-59333/tcea1-antibodies-26705/
Product Specs
Q&A
The transcription elongation factor A1 (TCEA1) is a critical regulator of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) activity, with roles in transcription elongation, cellular differentiation, and disease pathogenesis. Below are structured FAQs for researchers, informed by experimental and computational studies, to address key questions in TCEA1-focused research.
What is the molecular function of TCEA1 in transcription elongation?
TCEA1 resolves transcriptionally stalled RNAPII complexes by inducing endonucleolytic cleavage of nascent transcripts, enabling elongation to resume . This activity is conserved across eukaryotes and is critical for balancing transcriptional fidelity and efficiency.
Key methodology: In vitro transcription assays using purified RNAPII and TCEA1 proteins, combined with cryo-EM to visualize RNAPII-TCEA1 interactions .
Which diseases are associated with TCEA1 dysregulation?
TCEA1 is implicated in:
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Salivary gland carcinomas: Overexpression in adenoid cystic and mucoepidermoid carcinomas .
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Myeloid malignancies: Silencing enhances proliferation and blocks differentiation in myeloid cells .
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Skin squamous cell carcinoma: Somatic mutations correlate with metastatic potential .
Experimental validation: shRNA knockdown in 32Dcl3 myeloid cells showed increased proliferation (2.5-fold) and reduced apoptosis (40% decrease) .
What are standard techniques to detect TCEA1 in cellular models?
How does TCEA1 depletion affect myeloid differentiation, and how can this be experimentally modeled?
Mechanism: TCEA1 silencing in 32Dcl3 cells blocks granulocytic differentiation by dysregulating G-CSF signaling, increasing immature myeloid cells (70% vs. 25% in controls) .
Experimental workflow:
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shRNA library screening (1,000 genes) to identify regulators of colony-forming potential .
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Secondary colony assays to validate proliferative effects.
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Flow cytometry for cell cycle (PI staining) and differentiation markers (CD11b/CD15).
Data contradiction: While TCEA1 loss promotes myeloid hyperplasia, its knockout in fetal liver cells causes anemia, suggesting tissue-specific roles .
How do TCEA1-deficient cells manage transcription stress at repetitive genomic regions?
In Tcea1−/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs):
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Telomeric R-loops accumulate, leading to cytosolic DNA leakage and inflammatory responses .
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RNA-seq profiles show 2,811 differentially expressed genes (FDR ≤ 0.01), including downregulated DNA repair pathways .
Methodological insight: Use Tcea1 fl/fl mice with Cre recombinase for conditional knockout studies, followed by single-molecule RNA FISH to visualize R-loops .
What computational tools are optimal for analyzing TCEA1-related ChIP-seq data?
Workflow example:
Product Science Overview
Transcription Elongation Factor A (SII)-1, also known as TCEA1, is a crucial protein involved in the transcription process of eukaryotic cells. It plays a significant role in the elongation phase of transcription by RNA polymerase II, ensuring the proper synthesis of RNA from DNA templates. The recombinant form of this protein, produced through genetic engineering techniques, has been extensively studied to understand its structure, function, and potential applications in research and medicine.
TCEA1 is a member of the TFIIS family of transcription elongation factors. It is composed of approximately 280 amino acids and is characterized by its ability to stimulate RNA polymerase II during the elongation phase of transcription . The protein helps to resolve transcriptional arrest by inducing RNA polymerase II to cleave the nascent RNA, allowing transcription to resume. This activity is essential for maintaining the fidelity and efficiency of gene expression.
The cDNA for human TCEA1 has been successfully cloned and expressed in bacterial systems, such as E. coli, using the T7 expression system . This recombinant protein is nearly identical to its native counterpart, with minor differences in the amino-terminal region that do not affect its functional properties. The recombinant TCEA1 has been shown to exist as a dimer in solution and retains its ability to stimulate transcription elongation by RNA polymerase II .
TCEA1 is vital for the proper regulation of gene expression. During transcription elongation, RNA polymerase II can encounter obstacles that cause it to pause or arrest. TCEA1 helps to overcome these obstacles by promoting the cleavage of the nascent RNA, allowing transcription to continue. This function is particularly important in the context of cellular stress and DNA damage, where efficient transcriptional responses are necessary for cell survival and adaptation.
Recombinant TCEA1 has been utilized in various research applications to study the mechanisms of transcription elongation and its regulation. It serves as a valuable tool for dissecting the molecular interactions between RNA polymerase II and other transcription factors. Additionally, understanding the role of TCEA1 in transcriptional regulation has implications for diseases such as cancer, where dysregulation of gene expression is a common feature .
