Transcription Elongation Factor SPT4 (SUPT4H1) Human Recombinant Protein

This gene encodes the small subunit of DRB (5,6-dichloro-1-beta-d-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole) sensitivity-inducing factor (DSIF) complex, which regulates mRNA processing and transcription elongation by RNA polymerase II. The encoded protein is localized to the nucleus and interacts with the large subunit (SUPT5H) to form the DSIF complex. Related pseudogenes have been identified on chromosomes 2 and 12. Alternatively spliced transcript variants have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Nov 2012]

SUPT4H1: Component of the DRB sensitivity-inducing factor complex (DSIF complex), which regulates mRNA processing and transcription elongation by RNA polymerase II. DSIF positively regulates mRNA capping by stimulating the mRNA guanylyltransferase activity of RNGTT/CAP1A. DSIF also acts cooperatively with the negative elongation factor complex (NELF complex) to enhance transcriptional pausing at sites proximal to the promoter. Transcriptional pausing may facilitate the assembly of an elongation competent RNA polymerase II complex. DSIF and NELF promote pausing by inhibition of the transcription elongation factor TFIIS/S-II. TFIIS/S-II binds to RNA polymerase II at transcription pause sites and stimulates the weak intrinsic nuclease activity of the enzyme. Cleavage of blocked transcripts by RNA polymerase II promotes the resumption of transcription from the new 3' terminus and may allow repeated attempts at transcription through natural pause sites. DSIF can also positively regulate transcriptional elongation and is required for the efficient activation of transcriptional elongation by the HIV- 1 nuclear transcriptional activator, Tat. DSIF acts to suppress transcriptional pausing in transcripts derived from the HIV-1 LTR and blocks premature release of HIV-1 transcripts at terminator sequences. Belongs to the SPT4 family.

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 17q22

Cellular Component: nucleoplasm; nucleus

Molecular Function: protein binding; zinc ion binding; protein heterodimerization activity; transcription factor activity

Biological Process: transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; chromatin remodeling; regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; viral reproduction; regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent; positive regulation of viral transcription; positive regulation of RNA elongation; RNA elongation from RNA polymerase II promoter; gene expression; positive regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; negative regulation of RNA elongation; negative regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter